Conference Interpreting
Conference interpreting is divided into two sub-forms: simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.
1) Simultaneous interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting refers to the form of interpreting most frequently used today. Here, the interpreter sits in an interpreting booth and transfers the spoken words into the target language simultaneously with the speaker. The interpreter wears a headset through which he or she hears the speaker; he or she speaks his or her interpretation into a microphone. The listeners have their own headsets through which they receive the interpretation.
This form of interpreting is used for all conferences where classic speeches and presentations are held. Furthermore, this is the ideal solution for all events which aim at getting the audience actively involved.
As simultaneous interpreting requires continuous attention and 100% concentration, simultaneous interpreters always work in pairs or in groups of three for the same language combination. Due to the Brain Performance required during the interpreting process, the only way to achieve high-quality interpretation and, thus, a satisfactory result for the customer is to have the simultaneous interpreters alternate roughly every 30 minutes. After these 30 minutes, the brain needs some rest to be able to meet the high requirements of the interpreting process again afterwards.
In general, simultaneous interpreting provides you as the customer with the following two benefits:
1. Due to the simultaneous transfer of your words into the target language, the time schedule of the event can be kept to. In contrast to consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting guarantees the smooth running of your conference or meeting without any delays in time. This also applies if some participants ask questions or would like to get actively involved; everything that is said is translated into the other language immediately.
2. The use of an interpreting booth enables the simultaneous interpreter to perceive everything that is being said immediately and entirely without any disturbing factors such as side noise. Compared to whisper interpreting, for instance, this leads to a significantly higher quality of the interpretation.
2) Consecutive Interpreting2. The use of an interpreting booth enables the simultaneous interpreter to perceive everything that is being said immediately and entirely without any disturbing factors such as side noise. Compared to whisper interpreting, for instance, this leads to a significantly higher quality of the interpretation.
In consecutive interpreting, the spoken words are not translated simultaneously, but after the contribution of the speaker. For this purpose, the speaker talks for a couple of minutes; then he interrupts his contribution and gives the interpreter the opportunity to provide the interpretation of the contribution in front of the audience. While the speaker gives his presentation, the consecutive interpreter makes some notes that help him to remember any detail of the contribution.
This form of interpreting is used for representative occasions such as the welcome of delegations or a speech at an employee meeting.
In general, consecutive interpreting goes along with tighter time limits than simultaneous interpreting. It can only be recommended in certain cases and for events that do not exceed a certain time. For instance, it is not practicable or feasible to use consecutive interpreting for a full-day employee training course. First of all because of the length of such an event, and because of the details involved in such a training course. The consecutive interpreter’s brain would need to have a memory capacity which goes far beyond anything possible for a human being. Thus, important details would get lost from a certain point in time onwards. To find out why, just click on Brain Performance. Second, consecutive interpreting would not be the appropriate solution here because of the fact that the participants should get actively involved; you would want them to ask questions immediately if anything is unclear, or to make critical comments at the right time. This is only possible if action and reaction can take place without any time delay – which is only guaranteed if simultaneous or whisper interpreting is applied.