| Translation Equipment(or to use its more proper | | | | specific frequency is broadcast through the room. |
| names: simultaneous interpreting equipment or | | | | If more than one language will be interpreted, then |
| simultaneous interpretation equipment) is used in | | | | each language will have to be on a separate |
| conferences and meetings to convey the voice of an | | | | frequency or channel, and the audience members |
| interpreter to the listeners. You've probably seen | | | | select the language they wish to hear on their |
| pictures of the United Nations where the international | | | | receiver. |
| delegates each have a little earpiece - that's | | | | SOME TIPS FOR MAKING SURE YOUR |
| translation equipment. Specifically, that's the earpiece | | | | SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION EVENT GOES |
| connected to the receiver. | | | | WITHOUT SNAGS: |
| HERE'S HOW IT WORKS: | | | | 1) Always make sure your interpreters can see those |
| At the back of the room (or in an adjacent room) a | | | | who are speaking - position them so they have a |
| team of interpreters sits in a sound-dampening booth, | | | | optimal view of the stage or podium, or arrange |
| listening to the presenter through headsets. They are | | | | video monitors for them as a substitute. |
| doing the hard part: they simultaneously listen and | | | | 2) Place the booths on risers when you can - this |
| interpret whatever they hear into another language. | | | | helps to make certain their view is not blocked by |
| Their voice is picked up by a microphone, which | | | | the crowd. |
| distributes the sound through an interpreter console | | | | 3) Ideally, use a full interpreting booth whenever your |
| to a transmitter. | | | | budget allows - it makes life easier for both the |
| The transmitter acts like a miniature radio station - it | | | | interpreters and the audience. |
| sends a signal out to the room. Each listener then | | | | 4) Don't try to get by without a technician! Good |
| hears the interpreter's voice on a small receiver, | | | | interpreting technicians are a significant ingredient in |
| through an earpiece. Some transmitters are infrared - | | | | the success of your meeting. We have learned the |
| they use invisible light waves to distribute the signal | | | | hard way that regular AV techs and well-meaning |
| throughout the room. The main use of infrared | | | | volunteers cannot replace an interpretation technician |
| equipment is in top-secret conferences such as | | | | without thorough training. |
| government and UN meetings, where even the | | | | 5) Choose a company that are experts in translation |
| slightest chance of eavesdropping can't be tolerated. | | | | equipment. More generic translation services will |
| Since light cannot go through opaque walls, infrared | | | | frequently purchase a tiny bit of translation |
| interpreting equipment is considered most confidential | | | | equipment, however they often don't possess the |
| (as long as you be sure you close the drapes!) | | | | expertise and know-how to do a passable job in a |
| Another main form of translation equipment is FM | | | | multitude of situations. |
| radio-based. Here, a low-power radio signal on a | | | | |