Interpreters & Translators
Interpreter, Medical Interpreter, Sign Language Interpreter, Translator
What they do:
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
On the job, you would:
- 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.
Knowledge
Arts and Humanities
- English language
- foreign language
Business
- customer service
- administrative services
Education and Training
- teaching and course design
Safety and Government
- public safety and security
Skills
Basic Skills
- talking to others
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Abilities
Verbal
- communicate by speaking
- listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
- order or arrange things
- notice when problems happen
Attention
- pay attention to something without being distracted
- do two or more things at the same time
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Independence
- Cooperation
- Self Control
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Web platform development software
- Extensible hypertext markup language XHTML
- Hypertext markup language HTML
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Foreign language software
- AceTools.biz Ace Translator
- Stormdance CatsCradle
Education
Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
master's degree
usually needed
master's degree
usually needed
Job Outlook
Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Explore More
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, & English as a Second Language Instructors
- English Language & Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Foreign Language & Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about interpreters and translators.