Simultaneous Interpreting FAQ

Contents

What is the definition of Simultaneous Interpreting?
When are Simultaneous Interpreters used?
What do I need to be aware of when hiring a Simultaneous Interpreter?
What background information should I supply?
Why hire your Simultaneous Interpreter(s) from London Translations?

Simultaneous Interpreting defined

Simultaneous interpreters provide high end interpreting services for international conferences. One person speaks and many listen through headphones. Simultaneous interpreters sit in a sound-proof booth and interpret in real-time.

Simultaneous interpreting is highly skilled work requiring many years of experience and subject matter expertise. To be successful, events requiring simultaneous interpreters need careful planning and specialist equipment. We are here to help.

Warning: We can't stress enough the importance of using experienced simultaneous interpreters. As simultaneous interpreting is a real-time skill, there are no second chances once the moment is lost. If you do not have the budget to engage simultaneous interpreters, we urge you to consider whether a Consecutive Interpreter would suffice rather than attempt to cut corners and have your event ruined.

• Annual General Meetings
• Product launches
• Corporate Hospitality events

Of the three different categories of interpreting (the other two being Consecutive Interpreting and Facilitating Interpreting), simultaneous interpreting is by far the most demanding.

A minimum of 2 interpreters are required for continuous service of more than a couple of hours. This comes as a shock to most people. Why do we need 2 people? Surely you are just trying to sell us extra interpreters? The truth is, simultaneous interpreting demands so much concentration that any individual can only hope to be effective for periods of 20 minutes or so. After that time they will need to hand off to a fellow interpreter and rest. Whilst resting they will continue to follow the proceedings and prepare for their next slot. For an event lasting more than a couple of hours, 2 interpreters are required to allow adequate rest periods. Many interpreters will refuse assignments unless they have a deputy, ideally, someone they have worked with before.

Specialist equipment is required. Simultaneous interpreters require a sound proof booth within view of the speaker. A clear audio feed from the speaker to the interpreters' headphones is required. Each interpreter must be equipped with a microphone to relay the interpreted audio to the audience via headphones. London Translations do not supply such equipment directly but will be happy to recommend companies from which it can be hired. We strongly recommend you hire in professionals to set up your venue. Attempting to cut costs by doing it yourself and getting it wrong can lead to disaster - unintelligible audio, a dissatisfied audience and embarrassed interpreters. In order to protect the professional reputation of our interpreters, London Translations require confirmation that adequate provision will be made prior to accepting bookings.

Having adequate and timely background information ahead of a simultaneous interpreting assignment is vital. As the interpreting is being carried out in real-time, there is no scope for going back and correcting mistakes. If at all possible please;

• Provide drafts of speeches and explain any specialist vocabulary.
• Schedule some time with the interpreter ahead of the day to brief them on any company politics they should be aware of.
• Provide a breakdown of how the day will be structured so that the interpreters can begin to plan their work. It is very likely that one of them has specialist knowledge which would be best used during a particular part of a presentation.
• Whilst we may have made it sound frightening, organising a successful event is really a matter of forward planning. We will be happy to advise and help make your event a real success.

Why hire your Simultaneous Interpreter(s) from London Translations?

1. Track record: We've been arranging Simultaneous Interpreting assignments for over a decade and are committed to using this experience to help make your event a resounding success.
2. Experience: All Simultaneous Interpreters supplied by London Translations have a minimum of 5 years experience.
3. Personal service: We're passionate about providing the very highest levels of personal service. We are here to help you in any way we can.
4. Local presence, global reach: A single point of contact in London through which you can arrange Simultaneous Interpreting services for events anywhere in the world.
5. Security: The security of dealing with a company registered and based in the UK.
6. One stop shop: We handle Consecutive Interpreting assignments in all western languages plus bring in-depth knowledge of Asian and East European business and languages.
7. Quality: All Simultaneous Interpreting services are backed by our 30 day money back guarantee. If you are not happy, you don't pay. It's as simple as that.