| When planning to arrange language interpretation | | | | 2. Define the circumstances of your meeting: |
| services for your organization it is important to | | | | The type of interpretation that you need depends, in |
| understand the different types of interpretation and | | | | part, on the size and nature of your meeting. To help |
| to identify the specific circumstances of your | | | | determine which type of interpretation will be best |
| meeting so that you can be sure to get the most | | | | for your meeting, ask yourself the following |
| appropriate interpretation service for your needs. | | | | questions: |
| To decide which type you need take the following | | | | How large is the meeting? |
| steps: | | | | If it is a small meeting with only a few people then |
| 1. Make sure you understand the difference between | | | | consecutive interpretation will probably be sufficient. |
| the types of interpretation: | | | | Also, since simultaneous interpretation costs more, |
| The two types of interpretation that you most | | | | smaller meetings rarely merit the additional cost. If it |
| often encounter are consecutive interpretation and | | | | is a simple doctor visit or other small, 1 on 1 meeting |
| simultaneous interpretation. Some people also refer to | | | | then consecutive interpretation is perfectly sufficient. |
| Simultaneous interpretation as conference | | | | Will you need to interpret more than one language? |
| interpretation or simultaneous translation. | | | | This is important to note. If you were having two |
| In consecutive interpretation, which is the more | | | | languages interpreted consecutively then the |
| common of the two, a speaker begins speaking and | | | | presenter would have to pause while the interpreter |
| then pauses, waiting for the interpreter to interpret | | | | for one language interprets, and then the interpreter |
| their statement into another language. When the | | | | of the second language would interpret. This just isn't |
| interpreter is finished the speaker continues. This | | | | practical for most situations. If you need to have |
| taking of consecutive turns, (speaker, interpreter, | | | | more than one language interpreted then |
| speaker, etc), is the reason that it is called | | | | simultaneous interpretation is almost always the best |
| "consecutive". When using consecutive interpretation | | | | choice. |
| it is essential that the speaker does not speak too | | | | How many people need to hear the interpretation? |
| long without pausing, otherwise the interpreter may | | | | If you have a large group of people and not all of |
| not be able to remember everything that was said | | | | them need to hear the interpretation then it might be |
| and may have to interrupt the speaker or ask them | | | | best use simultaneous interpretation so that those |
| to repeat themselves. | | | | that need interpretation can hear it through the |
| The other type of interpretation, simultaneous | | | | wireless interpretation receivers and those that do |
| interpretation, is different in that there is no pausing | | | | not need it will not have to hear it. |
| by the presenter. Instead of requiring the presenter | | | | Would it be acceptable for your presenters to have |
| to pause, the interpreter listens and speaks at the | | | | to pause after each sentence and wait for |
| same time, interpreting one sentence or phrase while | | | | interpreter to interpret? |
| listening to the next. Since the two of them are | | | | For some meetings, even if the group is large, it |
| speaking at the same time (simultaneously) this form | | | | works out ok to have a consecutive interpreter |
| of interpretation is called "simultaneous". In addition to | | | | standing up front and for the presenter to have to |
| the mental challenge that this presents for the | | | | pause after each sentence. At other meetings, it can |
| interpreter, there is also the problem of noise. How | | | | be too slow and cumbersome, especially if it has to |
| can the interpreter hear when they are speaking at | | | | be done for a long time. When it comes to meetings |
| the same time? | | | | with presentations, generally the longer that the |
| How can those not needing interpretation hear the | | | | audience has to listen to consecutive interpretation |
| presenter when there is an interpreter speaking at | | | | the less desirable it is. Also, keep in mind that, since |
| the same time? To deal with this issue interpretation | | | | everything has to be said twice, (once in each |
| service providers use specialized audio equipment | | | | language), it will take twice as long to get through |
| that is called simultaneous interpretation equipment. | | | | the presentation. |
| Normally the interpreter sits in an enclosed booth so | | | | What is your budget for interpretation services? |
| that they are isolated from the audience. The | | | | Simultaneous interpretation can be quite expensive. |
| interpreter is then provided with an audio feed | | | | You have pay two interpreters and rent the |
| through headphones. This allows them to hear the | | | | interpretation equipment. Some meeting planners do |
| presenter clearly and allows them to separate the | | | | not have the budget for this so the inconvenience of |
| sound of their own voice from that of the presenter. | | | | consecutive interpretation ends up being preferable |
| The booth also serves to keep the interpreter's | | | | to paying the much higher cost of simultaneous |
| voice from being audible in the room so that those | | | | interpretation. However, for others it is worth the |
| who do not need interpretation will not be distracted | | | | cost. It all depends on the requirements of your |
| by the sound of the interpreter. The interpreter | | | | meeting and how much you have to spend. You |
| speaks the interpretation into a microphone and this | | | | should get price quotes from reputable companies |
| audio signal is transmitted wirelessly to those in the | | | | well beforehand and weigh those costs against the |
| audience who have wireless interpretation receivers | | | | needs of your meeting. |
| with which they can clearly hear the interpreter. | | | | In general, if the situation is appropriate for it, I |
| It is also important to note that, unlike consecutive | | | | always suggest going with simultaneous interpretation. |
| interpreters, simultaneous interpreters almost never | | | | Find out the cost ahead of time and plan for it. It |
| work alone. Instead, they normally work in teams of | | | | provides a smoother flowing meeting, can provide |
| two, taking turns interpreting every 20 to 30 minutes. | | | | interpretation in multiple languages at the same time, |
| This allows them to rest when they are not | | | | and keeps your meeting on schedule because there |
| interpreting so that they do not become overly | | | | is no pausing needed. Also, simultaneous interpretation |
| fatigued while performing this very difficult and | | | | is very common outside of the United States so if |
| mentally exhausting activity. By preventing fatigue | | | | you have a high profile meeting with attendees from |
| they are able to retain the energy and focus that is | | | | other countries they will likely expect there to be |
| required in order to provide high quality interpretation | | | | simultaneous interpretation provided. |
| without the speaker ever having to pause for them. | | | | |