acted as an interpreter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acted as an interpreter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who performed the role of an interpreter, facilitating communication between parties who speak different languages. Example: "During the international conference, Maria acted as an interpreter for the delegates from various countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

During negotiations in 1854 with Perry, Manjiro acted as an interpreter.

The Economist

Mr. Konaté has acted as an interpreter for the police and spreads the word about their crime-fighting programs.

The New York Times

A woman from Burkina Faso who lives in Harlem said she had recently acted as an interpreter for a woman from another African country, Mali.

The New York Times

No doubt he remembered the discussions between his father and designers such as George Nelson, the Eames's and Panton, for which he acted as an interpreter.

The Guardian - Arts

Nick Dallman, who left Hungary a few years earlier, acted as an interpreter at one of the refugee camps set up in Wythenshawe in 1956.

The Guardian

After hostilities had ended, Judt acted as an interpreter for volunteers on the Golan Heights, though he began to lose his faith.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The guide will act as an interpreter if no one in a shop speaks English.

The New York Times - Travel

Skeptical, but armed with a Japanese-speaking Canadian I had befriended to act as an interpreter, I went.

The New York Times

She is always at the hotel when students are working to act as an interpreter and assist the hotel staff.

The New York Times

He quickly outgrew childhood self-consciousness about signing in public and would sometimes act as an interpreter in school or at church.

The New York Times

Janssen Valencia, a police officer who acts as an interpreter and occasionally as a radio counselor for Hispanic laborers here, urges them to hide their money and vary their walking patterns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acted as an interpreter", ensure the context clearly indicates which languages were involved to provide a complete understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid vague statements by specifying the languages interpreted. For instance, instead of "He acted as an interpreter", specify "He acted as an interpreter between English and Japanese" to eliminate any potential confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acted as an interpreter" functions as a verb phrase indicating the performance of a specific role. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing someone who facilitated communication between individuals or groups speaking different languages. The phrase often implies a temporary or situational role.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acted as an interpreter" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe someone who facilitated communication between individuals speaking different languages. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and useful in various contexts. While "acted as an interpreter" isn't exceptionally frequent, appearing as "Uncommon", it is mainly used in News & Media. Keep in mind that when using the phrase, you might want to indicate the specific languages involved to ensure clarity. You can consider using alternatives like "served as an interpreter" or "functioned as an interpreter" for a different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

served as an interpreter

Replaces "acted" with "served", offering a more formal tone.

functioned as an interpreter

Substitutes "acted" with "functioned", emphasizing the role's practical purpose.

worked as an interpreter

Replaces "acted" with "worked", highlighting the effort involved in interpreting.

provided interpretation services

Uses a more formal and service-oriented phrasing.

translated orally

Focuses on the method of interpretation.

facilitated communication

Broadens the description beyond just language interpretation.

bridged the language gap

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the role.

rendered interpretation

Emphasizes the act of transforming speech from one language to another.

performed interpreting duties

Highlights the responsibilities associated with the interpreter role.

undertook the role of interpreter

Formal and emphasizes the assumption of responsibility.

FAQs

What does "acted as an interpreter" mean?

It means someone facilitated communication between people who speak different languages by converting spoken words from one language into another.

What can I say instead of "acted as an interpreter"?

You can use alternatives like "served as an interpreter", "functioned as an interpreter", or "provided interpretation services depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "acted as a translator" instead of "acted as an interpreter"?

While both involve converting language, "interpreter" typically refers to spoken language, and "translator" refers to written language. However, in some contexts, they can be used interchangeably, as the examples in Ludwig suggest.

How to use "acted as an interpreter" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's role in facilitating communication, such as "During the negotiation, she "acted as an interpreter" between the two parties."