What is the difference between a interpreter and translator?

The following Translator Q & A is part of our Translator FAQ Series.

Question: What is the difference between a interpreter and translator?

Answer: An interpreter helps clients convert what is said in one language into another language on an auditory level while a translator takes text written in on language and helps convert that into text of another language.

While it seems like these two skills and work areas of translators and interpreters may seem similar most professionals do not work within both areas as they take different skills and specialized abilities.

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