Most people seem to think that being fully bilingual should be enough to become an interpreter of the two or more languages known or used. However, that is not always the case. The fact is, interpreting is an innate skill that allows certain individuals to capture and convey the meaning of what is being said, in its proper context, rather than try to translate word for word, and pass the LITERAL translation of the dialog.

Others think that by attending a university and specializing in interpreting should be enough. It is enough to land a job because of the credentials, but in real life those credentials fail miserably. One acquires proficiency as an interpreter by being exposed on a regular basis to the different languages and after learning the subtle nuances of certain words, in a specific context.

Big business has learned - the hard way - that simply translating words is not good enough to market a product in a different country or culture. GM Motors failed to sell in Latin America their new NOVA vehicle, which was a success in the USA and other English speaking countries. You may ask 'Why?'

Simply because when translated into Spanish, Nova is pronounced as 'no va', which means: "It doesn't go".

As Canadians we see examples on a daily basis of how certain commercials simply do not use the same words in French to promote a certain product. This is because the message must convey the intended meaning for the French culture, and not the word by word translation.

There's a common misconception that translation and interpretation are the same. That is not the case. The former relates to printed text while the other deals with the spoken word.

The greatest difference is that a translator has the opportunity to revise and edit his translated work, whereas the interpreter does not, especially during simultaneous interpretation.

This brings up the two (or three) types of interpretation: consecutive, where the speaker puts out several statements and makes a pause to allow the interpreter to convey the message to the other party in the other language; simultaneous interpreting, where the interpreter is conveying the message as it's being spoken, keeping pace with the speaker and ensuring no term or idea is missed; and a dubious one because it's similar to simultaneous but it's whispered in the ear of the recipient of the message. All take great effort and talent.

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