口譯是一種翻譯活動，在這種活動中，一個人在一次接觸源語言表達的基礎上產生第一個和最后一個翻譯。最常見的兩種口譯模式是同聲傳譯（在接觸源語言時進行）和連續傳譯（在接觸源語言時進行）。口譯是一種古老的人類活動，早于文字的發明[1]然而，口譯這一職業的起源可以追溯到不到一個世紀以前。

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.