Abstract
This paper describes the vocational aptitude of translators and interpreters who play an important role in international communication. The study focuses on some differences between translators and interpreters in their personalities, interests and achievement motives. Of the 93 subjects, those who were well-adapted to their own jobs were selected (1) by the judgment of their employers and (2) on an objective basis. A discriminant analysis is used to show that there are some quantitative differences in the vocational aptitude of the two groups. The main findings are as follows: Translators (1) have interest in creative writing as well as intercultural communication and (2) are patient. Interpreters (1) have interest in people, verbal communication, mass communication, and journalism, (2) tend to empathize strongly with others, (3) are extroverts and (4) are highly motivated.
