口译是一种翻译活动，在这种活动中，一个人在一次接触源语言表达的基础上产生第一个和最后一个翻译。最常见的两种口译模式是同声传译（在接触源语言时进行）和连续传译（在接触源语言时进行）。口译是一种古老的人类活动，早于文字的发明[1]然而，口译这一职业的起源可以追溯到不到一个世纪以前。
Interpreting is a translational activity in which one produces a first and final translation on the basis of a one-time exposure to an expression in a source language.The most common two modes of interpreting are simultaneous interpreting, which is done at the time of the exposure to the source language, and consecutive interpreting, which is done at breaks to this exposure.Interpreting is an ancient human activity which predates the invention of writing.[1] However, the origins of the profession of interpreting date back to less than a century ago.
