Origin: Latin prefix trans-
Translator has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
a person who translates written messages from one language to another
"The professional translator carefully converted the legal contract from French into English before sending it to the client."
someone who mediates between speakers of different languages
"The translator helped smooth negotiations by explaining each party's position in their own language."
a program that translates one programming language into another
"The software developer used an automated translator to convert his Python code into C++ without manual rewriting."
A person who translates text, film, or other material into a different natural language.
"The translator converted the French novel into English so readers could enjoy the story in their native tongue."
In plain English: A translator is someone who changes written or spoken language from one form into another so people can understand it.
"The translator worked late to finish converting the legal documents into French before the deadline arrived."
Usage: A translator converts written or spoken content from one language to another, distinct from an interpreter who works with live speech. Use this term for professionals handling documents, subtitles, and books rather than those facilitating real-time conversation.
The word translator comes directly from the Latin trānslātor, which means "one who carries something across." It entered English through French and Middle English with this original sense of moving or transferring meaning from one language to another.