Interpreters and Translators
People classed as Interpreters and Translators interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another. The skills rated most useful are speaking, active listening, and reading comprehension. You may also need to follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information. On the six-type interest model it reads CAS, meaning orderly work with data, records and clear procedures comes first, followed by creative work with room for original expression. Getting in usually takes a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience, a level O*NET calls considerable preparation. If you want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures, keep it on your list. If you need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, it may feel thin.
What they do
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Main tasks
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Skills
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like clear rules and getting the details right.
- You want room to make something in your own way.
- You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
- You are comfortable relying on speaking and active listening.
May not suit you if
- You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
- You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.9 out of 7 here.
- You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CAS takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.
Preparation
Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter)
- Court Interpreter
- Educational Interpreter
- Interpreter
- Linguist
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.