TRANSLATING (T) and INTERPRETING (I) are truly global linguistic activities, the WRITTEN process of Translating being by far the most common. The ORAL process of professional Interpreting takes several forms. LIAISON or ESCORT INTERPRETING, which usually proceeds sentence by sentence. COMMUNITY INTERPRETING, which is a demanding skill often required by law for the benefit of language- handicapped recent immigrants in their contacts with authorities, education or health workers (Australia, Canada, California). It is taught in graduate courses and involves certification procedures. Furthermore COURT INTERPRETING is a well-defined, specialized activity typically performed in the CONSECUTIVE mode for long stretches, also with certification procedures, occasionally on offer within a formal educational framework (California). Finally CONFERENCE INTERPRETING, notably when performed in the SIMULTANEOUS mode, is an exacting verbal skill preferably taught in post-graduate courses. Academic institutions offering professional T & I training are surveyed, similarities and differences are discussed, including the conceptual and pragmatic borderline between T & I. Future needs and developments, career prospects for intercultural communication, and media work are assessed.
