Whisper Interpreting
Whisper interpreting is a lean version of simultaneous interpreting. Similar to simultaneous interpreting, the thoughts expressed are "developed" together with the speaker and transferred into the target language simultaneously.
However, the technical equipment is not as comprehensive as with simultaneous interpreting. The interpreter does not sit inside a booth, but in the room amongst the audience. If only one person needs a translation, the interpreter is placed next to or slightly behind this person, whispering the interpretation into his ears.
If several persons need a translation, special whisper interpreting equipment is used. In this case, the interpreter does not sit in an interpreting booth receiving the original speech through a headset, but is placed among the audience (somewhere in the front, close to the speaker) and listens to the original speech just like the other listeners, without the use of any headsets etc. Again, the interpreter transfers the speech simultaneously, talking into a microphone. This microphone is connected with the headsets of those who need an interpretation so that again they receive the translation simultaneously through headsets.
Basically, whisper interpreting is cheaper because the whole technical equipment for simultaneous interpreting is not applicable. However, this form of interpreting is accompanied by certain disadvantages, both for the audience and the interpreter. On the one hand, the whispering noise of the interpreter may disturb the whole audience. On the other hand, side noise is generated within the room, for instance through murmuring, coughing, opening and closing doors, chairs that are being moved around etc. In contrast to the simultaneous interpreter who sits inside the soundproof booth, the whisper interpreter perceives all this noise, which can never be avoided. The sound-waves of this noise overlap the sound-waves of the spoken words. Under these unfavourable circumstances, the interpreter has to concentrate on the listening effort to a greater extent; this is why the brain’s capacity for the actual translation process and the verbal expression of the translation is more limited (please see “Brain Performance during the Interpreting Process”). Parts of sentences may be missed. In the worst case, the interpreter can hardly understand the speaker anymore because of bad acoustics; not every room fulfils the acoustic preconditions, generating an echo or absorbing the sound-waves. This may result in a loss of content and, thus, lead to the audience not understanding the message to be brought across. In the end, the outcome might be a dissatisfying situation for both the organizer and the audience on the one hand and for the interpreter on the other hand. It must not be forgotten that the interpreter too wants to do an excellent job and help enhance the communication between all the parties involved in the conference.
Of course, it does not make sense to rent an interpreting booth for every event. If only one or two guests needing an interpreter take part in an event, you really need to think carefully about whether it would not be more sensible - financially speaking – to choose whisper interpreting as an alternative solution to simultaneous interpreting. This applies in particular in critical times of an economic crisis such as the one we have been experiencing over the past couple of months.
However, we should also think about the goal of an event. Do we want to enable all participants to understand what a conference, meeting etc. is about? Do we want them to get actively involved in the conference? Do we want them to feel part of the community coming together? In the end, they probably made a lot of effort and it took many travelling hours to attend this event.
In general, I will be happy to provide you with whisper interpreting services whenever it is sensible. However, I would like to point out that in most cases, the use of an interpreting booth is absolutely necessary. To get to know why, just click on The Interpreter’s Brain and find out what performance is required of the interpreter’s brain.
