Interpreter
つうやく
Industry & Occupation
Classification
Summary
A professional who mediates oral communication between different languages, providing instant translation in diverse settings such as conferences, business negotiations, guiding foreign visitors to Japan, and more.
Description
Interpreters orally convey the speaker's statements into another language to facilitate communication across cultures. They are primarily classified into simultaneous and consecutive interpreters, working in various fields such as international conferences, business negotiations, guide interpreting, court interpreting, medical interpreting, and more. In addition to advanced language proficiency, they require knowledge of specialized terminology, quick decision-making, and stress tolerance. During preparation, they create terminology lists and conduct prior research on materials; during the actual event, they convey information with accurate and natural expressions. Work styles vary, including freelance, employment at interpreting agencies, in-house corporate interpreting, and government positions, with cross-cultural understanding and interpersonal skills also being essential.
Future Outlook
Due to advancing globalization and the proliferation of online conferences, demand for interpreters is steadily expanding. While there is competition from AI translation technology, the role of human interpreters remains crucial in contexts requiring advanced expertise and nuanced understanding.
Personality Traits
Calm and Composed / Cooperative / Curious and Inquisitive / High Concentration / Strong Sense of Responsibility
Work Style
Dispatch Contract / Freelance / In-house Interpreter / Interpreting/Translation Agency Employment / Remote Interpreting
Career Path
Junior Interpreter → Senior Interpreter → Freelance Interpreter → Interpreter Coordinator/Project Manager → Translator
Required Skills
Consecutive Interpretation / Listening Ability / Note-taking / Simultaneous Interpretation
Recommended Skills
Cross-cultural Understanding / Interpreting Support Tools / Multilingual Support / Prior Knowledge in Specialized Fields
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Adaptability | Because flexible adaptation to changes in situations, speakers, and language styles is necessary. |
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | Because mistranslation of subtle nuances or specialized terms can be fatal. |
| Communication Skills | Because smooth two-way information transmission is necessary. |
| Learning Agility & Knowledge Acquisition | Because continuous learning of new specialized terms and cultural backgrounds is necessary. |
| Problem Solving | Because the ability to quickly respond to unexpected terms or phrasing is necessary. |
| Stress Tolerance | Because sustained concentration for long periods in high-tension situations is necessary. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Numerical & Quantitative Analysis | Because mathematical analysis is hardly required. |
Related Qualifications
- Interpreter Proficiency Test Level 1
- Licensed Guide Interpreter
- United Nations English Proficiency Test Special A Grade
Aliases
- Interpreter
- Oral Interpreter
Related Jobs
- Consecutive Interpreter
- Sign Language Interpreter
- Simultaneous Interpreter
- Translator