Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'interpreter'

English Word: interpreter

Key Russian Translations:

• переводчик [pʲɪrʲɪˈvodʲɪk] - [Formal, Used for human language interpreters]
• интерпретатор [ɪnʲtʲɛrpʲrʲɪˈtator] - [Formal, Often used in computing or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in professional and everyday contexts, especially in international communication)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'переводчик', it's B2, while 'интерпретатор' may be C1 due to its technical connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

переводчик: [pʲɪrʲɪˈvodʲɪk]

интерпретатор: [ɪnʲtʲɛrpʲrʲɪˈtator]

Note on переводчик: The stress is on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation, making it softer and more palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who translates spoken language in real-time (e.g., in conferences or meetings)

Translation(s) & Context:

• переводчик - Used in formal settings like diplomacy or business, emphasizing oral interpretation.
• интерпретатор - Less common for human interpreters; more for simultaneous translation in professional environments.

Usage Examples:

• В конференции участвовал опытный переводчик, который помогал с переводом речей. (At the conference, an experienced interpreter assisted with translating speeches.)

  Translation: At the conference, an experienced interpreter assisted with translating speeches.

• Мой друг работает переводчиком в ООН, где он ежедневно общается с делегациями. (My friend works as an interpreter at the UN, where he communicates with delegations daily.)

  Translation: My friend works as an interpreter at the UN, where he communicates with delegations daily.

• Переводчик должен обладать не только знаниями языков, но и культурной осведомлённостью. (An interpreter must possess not only language skills but also cultural awareness.)

  Translation: An interpreter must possess not only language skills but also cultural awareness.

• Во время поездки за границу я нанял переводчика, чтобы избежать недоразумений. (During my trip abroad, I hired an interpreter to avoid misunderstandings.)

  Translation: During my trip abroad, I hired an interpreter to avoid misunderstandings.

• Переводчик в суде обеспечивает точность в передаче показаний свидетелей. (The interpreter in court ensures accuracy in relaying witness testimonies.)

  Translation: The interpreter in court ensures accuracy in relaying witness testimonies.

Meaning 2: In computing, a program that executes instructions directly (e.g., an interpreter for a programming language)

Translation(s) & Context:

• интерпретатор - Primarily used in technical contexts, such as software development.
• переводчик - Rarely used for this meaning; stick to 'интерпретатор' to avoid confusion.

Usage Examples:

• Python использует интерпретатор для выполнения кода в реальном времени. (Python uses an interpreter to execute code in real-time.)

  Translation: Python uses an interpreter to execute code in real-time.

• Разработчик настроил интерпретатор для отладки программы. (The developer set up the interpreter for debugging the program.)

  Translation: The developer set up the interpreter for debugging the program.

• Интерпретатор JavaScript обрабатывает скрипты на веб-страницах. (The JavaScript interpreter processes scripts on web pages.)

  Translation: The JavaScript interpreter processes scripts on web pages.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'переводчик' and 'интерпретатор' are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard third-declension patterns for animate nouns. 'Переводчик' is more common and has regular inflections, while 'интерпретатор' is similar but may vary slightly in technical usage.

For 'интерпретатор', the inflections are identical in structure: Nominative singular: интерпретатор; Plural: интерпретаторы; etc. These nouns do not change in gender but must agree in case with other words in the sentence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • толмач (more archaic, often for informal or historical interpreters)
  • оратор (with a nuance towards public speaking, not exact synonym)
• Antonyms:
  • непереводчик (not a standard word, but conceptually, someone who does not interpret)

Related Phrases:

• Устный переводчик (Oral interpreter) - Refers to someone who provides real-time spoken translation.
• Синхронный переводчик (Simultaneous interpreter) - Used in conferences for instant translation via headsets.
• Компьютерный интерпретатор (Computer interpreter) - A program that interprets code, common in programming.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'переводчик' is the most direct equivalent for a human interpreter and is preferred in everyday and professional contexts, while 'интерпретатор' is better for technical or computing scenarios. Be aware of the grammatical gender (masculine) and always decline the noun according to the sentence case. For English speakers, note that Russian often distinguishes between oral (устный) and written (письменный) translation, so specify if needed. When choosing between translations, use 'переводчик' for general purposes and 'интерпретатор' for precision in tech fields.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'переводчик' interchangeably with 'перевод' (translation), which is a noun for the act, not the person. Correct: Say 'Он — переводчик' (He is an interpreter) instead of 'Он — перевод' (which means 'He is a translation').

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying 'Я видел переводчик' instead of 'Я видел переводчика' in accusative case. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; always check the sentence structure for accuracy.

• Error: Confusing with 'интерпретер' (a direct borrowing, but not standard); use 'интерпретатор' for computing. Correct example: 'Интерпретатор Python' instead of 'Интерпретер Python'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, interpreters like 'переводчик' play a significant role in history, such as during the Soviet era for international diplomacy. The term can carry connotations of bridge-building between cultures, reflecting Russia's multilingual heritage, especially in regions like the Caucasus where multiple languages are spoken.

Related Concepts:

• язык (language)
• перевод (translation)
• лингвист (linguist)