Simultaneous Interpreting Service

Delivered by qualified and experienced simultaneous interpreters

There are a number of forms of interpreting, but you can roughly place them within 2 categories:

• Consecutive
• Simultaneous

Consecutive interpreting is when one person speaks in one language, leaves a pause, and meanwhile the interpreter will verbally interpret what has been said in the other language.

Simultaneous interpreting is much more intense.  Two interpreters will work in tandem delivering the interpretation at the same time as the speech.  Because of the intense nature of simultaneous interpreting, the interpreters need to cover each other during regular breaks to ensure no disruption of the service.

Each interpreter will speak their own language plus one other completely fluently. They usually feel comfortable interpreting in both (sometimes three) directions.

For conferences, the interpreters will generally sit in special language interpreting booths or if providing the service remotely via video link, they will use dedicated interpreting channels.

Whispered interpreting or chuchotage in over 200 languages

This is a lower tech version.  The interpretation is delivered simultaneously but without the aid of any equipment such as a booth, microphones and headsets.  The interpreters literally whisper.  For obvious reasons, this form of interpreting isn’t always practical or desirable.

Simultaneous interpreting equipment

We can also supply and setup all the simultaneous interpreting equipment you may need.

The equipment is designed especially for events where simultaneous interpreters will be working using wireless infra-red transmitters and headsets to relay the speaker to all interpreters, without any need for extra cabling. A trained technician will install, operate and remove the system at the end of the conference. We also provide portable ISO approved booths for the interpreters where a mobile solution may be more appropriate such as a factory visit.

Our simultaneous interpreters

Working in teams of two, our experienced simultaneous interpreters work at conferences around the world. Our simultaneous interpreters must be able to supply evidence relating to skill in:

• a native tongue;
• a language other than the interpreter’s native language, of which he or she has a perfect command and into which he or she works from one or more of his or her other languages;
• any languages of which the interpreter has a complete understanding and from which he or she works.

Simultaneous interpreter or consecutive interpreter?

Under what circumstances would you choose simultaneous interpreting team over a consecutive interpreter?

A consecutive interpreting solution may work better for small meeting places where perhaps one person present does not understand the source language.  This could be in situations like a human resources meeting, a meeting with a solicitor or a court hearing.

For circumstances where there may be a larger number of people needing to understand each other and almost instantaneous comprehension of the words without a time delay is necessary, a simultaneous interpreting solution would be more appropriate.  This might occur at conferences, events, congresses and other mainly formal meetings where a number of people attending will speak different languages.