| Interpretation has always been a crucial tool to bridge | | | | expensive. Not only you need to hire a pair of |
| language gaps and to facilitate effective | | | | interpreters for each language, but also you have to |
| communications. Whether to use the consecutive or | | | | add in the rental cost of the booths and |
| simultaneous interpreter will depend on the | | | | interpretation equipment. |
| requirements of the client. | | | | Consecutive interpretation |
| First, let's see the major differences: | | | | The interpreters sit next to the speaker and |
| Simultaneous interpretation | | | | interpret into the target language once the speaker |
| The interpreters sit in a sound-proof booth, listen to | | | | has finished speaking. The interpreters may take |
| the speaker through interpretation headsets and | | | | notes to summarize the speech which may be |
| interpret on a real-time basis from the source | | | | delivered in segments. |
| language to the target language. This requires high | | | | Consecutive interpretation is suitable for small |
| levels of concentration and it is recommended to | | | | business meetings with fewer languages or for formal |
| have a pair of interpreters to alternate every 15-30 | | | | occasions such as factory visit, business dinner, |
| minutes. | | | | where it is not possible to install interpretation |
| Simultaneous interpretation is usually ideal for events | | | | equipment. |
| with a large number of participants broadcasting in | | | | The benefit of consecutive interpretation is it's |
| different languages, for example conference, seminar, | | | | cheaper than full-pledged simultaneous interpretation. |
| award ceremony, etc. | | | | It reduces the need for interpretation equipment and |
| The benefit of simultaneous interpretation is this is | | | | typically only requires one interpreter per language. |
| the best and most efficient way to communicate to | | | | However, it is often annoying for the audience to |
| an audience that doesn't speak the language. | | | | hear the interpreter after the speaker. |
| However, simultaneous interpretation can be | | | | |