serve as an interpreter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serve as an interpreter" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who translates between two languages. For example, "After taking courses in Spanish, I was asked to serve as an interpreter for a meeting between a Spanish company and an American company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Mr. Huang, who had already secretly joined the Communist Party, agreed to serve as an interpreter.

The New York Times

Ms. Stark had recruited another newly arrived Syrian refugee to serve as an interpreter during labor.

The New York Times

The second tobacco insider was Jeffrey Wigand, a former Brown & Williamson scientist who also had incriminating information, and who could serve as an interpreter of the Williams documents.

The New Yorker

But in 1970, when Mr. Snow was preparing to travel to Beijing to meet again with Mao, Mr. Huang was called back to Beijing to serve as an interpreter and accompany Mr. Snow around the country.

The New York Times

At the clinic, Sun relied on Evelyn Kamgang, a fellow volunteer who spoke French, to serve as an interpreter for him with the doctors and nurses, who spoke French and Wolof, the local language.

Columbia University

The day after seeing the Shah, I drove, with an Iranian friend who had agreed to serve as an interpreter, to Qum, a religious center with a population of roughly two hundred and fifty thousand, about seventy-five milesouthth of Teheran.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

When Americans visit, she serves as an interpreter.

The New York Times

He played a crucial role in the rescue, serving as an interpreter for divers.

The New York Times

He appears to have served as an interpreter for French and British military units.

The Guardian

"It was very puzzling at that time," he said through a friend serving as an interpreter.

The New York Times - Sports

He also serves as an interpreter for those who speak Spanish only.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serve as an interpreter", ensure the context clearly indicates the languages or parties between whom the interpretation is occurring.

Common error

Avoid using "serve as an interpreter" when the primary role involves more than just interpretation, such as negotiation or cultural mediation, unless interpretation is a significant part of the function. In those cases, it's better to clarify all the roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serve as an interpreter" functions as a verb phrase that describes the role or capacity in which someone is acting. It indicates that the individual is providing a service by converting spoken or written language from one language to another. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serve as an interpreter" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone facilitating communication between different languages. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples highlight its usage across various contexts, primarily in news, academic settings, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "act as a translator" or "work as a translator" exist, "serve as an interpreter" often implies a more general or voluntary role. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the languages involved and that the role is primarily focused on interpretation rather than broader communication functions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act as a translator

Focuses more on the direct translation aspect, less on the broader role.

interpret conversations

Specifically refers to interpreting spoken communication.

work as a translator

Emphasizes the professional aspect of translation work.

translate orally

Focuses specifically on oral translation.

render translation assistance

Formal way of expressing providing translation help.

provide interpretation services

Highlights the service provided rather than the role.

offer language interpretation

Highlights the offering of language services.

function as a liaison

Broader term that suggests facilitating communication, not strictly linguistic.

mediate communication

Focuses on the act of mediating rather than the professional role.

facilitate dialogue

Emphasizes enabling a conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "serve as an interpreter" in a sentence?

You can use "serve as an interpreter" to describe someone who facilitates communication between people who speak different languages. For example, "She agreed to serve as an interpreter during the business meeting".

What's a more formal way to say "serve as an interpreter"?

More formal alternatives include "provide interpretation services" or "render translation assistance".

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

You can use alternatives like "act as a translator", "work as a translator", or "function as a liaison" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "serve as an interpreter" or "work as an interpreter"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and usable, but "work as an interpreter" often implies a professional or paid role, whereas "serve as an interpreter" can suggest a more voluntary or occasional role.