Words Can Be Delightfully Tricky, Don’t You Think?

Words can be delightfully tricky, don’t you think?
It’s not just me—you’ve probably come across moments like this in your own life too, where people swap words, unknowingly. I’ve seen it so many times. Like when someone says, “Talk to my lawyer,” when they actually mean advocate. Or when people mix up a translator with an interpreter, or use “CV” and “resume” like they’re the same thing.

Words can be delightfully tricky, don’t you think?

It might seem like no big deal at first—but the truth is, words carry weight. And sometimes, using the wrong one doesn’t just sound off—it can throw off your entire message, or worse, make you sound less credible than you really are.

I’ve made these mistakes myself. We all have. Because we speak and write every day, but rarely do we pause to ask: “Am I using the right word?”

So in this article, I’m sharing a few word pairs that trip up not just translators or language professionals—but just about everyone. These are the little mix-ups that happen in conversations, meetings, applications, or even casual chats. And once you understand the difference? You’ll never unseen it.

Don’t Be Confused Between These Words (It Happens!)

Next time, don’t say something like, ‘Let me talk to my lawyer,’ like in the movies – they can’t save you from the court, because a lawyer isn’t an advocate.

What’s the difference between a lawyer and an advocate?

A lawyer is anyone who’s studied law and earned the credentials. They can advise you, draft contracts, or handle paperwork — basically, They’re your legal all-rounder.

An advocate, though? That’s a lawyer who’s leveled up to argue cases in court. So, while all advocates are lawyers, not every lawyer is an advocate — some stick to desks, not courtrooms. Legally speaking, the line’s real: “advocate” often carries a specific meaning in places like India, where it’s tied to courtroom action under laws like the Advocates Act.

Makes sense, right?

What’s the Difference Between a Linguist and a Translator? Let’s find out.

A translator works with written content, converting it from one language to another—like turning an English article into Hindi. A linguist studies how language works—its structure, history, and grammar—and may not translate at all.

In fact, a linguist can specialize in just one language. But a translator must be fluent in two—the source and the target—because their job is to carry meaning across cultures, not just words.

Translator vs. Interpreter: What’s the Deal?

A translator is your go-to for written content—like brochures, websites, or reports—converting text from one language to another with precision and strong writing skills. An interpreter, on the other hand, works live—handling spoken language in real-time, whether it’s a multilingual Zoom meeting or an on-site conference.

In short: written words need a translator. Spoken conversations need an interpreter. That’s the line between them!

Editor vs. Proofreader: Who Does What, Exactly?

An editor focuses on the big picture-improving clarity, structure, flow, and tone to make sure your writing works as a whole. A proofreader comes in at the final stage, catching surface-level errors like typos, punctuation slips, and grammar mistakes. Both roles are essential, just at different points in the writing process.

Copywriter or Content Writer? Here’s What Makes Them Different

A content writer creates blogs, articles, and informative pieces — like this one. A copywriter focuses on punchy, persuasive writing — ads, taglines, and website headlines. Both play distinct but important roles, depending on whether the goal is to inform or to persuade.

Subtitling vs. Transcription: Know the Real Difference

Subtitling and transcription both turn speech into text, but they’re not twins. Transcription captures every word—pauses, repeats, and all—usually in the same language, like a raw written log. Subtitling, though, is for watching: it edits speech into short, clear lines, synced to a video, and can stay in the original language or be translated. While transcription is about documenting, subtitling makes dialogue pop on screen, timed just right.

Language vs. Dialect: What’s the Real Difference?

Understanding the difference between a language and a dialect is crucial — especially if you work in the field of translation. A language is a complete communication system, like Hindi, Punjabi, or Marathi. A dialect, on the other hand, is a regional or cultural variation of that language — often reflecting how people actually speak in daily life. In translation, choosing between language and dialect isn’t just a technical decision — it’s a strategic one. If you’re translating a novel, you might lean into dialects to stay true to the characters and setting. But for legal or official documents, you’ll need to use a standardized, formal version of the language.

Resume vs. CV: What’s the Difference?

A resume is a brief, targeted document that highlights your most relevant work experience, skills, and qualifications — usually limited to one or two pages. It’s commonly used for job applications in the private sector, especially where employers are looking for concise information tailored to a specific role.

A CV (Curriculum Vitae), on the other hand, is more comprehensive. It includes a detailed overview of your academic background, professional experience, research, publications, awards, and more. CVs are often required for academic, research, or international job applications, where a full record of professional history is expected.

At the End of the Day… Words Matter. Especially when you’re talking to an audience in a different language, region, or culture.

That’s why at Verbshine, we don’t just translate — we go deeper. We look at the meaning, the emotion, the audience. And we make sure your message doesn’t get lost — it gets brighter. Need to say something right, in the right language?

We’re here to help. Drop us a message, or just say hi — we love talking words.