Who does what?
Translator? Simultaneous translator? Linguist? Conference interpreter? Consultant interpreter?
Translation
A translator works with written texts (technical, literary, legal etc.) and normally translates into his mother tongue.
The international association of translators is FIT-IFT.
Interpretation (or interpreting) 
The interpreter provides a solely spoken service and is often wrongly called a translator.
Some interpreters also work as translators but these are two separate professions that call for different skills and training.
The world association of conference interpreters is AIIC.
Consultant interpreter
It is a practising conference interpreter who recruits interpreter teams for his clients. He knows the market and reputable equipment suppliers. He is acquainted with the interpreters' languages, specialisms, their likes and dislikes, and knows just how to recruit a team that will give you genuine value for money.
Conference interpreter
- Is a university graduate with a postgraduate interpreting qualification.
- Is recruited by international organizations (UN, EU, NATO, OSCE, international criminal courts and tribunals) in the public sector or for diplomacy (governments, ministries, national agencies) or in the private sector (companies, federations, associations, trade unions etc.) for congresses and seminars.
- He may interpret simultaneously (in a booth as the speech is given) or consecutively (by taking notes during official speeches, for example and rendering them once the speaker has finished).
- Works as a self-employed freelance or as a staff interpreter with an international organization or ministry or, more rarely, within a company.
Liaison or community interpreting
This is not the same as conference interpreting, and a community interpreter works in national courts, hospitals, police stations or accompanies the client. The training is not as demanding as for conference interpretation.
