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For Life
2005.08.22

Hello! It's good to have you back!

We've got an interesting week for you. It's all about taking words from one language and changing them into another. These are highly useful expressions, especially when you don't understand or remember how to say a word in English. Keep them in your “survival English” kit and take them with you wherever you go!

Today's LessonCATEGORY: 混同しやすい言葉
TRANSLATE vs. INTERPRET   翻訳する vs. 通訳する

Explanation

  • To translate is to express the meaning of written or spoken words in another language.

    To interpret is to express the meaning of SPOKEN words in another language.

    A translator is a person whose job is to translate words - especially WRITTEN words - from one language into another.

    An interpreter is a person whose job is to translate SPOKEN words from one language into another.
  • translate とは、書かれた言葉や話された言葉を別の言語で表現する、つまり翻訳するという意味です。

    interpret とは、話された言葉についてのみ用いられ、その内容を他の言語で言い換えること、つまり通訳するという意味です。

    translator は、文章―特に書かれた言葉―についてある言語から別の言語に訳すことを仕事にしている人、つまり翻訳者のことをさします。

    interpreter とは、ある言語で話された言葉を他の言語に訳すことを仕事にしている人、つまり通訳者のことです。

examples

  1. (a manager to his assistant)
    I just received this letter, and it's all in Spanish. Can you translate it for me by 5:00?
  2. Some common Japanese expressions, like “ganbatte” and “yoroshiku”, are surprisingly difficult to translate.
  3. I found some great free software that translates from Korean into English.
  4. I had to interpret for my Japanese in-laws when they met my family. They don't speak a word of English.
  5. I'm training to become a translator. I'd like to work at the United Nations someday.
  6. My sister works as a simultaneous interpreter (= She interprets what someone says as they are speaking) at international medical conferences.

英会話レッスンThanks for coming!