Client's Guide To Professional Simultaneous Interpreting Services | Language Interpreter

Simultaneous Interpretation

What is simultaneous language interpreting?

Simultaneous Interpreting 

Simultaneous interpretation is real-time interpreting.   It involves listening to, understanding the source language content, then converting and speaking it into the target language all at the same time.

The interpreter renders the oral translation of the speaker's words while the speaker is speaking causing the voices to overlap.

Who can interpret simultaneously professionally?

Professional Simultaneous Interpreters

The short answer is: a professional language interpreter.  Most people think that you only need to be bilingual in order to interpret, but that is not the case.  Professional simultaneous interpreters have a higher skill level and know how to render complex subjects comprehensively.

Just to give you an idea of the difficulty, interpreting has been compared to working as an air traffic controller.  That is why in order to avoid mental burnout, multiple interpreters may be required for full day or continuous jobs having minimal breaks.

How is simultaneous language interpretation done?

Simultaneous Interpretation

The speaker talks naturally, without pause in the source language.  The interpreter converts the speech into the target language and delivers it to the audience (using audio equipment if necessary) in real-time, voices overlapping.

Simultaneous interpreters convey continuously the full and accurate meaning of what is said in the source language into speech in the target language, lagging just slightly behind the original message.

This is an extremely complex mental task, requiring concentration far beyond what most people usually experience.  An interpreter listens to a thought in the source language while speaking a different (previous) thought in the target language.

 As this kind of interpretation is very demanding, a single interpreter can usually handle simultaneous interpretation duties for up to 20 minutes.  Any job exceeding this time limit would require two interpreters so that they can alternate and alleviate the work load.

Part day jobs are usually scheduled as morning only or afternoon only.  Jobs that continue after lunch (including travel time) are considered full day since the interpreter cannot take on another job for that day.

Conference Simultaneous Interpretation (UN-Style, Booth Interpreting)

The interpreter usually sits in a closed sound-proof booth and uses specialized audio equipment.  Listeners wear special infrared or radio headphones.  Equipment may include wired, wireless, and infrared systems, as well as two and three person booths

Whispered Simultaneous Interpretation (In-person, One-on-one, On-site Interpretation)

The interpreter usually sits or stands near the listener(s) while whispering what the speaker is saying.

Why is simultaneous interpretation recommended?

Simultaneous Interpretation Services

Simultaneous interpreting is the only way to provide a running rendition of everything said by the speaker where no pauses or interruptions are possible, unlike consecutive interpretation which requires the speaker to stop after every phrase or sentence.

Simultaneous interpretation does not affect the pace of the discussion because communication is instantaneous.  The interpreter does not have time to seek clarification from the speaker, fix or make mistakes.

When is simultaneous interpretation most appropriate?

Most Appropriate Simultaneous Interpretation Settings

Simultaneous interpretation is designed for a large audience and public speakers.  It is generally used in large meetings, conferences, speeches or settings where more languages are required.

Ability to interpret in real-time without pause, from oral, audio or text into target language.

Alternate shifts with one or more interpreters at 15 to 20 minute intervals.

This is ideal for larger audiences, especially those requiring interpreting in multiple languages.

Where is simultaneous interpretation most common?

Most Common Simultaneous Interpretation Situations

Simultaneous interpretation is typically performed in large groups and in more formal situations, for example:

• Academic meetings
• Administrative hearings
• Arbitration proceedings
• Briefings
• Business meetings
• Civil cases
• Conferences
• Conventions
• Court cases
• Meetings

If you think simultaneous interpreting is easy try this: turn on your television and watch any news channel or go to your local courtroom.  Try to follow the speech of the news anchors or a judge, staying no more than 3 to 5 words behind.  Are you able to keep up without adding, removing or changing?  Not easy right?  Again, a professional interpreter is doing just that while at the same time changing the source language to the target language.

Where can you find a professional language interpreter?

Are you looking for a professional language interpreter?

How do you find that perfect qualified or certified interpreter who will communicate your message correctly?  eLingual.Net is a great place to start.

Unlike traditional interpretation job marketplaces where jobs are auctioned off or given to a middleman, eLingual.Net works to find you the most qualified professional interpreters in our network. 

Here’s how it works:

1.       You provide what's important to you in your job description.

2.       We'll recommend your job to members with the right skills and experience based on their profile.

3.       You get a qualified applicant pool to choose from.

We’re happy to help you find that next great professional interpreter.

Feel free to connect or email me, Carmen Arismendy.  I'm a professional Spanish interpreter-translator and founder of eLingual.Net.  I started the eLingual Network because I could not find a fair, no middleman, no job bidding, ethical and transparent meeting place for translators, interpreters and clients online.  The website is in beta phase and by no means perfect but it's a step in the right direction.

eLingual.Net's mission is to spread happiness worldwide through happy translators, interpreters and clients.

For the professional translator and interpreter, this means no middleman, no job bidding, the freedom of setting their own fees, having control over their services, and who they choose to work with.

For the clients, this means working directly with ethical and professional translators and interpreters committed to quality and value.

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Updated 12.8.16