intérpretes

Intérpretes is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese that can refer to professionals who render spoken language across languages, musicians who interpret musical works, or computer programs that execute code.

In the context of language services, an intérprete is a professional who conveys meaning from a source language into a target language. Interpreting is used in conferences, courts, hospitals, media, and international meetings. The main modes are simultaneous, consecutive, and whispered (chuchotage). Simultaneous interpreters work in soundproof booths and translate as the speaker talks; consecutive interpreters render the message after the speaker pauses to allow note-taking; whispered interpretation targets a single listener at close range. The field requires high language proficiency, cultural mediation, memory, note-taking skills, and adherence to confidentiality and neutrality. Training and certification vary by country and organization.

In music, intérpretes are performers who bring a composer’s work to life, making interpretive choices about tempo, dynamics, phrasing, and style within the framework of the score and historical practice. Artistic interpretation reflects personal expression while respecting the composer’s indications and the performance tradition. Musicians, conductors, and ensembles work to realize a performance that communicates emotion, structure, and intent to audiences.

In computing, an intérprete (interpreter) is a program that directly executes instructions written in a programming language, translating them on the fly rather than compiling the entire program first. Interpreters enable portability and rapid testing but can be slower than compiled code. They are common in scripting languages such as Python, Ruby, and JavaScript, and may be used alongside compilers or just-in-time (JIT) compilation in many environments.