While interpreters and translators both mold language to convey meaning, they shape it in distinct ways.

Sign-language interpreters rely on a set of quick hands to relay a speaker’s words to a hearing-impaired audience.

"To be fluent [in sign language], that takes years," says Janet Bailey, former government affairs representative for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Another set of interpreters works in spoken language. Some settings require both fluency in a second language and the ability to interpret that language in relation to a field rich in its own terminology. For example, those assisting non-English speaking individuals in a court room must have a concrete understanding of legal lingo, just as those working in a hospital should be well-versed in medical terms.

Translators rely on the power of a precise pen to convert written materials from one language to another. The aim is to make the cross-language version a carbon copy of its original, which requires accurately recording the facts while retaining as much of the style and structure as possible. While interpreters work in schools, hospitals, courtrooms and conference centers, translators often work from home. Having a knack for marketing is beneficial for freelance interpreters and translators seeking to broaden their clientele.

As diversity in the U.S. increases and globalization continues at a breakneck pace, so will the demand for spoken-language interpreters. Job prospects are especially bright for those fluent in Chinese, German, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish. Sign-language interpreters should also expect an employment boom, thanks to the popularity of video relay, a Skype-like service that enables people who are deaf to communicate with interpreters online. Greater interaction and trade among people throughout the globe and continued demand for military interpreters and translators should also pave the way for increased employment in this field for years to come.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.3% employment growth for interpreters and translators between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 3,000 jobs should open up.

Interpreters and translators typically need a bachelor’s degree and proficiency in at least two languages.

Organizations such as the American Translators Association and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf offer various optional certifications that can allow interpreters and translators to demonstrate their proficiency. Given the formal education, certification and any applicable state regulations, becoming an interpreter or translator can be an involved process. While a formal education is becoming increasingly important, those seeking to enter the field must, above all else, be fluent in English and another language.