Transcription vs Translation

Is there really a big difference between transcription and translation? Both involve the documenting, or recording of words, so they can be informative to a third party at a later stage. However, the biggest difference between transcription and translation is language.

Transcription is generally a process that involves the same language. For instance, medical notes need to be transcribed in order to accurately provide billing for the services rendered. Transcription is the act of taking one piece of information, and making it clearer for the purposes of directing information at a targeted audience.

Translation involves two or more languages. Translation is the act of taking one language, and repeating the same meaning and context into another language. This can apply to spoken languages such as Spanish and French, just as easily as it can apply to silent languages, like American Sign Language, or any other form of sign language for that matter.

Transcription involves either reading material that is to be transcribed, or listening to a recording of the material, to speed up the process. Translation can be done through writing, or it can be done by on-the-spot verbal communication. Translators are often needed for government officials, for educational purposes, and sometimes for work that involves travel to other countries. School systems often require translators to speak to immigrant parents of students who do not speak the native language.

Transcription is thereby less personal. It is done alone, without the need to become personally involved with the actual individuals of the cases. Translation is often more personal, because, when translating spoken language, part of the job is to accurately express emotion, concern, joy, dismay, and even authority.

Both require some sort of education. The education required for learning transcription is actually very short compared to that of learning to be a translator. Many people become translators when they have grown up in bilingual homes. Others have studied the language for years. Since there is a big difference between the way a language is taught in a book, and how it is often spoken in regular conversation, most translators who study the language often travel to a native country to develop a stronger ’street tongue’.

Both jobs pay reasonably well. Many translators are paid more than the average transcriptionist. For security reasons, many translators need to pass through some of the highest levels of security, in order to maintain their positions with the government.