Around the world, almost 7,000 beautiful languages are spoken. At the same time, worldwide interactions are unstoppable. Simultaneous interpretation occurs when individuals from various backgrounds interact to ensure effective communication. It’s a classic skill that helps to make linguistic barriers transparent.
What is simultaneous interpretation?
Simultaneous interpretation occurs when the translator listens to the speaker’s words before translating them into another language as the speaker continues to speak. The audience then receives the speech once it is translated. Moreover, simultaneous interpretation enables real time communication without noticeable pauses or disruptions. In multilingual conferences, seminars, and events where people need to communicate with one another in real time but speak different languages, simultaneous interpretation is a must. A human interpreter or AI-powered translation program can carry it out.
To better understand a simultaneous interpretation, it’s high time to discuss the other methods that can be used for performance. Let’s discuss consecutive interpreting.
Consecutive Interpreting
Consecutive interpreting is a style of interpretation in which the translator takes notes while the speaker communicates. After that, the interpreter repeats the speaker’s words to the audience. He typically listens to the speaker alongside taking notes and only speaking into the microphone once all the speakers are done.
The interpreter’s active language is put under additional stress while he is speaking, listening, and evaluating. As a result, this situation requires more good skills than others. Interpreters must pay even closer attention to their output since there is a larger simultaneous risk of ‘interference’ from the passive (heard) language to the active (said) language. This might include abandoning “false friends,” dividing big statements into more manageable ones and avoiding the original syntax. This explains why novice interpreters begin by learning sequential interpreting, where they acquire the essential interpreting abilities. The same skills are used in simultaneous interpreting. However, there are some additional complexity and difficulty levels.
Benefits of simultaneous interpretation
- Very Time Efficient: Simultaneous interpretation saves time. However, it enables discussions to continue without translation pauses or interruptions.
- Promotes diversity: Regardless of language skill, simultaneous interpretation ensures that all participants feel included and can actively engage in the discussion.
- Enables effective communication: However, it promotes real time conversation between speakers of several languages.
- Enhance understanding: It ensures that everyone can comprehend the speaker’s message in their language. On the other hand, simultaneous interpretation stimulates higher engagement, which helps to deliver more effective dialogues.
The growth rate of the translation industry
After the pandemic, the translation industry has seen a tremendous increase. The most famous technique used is simultaneous interpretation, as it’s very time-efficient.
As the above chart shows, the expected market size is USD 17.5251 till 2028, which interprets a growth rate of CGR 10.76%.
Multiple techniques used for simultaneous interpretation
Simultaneous interpreters use various techniques to communicate and deliver the content effectively.
Maintained focus
Maintaining focus and enhancing the concentration level is very crucial. The interpreters must process the mind quickly while translating the speaker precisely without missing any important point.
Relying on short-term memory
Simultaneous interpreters’ biggest weapon is their short-term memory. It helps them retain the content communicated by the speakers and maintains the coherence of the content.
Noting down the key points
Usually, the translators make rough notes of the key points. So they don’t have a single important factor and some language specifications as in any important terminology.
Collaboration
For extravagant events, more than one interpretation is required. A complete team of simultaneous interpreters is circulated in the venue to fill the communication gap; the rest are reserved for the speeches. It’s important to prevent fatigue as it reduces the chance of any glitch.
Actions required for effective interpretation
Some of the following actions are required by the interpreters for effective interpretation.
Listen actively to understand the speakers
Whether we are talking about consecutive or simultaneous interpreting or any other method, the most important action is actively listening. Listening to the speakers and understanding the discussion and the feelings they are exhibiting through their words is a real task. It leads to the better conveyance of the content.
Analysing and structuring the content
Listening to the content actively and analysing it simultaneously is crucial as it leads to the structuring of the content. The best way to structure the content is by breaking it down into smaller segments and interpreting it with similar emotions and tone.
Communicating the content
Reproducing similar content is very important as it’s the final action. Conveying the interpreted content in the targeted language is very essential. Whether you opt for any method of interpreting, it’s vital to deliver content effectively.
There’s no such big difference between both interpretational methods. The major difference comes with the delivery and the timing of the content. Simultaneous interpretation demands conveying the range alongside the speakers and performing these steps spontaneously. However, consecutive interpreting is easier; it allows the interpreter to pause and deliver the content in sequence. Completing simultaneous interpretation requires higher focus and mental presence with excellent speaking skills.
Cons of Simultaneous Interpretation:
The concept of a speaker and the audience is the foundation of simultaneous Interpretation. Meanwhile, consecutive Interpretation is better suited for interactive talk. As a result, events like seminars that require simultaneous Interpretation to deliver speeches could find it challenging to organise a question-and-answer session once the speaker is done speaking.
The cost of simultaneous interpreting as a service is a major disadvantage. Simultaneous interpreters usually work in teams because of the demanding nature of the role, so you must shell out money for the team for each language you intend to deliver the speech in. Before taking a break, an interpreter will work for around 30 minutes as their concentration may begin to fade or they get distracted, which could affect the quality of their interpretation. However, your simultaneous translation expenses could rapidly increase if you plan an event in any first-world economic country.
The requirement for specialised interpreting AV hire further adds up the expense. It ensures that the company delivers the right and high-quality equipment.
AV hire is required for the simultaneous interpretation
Audiovisual equipment is one of the most essential requirements for simultaneous interpretation. However, here’s a list of equipment which are used in the process.
Audio-proof booth
A separate booth in which the interpreter can comfortably work without any distortion and distraction. The booth must contain a glass window, a ventilation system, an inside desk, and seats for the interpreters. Install a booth for each language being translated. Meanwhile, it is advisable to add an internal monitor if the cabins cannot be positioned so interpreters can view the speaker and the projection screen.
Transmitters
The participants’ headphones are equipped with infrared signal transmitters, which send the translation signal from the control room. They should be placed ideally on both sides of the room, approximately in a radius of 20 metres.
Consoles
The actual interpreting devices and each interpreter have in front of one. The interpreter hears the speaker through specialised headphones while translating into the transmitter’s mic. However, all the participants received a listening device, such as headphones, which enabled them to hear the translation in real time.
Headphones
Headphones with infrared receivers are distributed to the participants to understand the speaker’s interpretation. Usually, a table is set up, and all the headphones are divided according to need and other technical difficulties. Set up a service to provide and gather the receivers at the conference reception.
Microphone
Speakers with fixed microphones and a cordless handheld mic are required, specifically for Q&A sessions. The speakers’ audio and requests via the participant’s microphone must be audible on their audio transmission to the interpreters’ receivers.
AV hire technical support
The AV hire staff remain on-site for the whole event in case any technical difficulties emerge during the speech or interpretation. The only reason you run a background check on the rental company is if they hire a professional who can tackle any unexpected challenge and ensure a smooth transition of the simultaneous interpretation without disrupting the event.
AV tech support monitors the setup throughout the event and makes real time adjustments to maintain the sound quality.
When it comes to AV rental companies, Av Productions in London has been renowned for the best services for the past 25 years. Their vast stock of audio-visual hire equipment includes projectors, fast fold screens, public address systems, digital mixers, microphones, monitors, vision mixers, camcorders, staging, trussing, and more. Additionally, Av Productions provides the best technical support for setting up the AV hire equipment.
Final takeaway
Different cultures around the globe show the essence of their beautiful norms and linguistics. At the same time, these colours of culture are mesmerising and bring the challenges of mingling along. However, simultaneous interpretation serves as a bridge that allows one to understand and enjoy the warmth of other cultures and points of view. Alternatively, AV rentals play a vital role in making the simultaneous interpretation possible.
