noun
interpreter (historical); interpretation
Primarily refers to interpreters of Dutch and Chinese during the Edo period. The 'interpretation' sense is less common and often covered by 通訳.
江戸時代、長崎の通詞はオランダ語の通訳を務めた。
During the Edo period, interpreters in Nagasaki handled Dutch translation.
この文書の通事は正確だった。
The interpretation of this document was accurate.
noun
court interpreter (obsolete)
Obsolete term for a court interpreter; replaced by 通訳人 in modern usage.
See also: 通訳人
かつて宮中には通辞が置かれていた。
In the past, court interpreters were stationed at the imperial court.
Compound of 通 (pass through, communicate) and 詞/事/辞 (words, matter, language). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term was institutionalized during the Edo period for official interpreters.