This is called consecutive interpretation. In these situations, interpreters take notes of what is being said and give the interpretation when the speaker stops. Interpreters for the deaf or hearing impaired translate spoken language into sign language and vice versa. In this way deaf and hearing people can communicate. When possible, interpreters study the topic of the speech before they interpret.
Translators convert written materials from one language to another.
They translate items such as government documents, manuals, and legal documents. In general, translators specialize in the type of material they translate. This way, they limit their work to areas in which they have knowledge, such as medicine or computers. Projects can range from several hundred words to several hundred pages in length. Translators often use dictionaries and other reference books while they are working.