1

Career Overview: Interpreting and Translating

Dsfdsfdsf dfdsfsd

X
By Courteney
Clark
 2

Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………….…………………………3

Responsibilities of Interpreters and Translators…………………………………………3

Educational Requirements……………………………………………………………………….3-4

Wages…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..4

Work Environment…………………………………………………………………………….…….4-5

Job Outlook………………………………………………………………………………………………5-6

Similar Occupations………………………………………………………………………….…………6

Conclusion…………………………………….………………………………………………….…………6

Works Cited…………………………………………………………………………………………………7
 3

Introduction
This white paper presents information and employment projections for individuals
interested in a career in interpreting and translating. The following sections explain
responsibilities for interpreters and translators, educational requirements, average
wage, work environment, job outlook, and similar occupations for this position.

Responsibilities of Interpreters and Translators

Interpreters and translators convert information from one language into another
language. Interpreters work with verbal language and sign language while translators
work with written languages. Some common responsibilities include converting
information from one language to another, compiling information into databases, and
maintaining fluency in at least two languages.

Interpreters
Interpreters convert information from one spoken language into another. The
purpose of an interpreter is to ensure people hear the interpretation as if it were the
original language. Three common modes of interpreting are simultaneous,
consecutive, and whispered.
 Simultaneous interpreters listen and speak at the same time someone is
speaking. This requires a high level of fluency, concentration, and
understanding of the subject matter.
 Consecutive interpreters begin interpreting after the speaker has
finished speaking.
 Whispered interpreters sit closely to listeners and provide a
simultaneous interpretation in a quiet voice.

Translators
Translators convert written information from one language into another. The
purpose of translators is converting information that allows people read the
translation as if it were the original source. Translators must be able to maintain the
original structure, style, ideas, and facts of the original text. All cultural references,
slang, idioms, or other expressions that don’t have a literal translation must be
transmitted as well.

Educational Requirements
Interpreters and translators come from a variety of educational backgrounds and have
numerous educational options. The one essentiality is they be fluent in English and
 4

one other language. Interested individuals should take a variety of courses, including
English writing and comprehension, foreign languages, and computer proficiency.
Many jobs require a Bachelor’s, although majoring in a language is not always
required. An educational background in a specific field of study can provide a natural
area of subject-matter expertise.
Though it’s not a requirement, individuals interested in interpreting or translating
could improve their qualifications by engaging in activities that support this career.
Individuals could spend time in a foreign country or read a variety of subjects in a
foreign language. Community volunteer opportunities, such as using sign language to
work with deaf people, also may be beneficial to building experience.

Wages Figure 1
The mean annual wage for
interpreters and translators Interpreters and Translators
was $48,360 in 2015, with
the lowest wage being about Mean Wage in the U.S.
$23,000 and the highest
estimating $78,000.1 Wages IDAHO $35,040
Location

are determined by language, OREGON $41,780

specialty, experience, and
NATIONAL $48,360
education. Figure 1 shows a
comparison of mean wages $0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000
earned for interpreters and Yearly Salary in U.S. Dollars
translators in Idaho, Oregon,
and nationally. Figure 1 represents the mean wages in Idaho, Oregon, and nationally
as of 2015. Information obtained through Bureau Labor of Statistics. 1

Work Environment
Interpreters and translators can work in a variety of fields and environments.
Interpreters work in settings such as schools, conferences, hospitals, and courtrooms.
Translators typically work from home, and about one in five interpreters and
translators were self-employed in 2014. Self-employed interpreters and translators
have irregular hours, with fluctuations of available work. Some common positions for
interpreters and translators include:
 Community Interpreters: work in a community-based environment and
provide vital interpretation one-on-one or in small groups. Community
interpreters typically work at parent-teacher conferences, immigration
courts, social security offices, and many other community settings.
 5

 Conference Interpreters: work at conferences with non-English-

speaking attendees. Attendees at a conference who don’t understand
the language of the speaker wear earphones tuned to the interpreter
who interprets the information.
 Health and Medical Interpreters and Translators: work in healthcare
settings and help patients communicate with medical staff members.
Interpretation is frequently provided remotely by video or over the
phone. Translators work with informational brochures, materials that
patients must read and sign, and patients’ records.
 Escort Interpreters: accompany U.S. visitors when traveling abroad or
foreign visitors in the United States. Interpreters work in formal and
informal settings and travel frequently.
 Legal Interpreters and Translators: work in courtrooms during hearings,
arraignments, depositions, and trials.
 Literary Translators: typically work from home to convert literary works
from one language into another. Assignments are received digitally
usually translated with a computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool that
uses previously translated segments to form new text.

Job Outlook Figure 2

According to the Bureau
Labor of Statistics, Interpreters and Translators
employment is projected to Projected Employment Outlook
grow 29% from 2014 to 2024, 100,000
a much quicker rate than the 78,600
NUMER OF JOBS

80,000
average for occupations.1 60,000
Figure 2 represents the 40,000
61,000
growth rate. Demand is
20,000
expected to remain strong
0
for interpreters and 2014 2024
translators who speak YEAR
fluently in popular
languages, such as French, Figure two represents the expected growth rate of employment for
German, Russian, Spanish, interpreters and translators in the next decade. Information obtained
through Bureau Labor of Statistics. 1
Chinese, and Japanese.

The employment growth rate reflects an increase in globalization, diversity in the

United States, and international trade. There is an ever-present need for military and
national security that is expected to result in more jobs as well. Emerging Asian and
 6

African markets will increase the need for interpreting and translating languages of
these continents.

Figure 3

Similar Positions Similar Occupations Mean Salary

Similar positions include $80,000
$70,240
transcriber, writer or author,
$60,250
technical writer, elementary $60,000 $54,550 $57,200

school teacher, or high school

teacher. Figure 3 shows the $40,000 $34,890

mean salary of these similar

$20,000
positions.
$0
Transcriber Elementary High School Writer or Technical
Conclusion School
Teacher
Teacher Author Writer

With so many fields to apply Figure 3 shows the national mean salary of occupations similar to
interpreting and translating as of 2015. Information obtained through
to and skills to be gained,
the Bureau Labor of Statistics.1
there is a place for anyone
who wants to become an
interpreter or translator. Interpreting and translating offers the opportunity to put an
interest in languages to use. For more information on how you can start your career as
an interpreter or translator, visit the University of Idaho Career Center.
 7

Works Cited
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2015, Interpreters and Translators, on the Internet at
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/interpreters-and-
translators.htm (visited February 7, 2017).