F.A.Q.

A minimum of 2 interpreters per language pair is required for a translation that extends for more than 1h30min. Although it has been a market practice for many years, if you are not the UN or another regular client of simultaneous interpretation, you may understandably ask: why two?

Research has shown that simultaneous interpreting demands so much concentration and effort that, after an hour of continuous translation, even the most experienced professional can only hope to be 100% effective for periods of 20 minutes or so. After that time, they will need to hand off to a fellow interpreter. The interpreter ‘resting’ will continue to follow the proceedings and prepare for their next slot. They might also assist their partner with key terminology, and crucial information.

Why is simultaneous interpreting so complex and demanding? Well, it requires deep understanding, sharp memory, accurate structure, inflection, and syntax, as well as a mastery of key terminology. Additionally, a command of two cultures is necessary to interpret idioms and address the audience in the correct register (most foreign languages have more registers than English has). An interpreter must juggle orally translating what was just said by the speaker, while active listening and mentally processing the following idea, always monitoring the clarity of the delivery and the understanding of the public, almost anticipating what the speaker will say next. You can imagine the mental fatigue that might lead to. Because simultaneous interpreting happens in real-time, there is no room for mistakes. A professional simultaneous interpreter will refuse assignments unless they have an alternate.

If you are on a tight budget and looking for ways to cut costs, here are some tips:

• If a single session is longer than 45 minutes, schedule a break in the middle, so a solo interpreter can have time to rest.
• If your event has more than one day, try to schedule all sessions that require translation on the same day.

Here are some skills and characteristics intrinsic to human translation that are not easily replicated by AI algorithms and that, at the moment, prevent AI from translating with the same accuracy and effectiveness as human professionals across all contexts:

Contextual Understanding and Complex Structures: Human languages have intricate structures, human interpreters can comprehend and adapt to various contextual nuances, cultural references, and idiomatic expressions.

Real-time Adaptation: Human interpreters can quickly adjust their interpretation based on changes in tone, pace, speaker intent, as well as regional variations.

Emotional Intelligence: their emotional intelligence enables Human interpreters to gauge audience reactions, speaker emotions, ambiguous meanings, and subtle cues that influence interpretation. While AI technology has made significant advancements in language processing and machine translation, achieving the same level of performance as human interpretation remains a complex and ongoing research challenge.

We use technological resources only as aid tools, your translation will be fully rendered by qualified professionals, who apply to the project not only their linguistic expertise but also all their background and world knowledge, human sensitivity, plus the unique understanding of your communication need/business, as you’ll brief them personally.

We’ve been doing this for a while for a range of different business leaders in their industries so, don’t worry, you’re in safe hands. In order to provide an accurate quote for a simultaneous interpreting that will make your event really sizzle, we’ll discuss the following with you:

• Dates and times of your event plus how many language pairs will need translation each day, which defines the number of booths and interpreters. °The number of delegates attending your event – this will determine how many infrared receivers with headphones are required.
• Address and layout of your event’s venue. °Background information for the interpreters. As interpreting is carried out in real-time, having adequate and timely background information ahead of it is vital. When possible, we suggest you provide to the interpreters: the event’s schedule; drafts of speeches; definition of any industry/company specific term or policy that requires it; etc. Should you wish, a briefing meeting can be arranged with your interpreter coordinator, at no extra cost.

Organizing a successful event is really a matter right professionals and forward planning. We’re here to make your life easier and your event’s translation just perfect – it’s what we do.