| So you've got an event coming up, and you know | | | | detailed as you can in your answers. |
| there will be some attendees who don't speak | | | | Make sure the company will be providing experienced |
| English. You tried taking a crash course in Japanese, | | | | conference interpreters. There are many styles of |
| but somehow it was more difficult than you | | | | interpreting. Many interpreters who are excellent at, |
| expected. What will you try next? | | | | for example, court interpreting, are poor conference |
| Probably the best idea would be to call a company | | | | interpreters. |
| that specializes in providing simultaneous interpreters | | | | The interpreters must also be familiar with your |
| and equipment for simultaneous interpreting at | | | | subject matter. A medical interpreter may be able to |
| conferences. Although the term simultaneous | | | | explain the insides of a person, but might be clueless |
| translation is often used, strictly speaking, that is a | | | | about the insides of a computer. Each subject area, |
| misnomer. Translation means written form, whereas | | | | especially a technical one, has its own inherent jargon |
| interpretation refers to the spoken word. | | | | that can be confusing to interpreters not familiar with |
| It's important to make sure you ask for simultaneous | | | | that specialized arena. |
| interpretation, rather than consecutive interpretation. | | | | Conference interpreters almost always work as a |
| Simultaneous interpreting allows the meeting to | | | | team of two people per language (or occasionally, |
| proceed at full pace. The listeners will each wear a | | | | three per language in high-stress environments). Don't |
| small headphone or earpiece that allows them to hear | | | | try to cut corners by hiring a solo interpreter, it |
| the interpreter's voice while the meeting is going on. | | | | nearly always backfires -- an interpreter who is willing |
| Consecutive interpretation, on the other hand, slows | | | | to work solo at an all-day meeting is probably not |
| the meeting down to half speed, as the speaker | | | | very experienced. Remember, your attendees may |
| must pause after each phrase for the interpreter. | | | | have spent thousands of dollars to be at your event. |
| The interpreting company you call will ask you | | | | You want them to be able to understand and enjoy |
| questions about your event: | | | | it, so next time they'll come back with their friends. |
| -- What are the languages? | | | | It's a good idea to get quotes from multiple |
| -- What is the subject matter? | | | | companies, but it's not a good idea to make the |
| -- How many listeners will each language have? | | | | decision purely on price. Interpreters are not like |
| -- How many people will be in the room total (or how | | | | boxes of cornflakes -- each interpreter is different. |
| big is the room)? | | | | Each interpreter has a unique set of strengths and |
| -- Who will the audience be? | | | | weaknesses. |
| Let the prospective supplier ask you the questions - | | | | Matching interpreters to customers is an art that |
| it's a good way to make sure they know what they | | | | takes many years of practice. Choose a company |
| are doing. Many companies specialize in other areas of | | | | that you trust to make the best decision on your |
| language work -- try to find one that specializes in | | | | behalf. |
| conference interpreting. And be as specific and | | | | |