Types of Interpreting
I didn’t know there were different types of interpreting?
You have probably seen examples of the different types of interpreting – a company executive making a dinner speech followed by an interpreter repeating in a different language, or an interpreter whispering into a politician’s ear at a special address, or country representatives in a UN meeting, all wearing headphones and nodding in agreement.
Different types of interpreting are required for different situations, but you won’t need to worry about this – ONCALL Conference will work with you to determine the most appropriate method based on your project brief.
But for those that love the detail, the following provides an outline of the different types of interpreting.
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Simultaneous Interpreting
- Simultaneous interpreting, also known as Conference interpreting, involves the processes of instantaneously listening to, comprehending, interpreting and rendering the speaker’s statements into another language. This method of interpreting is generally used (but not exclusively) in large-scale conferences.
Simultaneous interpreters sit in a booth in front of a microphone, receiving input from the speaker through earphones. Delegates can hear the interpreter speak in their language through the use of portable receivers tuned into specific language “channels”.
Simultaneous interpreting requires an extremely high level of skill, with teams of two or more interpreters required per language who will work in turns, relieving each other at set intervals, to ensure that fatigue and stress resulting from an intense level of concentration does not affect issues of quality and accuracy.
ONCALL Conference can provide simultaneous interpreting equipment as a package together with the simultaneous interpreters and liaise with any other third parties where this may be required. -
Consecutive Interpreting
- This form of interpreting is commonly used in meetings with a smaller number of participants. The interpreter listens to a set number of utterances from the speaker and then gives their rendition in the target foreign language. This method of interpreting is more time consuming, bust works well in meetings at which time is not necessarily of the essence.
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Whispered Interpreting
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This method of interpreting, also known as ‘chuchotage’, is used in such meetings where a reduced number of participants may not warrant the additional cost of a booth and related technical equipment, and the interpreter, whilst seated in a convenient position in close proximity to the foreign language participant (or small group of participants) “whispers” the interpretation to the participant or small group in their foreign target language at the same time as the speakers deliver presentation.
Whispered interpretation is also used in court rooms, where interpreters listen to a judge or other officers of the Court, or to any evidence being presented (such as witness statements) and convey their interpretation to the foreign language speaking client.
A description of the type of meeting and venue will help us put together the most suitable team, ensuring the client does not incur unnecessary costs.
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to find out how you can enjoy a fuss-free, seamless experience working with Australia’s leading full-service event language partner.