| Simultaneous Interpretation |
Simultaneous interpretation, sometimes referred to as \"real time interpretation\" is widely used at diplomatic functions and multinational conferences. It provides instantaneous, real-time interpretation of what is being said. It allows the speaker to continue talking in his own tongue, without pausing. Several interpreters may be used if the speaker is being translated into more than one language.
ABPT provides both the interpreters, and the electronic equipment (headphones, receivers, and microphones) to ensure effective and seamless simultaneous interpretation.
International summits where ABPT has provided simultaneous interpretation and related equipment include:
» The Economic Summit of Industrial Nations
» Inter-American Petroleum and Gas Conference
» International Conference of Health Effects of Low Dose Radiation.
Simultaneous Interpretation Services
Educating yourself about interpretation choices and the components of quality language services will help you make informed decisions in these areas. If you are planning a multi-language conference please refer to
Checklist for Multi-language Conference Organizers
for a basic list of guidelines.
Planning and Needs Analysis
Users of simultaneous interpretations services should make sure that good coordination exists among the user-client and the service provider. The client should be prepared to provide background information about the event, as well as the setting and its venue, its language needs and staffing, its technological needs, and the availability of documents and materials that the interpreters will study ahead of time.
Setting: The needs analysis of the setting should identify the domain, for example, business and industry, health care, law, or public sector agencies.
Type, goal, time and duration of event: The needs analysis should identify the type of event, its goal, the time, and the event’s duration. For example, is the event an international conference, a large meeting or assembly, a small meeting, a presentation, a field trip, a press conference, classroom instruction, an informative interview, a live broadcast, negotiation, etc.?
Participants and Communication flow: The service provider must know the number of people requiring interpretation. Is it one or two or a group? It is important that the service provider anticipates the type of interaction among the participants,since this will affect the communication flow and whether additional equipment may be needed and the wiring required. For example, are the participants going to ask questions to the speaker, and if so in which language combinations? Is the communication flow one speaker to many listeners (one-to-many) or many speakers and many listeners (many-to-many)? Is the group stationary, sitting in a room, or mobile, as in walking through a plant?
Equipment requirements: The service provider needs to plan equipment requirements in advance. If the event involves a group, are participants going to need receivers? Can wireless technology be used or does technology have to be infrared?
Interpreters and booths needed: Generally simultaneous interpreters work in teams of at least two interpreters per language and per booth. Due to the nature of the job, this setup is needed to ensure quality interpretation. The number of interpretation booths is the same as the number of target languages, except for the case of two-language conferences where a single booth will suffice.
Documentation: Make available conference and other related documents to the interpretation service provider as soon as possible. Interpreters should receive the same documents that are sent to the delegates. Also, PowerPoint presentations or documents that will be distributed during the meeting, in particular those for discussion, should be made available to interpreters before they are discussed. Interpreters need to study the subject matter prior to the conference, as well as prepare their conference-specific glossary.
Special needs: Will there be any ambient noise or interference that mightaffect the acoustics or the operation of the wireless equipment? The quality of the interpretation will deteriorate if there are audio problems, including distractions due to undesirable noises. Nonverbal communication can be as important in a presentation as speech. Ensure that the interpreters’ view of the speakers is unobstructed.
» Schedule simultaneous interpretation services
» Reference Letter ABPT (PDF)
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| In consecutive interpretation, the speaker talks in his or her native language and the interpreter listens and possibly takes notes. The speaker then pauses, while the ... |
| Sight Translation has traditionally been regarded as a part of simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. However, sight translation, consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting are perf... |
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