Types of Interpretation

Depending on the size and nature of the meeting different types of interpretation will be
required, simultaneous or consecutive.

Interpreting is a form of communication where one takes a message from a source language and
converts that message into a different target language. As the globalization takes place, effective
communication is one of the key factors to achieving success in overseas markets. When
languages create a communication barrier, Interpretation services help to achieve the goals and
objectives effectively. Language Interpretation is the assisting of oral communication between
users of different language. Interpretation has different modes: Simultaneous, Consecutive and
Whispered.

In Simultaneous Interpretation, the interpreter needs to formulate and render the message in the
target language as quickly as possible from the source language. In this mode the interpreters
need to use equipment like microphone, earphones and a sound proof booth where they will be
staying while listening to the speaker via earphone and relaying the interpreted message via
microphone. Simultaneous Interpreters must have completely mastered the target and source
language for them to easily transmit the message to the delegates or participants of the meeting
or court hearing. They also must have technical knowledge of the subject to be discussed, as well
as interpretation skills and experience.

This requires high levels of concentration and interpreters will therefore need to alternate every
20 to 30 minutes. Simultaneous interpretation is physically and emotionally demanding. It requires
the interpreter’s complete concentration and non-stop oral communication. In order to avoid
excessive strain on his or her vocal chords and mental fatigue one interpreter cannot work at it
alone. Simultaneous interpreters must work in pairs, taking turns at interpreting every 30 minutes.
When one is not interpreting he or she helps the other interpreter as needed, gathering
information and following the ongoing speech.

It is suitable for international conferences, workshops, training sessions or lectures. Its main
advantage over consecutive interpretation is that it does not require the speaker to stop for
translation. Also, simultaneous interpretation can be provided into more than one language at a
time. Typically, simultaneous interpreters work in soundproof booths. Interpretation booths and
equipment are either part of conference premises or may be rented from specialized vendors.
Consecutive interpretation: the interpreter sits at the table with the delegates or on the platform
next to the speaker and interprets the speech into the required language once the speaker has
finished speaking. The interpreter takes notes to give an accurate rendering of the speech which
may be delivered in sections, up to approximately 15 minutes.

Consecutive interpretation is suitable for meetings with fewer languages or for formal occasions
such as dinners, or when it is not possible to install technical equipment.

In Consecutive Interpretation, the interpreters relay the message after the source-language
presenter finishes speaking one to three sentences. Unlike in the simultaneous where the message
should be formulated immediately, in consecutive they have time to formulate and interpret the
message according to the way that the speech is divided into segments. The interpreter normally
stands or sits beside the speaker, he or she will listen and take notes as the speaker progresses
through a speech. When the speaker pauses in one segment it’s the turn of the Interpreter to
interpret and transmit the portion or the entire message in the target language. This is the most
common form of interpretation, and does not require special equipment.

In a nutshell, the speaker pauses, and the interpreter interprets what has been said. Although
consecutive interpretation is ideal for smaller meetings, some clients occasionally require
consecutive interpretation of lectures and workshops. If you intend to use consecutive
interpretation for meetings lasting the entire working day, i.e. 8 hours including breaks, you will
need to hire a team of two interpreters who will work in turns.

In Whispering Interpretation, the process is like the simultaneous interpretation but without
equipment and in a small group only. This kind of Interpretation normally is advisable in a small
group conference or meeting where one or two persons in the group cannot understand the
source language so the interpreter needs to whisper the formulated target language as quickly as
possible. Since whispering interpretation requires just as much concentration as the simultaneous
interpretation, the interpreters are also working as a team to convey the message effectively and
accurately.

This technique is strenuous and tiring for listeners and it is only appropriate for short meetings
involving a very small number of languages.
Interpreters speak at the same time as the speaker. Due to the demanding nature of the job,
simultaneous interpretation always requires a team of at least two interpreters who work in turns.

Consecutive Interpretation

Consecutive interpretation means interpreting what is said, after it is said. This mode of
interpretation is used when the communication between the parties involves a two way exchange of
information. It is ideal for question and answer settings, meetings and conversational formats,
where communication is flowing in both directions, to and from the sources. The message is heard
in the source language; it is then carefully interpreted and delivered in the target language. The
consecutive mode of interpretation is truly an exercise in memorization, as it requires a faithful and
complete interpretation of the message being interpreted.

Simultaneous Interpretation

The simultaneous mode of interpretation involves the interpretation and rendering of the message
from the source language to the target language instantaneously as it is heard by the speaker. In a
sense, the interpreter is listening and speaking at the same time. This mode of interpretation
involves communication in one direction only, and it is often done continuously without pauses or
interruptions. This mode of interpretation is an exercise in language speed as the conversion process
is done extremely fast.

The Difference Between Interpreting and Translation

On the surface, the difference between interpreting and translation is the mode of expression.
Interpreters deal with spoken language and translate orally, while translators deal with
written text, transforming the source text into a comprehensible and equivalent target text. Both
interpreting and translation presuppose a love of language and deep knowledge of more than one
language. However, the differences in the training, skills, and talents needed for each job are vast.

The key skill of a good translator is the ability to write well and express oneself clearly in the target
language. That is why professional translators almost always work in only one direction, translating
only into their native language. Even bilingual individuals rarely can express themselves in a given
subject equally well in two languages, and many excellent translators are far from being bilingual.
The key skills of the translator are the ability to understand the source language and the culture of
the country where the text originated, and, using a good library of dictionaries and reference
materials, render that material into the target language.

An interpreter, on the other hand, has to be able to translate in both directions, without the use of
any dictionaries, on the spot. There are two types of interpreting: consecutive and simultaneous.

Most people are familiar with simultaneous conference interpreting, in which the interpreter sits in a
booth wearing a pair of headphones and speaking into a microphone. However, simultaneous
interpreting is also used to interpret speeches or "whisper" into the ear of foreign dignitaries and
guests. In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter can't start interpreting until s/he understands the
general meaning of the sentence. Depending on where the subject and the verb are located in the
sentence, the interpreter may not be able to utter a single word until s/he heard the very end of the
sentence in the source language. This should make it evident how hard the task of the interpreter
really is: s/he needs to translate the sentence into the target language while simultaneously listening
to and comprehending the next sentence.

During consecutive interpreting the speaker stops every 1-5 minutes (usually at the end of every
"paragraph" or complete thought) and the interpreter then steps in to render what was said into the
target language. A key skill involved in consecutive interpreting is note-taking, since few
interpreters can memorize a full paragraph at a time without loss of detail.

In spite of the vast differences in the skills of translators and interpreters, besides deep knowledge
of both languages, it is crucial that they also understand the subject matter of the text or speech they
are translating. Translation and interpretation are not a matter of substituting words in one language
for words in another. It is a matter of understanding the thought expressed in one language and then
explaining it using the resources and cultural nuances of another language.

What is consecutive interpreting ?

Interpreting after the speaker has finished.

The interpreter sits with the delegates, listens to the speech and renders it, at the end, in a different
language, generally with the aid of notes. In the modern world consecutive interpreting has been
largely replaced by simultaneous, but it remains relevant for certain kinds of meetings

(e.g. highly technical meetings, working lunches, small groups, field trips).

Well-trained interpreters can render speeches of 10 minutes or more with great accuracy.