interpreter
person who translates spoken language
A person who quickly changes spoken or signed words from one language into another language so people can talk to each other.
[someone] works as an interpreter for [language/people]
- We hired an interpreter to help with the meeting in Tokyo.
- The president spoke in Spanish, and the interpreter repeated his words in English.
- She works as a sign language interpreter at the hospital.
- Please speak slowly so the interpreter can keep up.
- During the trial, a court interpreter translated every question and answer for the defendant.
- I need an interpreter because I do not speak German.
- He is an interpreter for English and Chinese.
- The doctor talks, and the interpreter tells the patient the same thing in Spanish.
- They used a sign language interpreter at the concert.
- My sister wants to be an interpreter when she finishes school.
program that executes source code
A computer program that reads your code and runs it line by line, without making a separate program file first.
[code] runs in an interpreter
- The Python interpreter crashed when it hit a bug in the extension module.
- This language is usually run in an interpreter rather than compiled.
- You can test small code snippets quickly in the interactive interpreter.
- The script is slow because it runs through an interpreter instead of native machine code.
- Our tool embeds a JavaScript interpreter for user-defined rules.
- You must install the Python interpreter before you run this script.
- The code runs in an interpreter, so you do not need to compile it.
- An interpreter reads your program and does each step immediately.
- Many beginners start with a language that uses an interpreter.
- The online interpreter lets you try the code in your browser.
person who explains or assigns meaning
A person who says what something means or how we should understand it, for example a text, a picture, a law, or a dream.
an interpreter of [texts/art/law/data]
- She is widely respected as a subtle interpreter of modern poetry.
- The judge must act as an interpreter of the law, not as a lawmaker.
- As an interpreter of data, he warned that the numbers were being misused.
- For many fans, he is the finest interpreter of Shakespeare on stage today.
- The prophet was seen as an interpreter of dreams and signs.
- The teacher is an interpreter of old stories for young students.
- Critics called her a great interpreter of classical music.
- The lawyer is an interpreter of the law for her clients.
- He works as an interpreter of data in a research group.
- In that village, the old woman was an interpreter of dreams.
- Base: interpreter
- Plural: interpreters
conference interpreter
1interpreter at conferences and meetings
An interpreter who translates at big meetings or conferences, often speaking at the same time as the main speaker.
- She is a conference interpreter who specializes in medical topics.
- Conference interpreters must prepare carefully by reading all the background documents.
court interpreter
1interpreter working in court
An interpreter who translates spoken language in a court, for example during a trial or hearing.
- The defendant spoke only Spanish, so a court interpreter was provided.
- She trained for years before becoming a certified court interpreter.
professional interpreter
1trained interpreter who does it for work
An interpreter who has training and usually certificates, and who is paid to interpret as their job.
- For legal matters you should always use a professional interpreter.
- The company prefers to hire professional interpreters rather than ask staff to translate.
sign language interpreter
1person translating sign and speech
A person who changes sign language into spoken language, and spoken language into sign language, so deaf and hearing people can talk to each other.
- A sign language interpreter stood next to the mayor during the press conference.
- The concert will include a sign language interpreter for deaf audience members.
simultaneous interpreter
1interpreter translating with no delay
An interpreter who speaks in the other language at almost the same time as the original speaker, without waiting for pauses.
- As a simultaneous interpreter, he works in a soundproof booth with headphones.
- Simultaneous interpreters need excellent concentration and very quick thinking.