TEXT 1. A TRANSLATOR OR AN INTERPRETER?
An English professor studied these two jobs, and the text below describes his conclusions. Do they confirm or contradict your own ideas?
The results refined some traditional stereotypes: one that translators were bookish, painstakingly slow but thorough and correct in the use of written words, and made use of long-term memories, whereas interpreters were outgoing and eloquent,
had to show empathy towards other people, were quick, intuitive and approximate, and thus made use of short-term memory strategies; another that interpreting is predominantly a young woman's occupation, while translating concerns all ages,
including over 50-year-old starters, with many transfers coming from a multitude of other professions.
The author explains that the two activities cannot be compared, since both present different approaches to treating language and problem-solving: the translator has to apply perseverance and patience, consult subject specialists and sleep on the problem until it is resolved. By contrast, the interpreter, living on his/her wits, is required to perform a sudden reflex reaction and provide the first reasonable answer that comes to mind, otherwise ignore the difficulty and carry on.
Ultimately, Henderson found no evidence as to which factors are of major importance when recruiting future professional linguists. A too perfectionist translator would be low in productivity and not very cost-effective; a glib extrovert interpreter could not work effectively in a team.