Organising an event or meeting can be quite challenging. You need to dig deep into your pockets to finance the entire event: renting out the meeting room, buying or renting technical equipment, providing catering for all participants and maybe even bearing the hotel costs for international guests. There’s probably even more costs associated with it. So yes, it’s quite an investment.
Now, you can only justify such an investment if your meeting or event truly makes sense. In other words, if all participants can communicate and interact with each other in the best of circumstances. This means they need to get the opportunity to express themselves in their native language. How? By enlisting the services of interpreters. They’ll translate whatever the participants say and they’ll, basically, become your second voice. And the icing on the cake: by offering interpreting services, you show that you value the input of your participants and their presence at your event.
As such, an international or multilingual event can only succeed when there’s a good communication and all participants have the possibility to listen to and speak in a language they understand (preferably their mother tongue). But, which interpreting type do you need?
In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter translates almost simultaneously – as the term suggests – the words of a speaker. There’s almost no delay (or décalage in technical terms). Interpreters speak into a microphone and the audience can listen to the translation through a headset. Usually the interpreters work from their interpreting booth, but this is not always the case.
Simultaneous interpreting is by far the most complex type of interpretation. It’s quite intensive for interpreters. After all, they have to listen to the speaker, process the message in their head, and then also translate it. Given that this technique requires so much energy and effort, interpreters usually work in pairs (sometimes there are even three interpreters) and take turns after about 30 minutes.
Most of the time, interpreters work from an interpreting booth (see picture), but it’s also possible they interpret using a bidule (a mobile interpreting kit that can be compared to an audio guide) or whisper the translation into the listener’s ear (whispered interpreting or chuchotage). Especially in the latter case, this is only possible with a limited number of listeners.
• You save precious time, because messages are translated instantly
• It’s nicer for the listener, because they don’t have to wait for several minutes to listen to the translation
• Listeners are also less likely to get distracted
• The translation is very reliable: given that messages are translated instantly, nothing will be lost
• You decide how many languages will be used at your event, there are no limitations (e.g. Dutch, English, Spanish and French)
• This type of interpretation is more expensive than other interpreting techniques, because you usually need to enlist the services of two interpreters per language and you need technical equipment
• You need more space to set up the interpreting booth(s)
Simultaneous interpreting is the right choice for international conferences, events, meetings with a large number of participants (e.g. European Works Councils), workshops and seminars. This type of interpretation is also possible for online or hybrid events.
In consecutive interpreting, the speaker and interpreter take turns: after the speaker has spoken for a couple of minutes (maximum 5 to 6 minutes), the interpreter translates the entire intervention.
This type of interpretation doesn’t require any specialist technical equipment. The interpreter usually sits right next to the speaker(s) and uses a notebook and pen to take notes.
• It’s cheaper, because you only need one interpreter
• You don’t need additional space for the setup of the interpreting booth(s), because the interpreter only uses a notebook and a pen, and sits right next to the speaker
• You need to wait longer, because the speaker and the interpreter take turns
• Listeners and speakers get distracted more quickly
• You need to allow for more time, because every message will, basically, be conveyed twice (once in the source language and once in the target language)
• You can only translate into one language at a time
Consecutive interpreting is recommended for tours, press conferences, interviews and inaugurations.
Liaison interpreting is a type of consecutive interpreting, but in this case, the speaker and the interpreter take turns much quicker. Usually, the interpreter translates the message every 2-3 sentences to allow for a smooth conversation.
Here, too, no technical equipment is needed. It’s possible the interpreter takes notes, but usually it’s not necessary, because the sentences and messages are short.
Very often, the services of a liaison interpreter are enlisted for appointments at the notary office, parent-teacher conferences, doctor visits or appointments with the police.
It’s also possible to classify the different types of interpreters according to the context in which they work:
Conference interpreters are interpreters who interpret simultaneously at meetings or conferences.
Community interpreters are interpreters who facilitate communication during appointments with social services, e.g. at the hospital, at the immigration department etc.
Courts interpreters are interpreters who interpret during court cases and meetings between a lawyer and their client. Usually, it’s a combination of liaison interpreting and consecutive interpreting.
Telephone interpreters are liaison interpreters who translate phone conversations in real time, e.g. conversations between an insurance company and a client with car trouble.
Ready for your next multilingual event?
I’d love to advise you on which interpreting technique is the best choice!
Lots of love,
Reineke
