Simultaneous interpretation,
whispered interpretation or
consecutive interpretation?
Simultaneous, whisper or consecutive - choose the right interpreting service for your event!
Multilingual events sometimes require interpretation to ensure that all participants and speakers, regardless of language, get the most out of the event. Simultaneous, consecutive or perhaps whispered interpretation - which method is best for your event?
It is clear that in large, multilingual conferences, not everyone may have a common language. It is important to take all listeners into account to ensure that the experience is fair for all and that the speaker's message is understood correctly. For such events, it is advisable to choose simultaneous or simultaneous interpretation. For slightly smaller events, an alternative may also be to whisper interpretation.
Interpretation may also be needed for business meetings or other meetings with a few people where the parties do not speak the same language. For smaller events, sequential interpreting is more suitable. consecutive interpreting. It is often used in situations where there is not really a speaker and an audience, but more of an interactive situation.
What is simultaneous interpretation?
Simultaneous interpreting is simultaneous interpreting, usually used for larger events with dozens or hundreds of speakers. If there are people in the audience who do not understand the language of the presentation, simultaneous interpretation can be arranged for them. This means that the interpreter sits in a soundproof booth and simultaneously translates speech into a microphone, from which the translation is transmitted to the earpieces of the listeners who need it. In this way, a performance can be interpreted for several people at the same time without disturbing the rest of the audience.
There are two interpreters in one booth, who take turns, as translation work is hard and requires concentration. One booth translates one language, but there can be several booths, allowing translation into many different languages.
What to look out for?
Simultaneous interpreting is a demanding form of interpreting that requires familiarity. It is therefore advisable to book it as far in advance as possible, at least 1-2 weeks before the event. Please provide the presentation materials as early as possible so that the interpreters have time to familiarise themselves with the subject.
The benefits of simultaneous interpreting
- Can be used for large speaking and public events
- The rest of the public will not be disturbed, as only people who need to hear the interpretation will hear it
- The conference or other event remains the same as originally planned
- High quality interpretation, as interpreters have peace of mind
What is whispered interpretation?
Whispered interpreting is a form of simultaneous interpreting, which is done with a portable with hardware with or without equipment. As interpretation is, as the name suggests, whispered, it can be provided without equipment to up to two people sitting in the audience at a time. The interpreter therefore sits in the audience and translates the performer's speech simultaneously for the people sitting near him/her. With portable equipment, interpretation can be provided for up to ten participants.
Whispered interpreting is a cheaper alternative to simultaneous interpreting, but it has the problem that it is heavy on the speaker's ear and can disturb people sitting nearby. An alternative is to use whispered interpreting with portable equipment, where the interpreter translates the speech in a low, quiet voice into a microphone from the audience and the sound is transmitted to the earpieces of those who need interpretation. However, this method is more suitable for smaller public events.
What to look out for?
It is advisable to book an interpreter a few weeks before the event to give the interpreter enough time to familiarise himself/herself with the topics and materials. It is important that the interpreter has as much background information about the event as possible, so all materials should be submitted to the interpreter well in advance.
The benefits of whispered interpreting?
- A cheaper alternative to simultaneous interpreting for smaller events
- The interpretation is simultaneous, so the speech or public event remains at its original scale.
What is consecutive interpretation?
Consecutive interpreting is consecutive interpreting, where the speaker and interpreter speak alternately. This method is more suitable for small, interactive events such as negotiations, dinners, visits, business meetings or company presentations. It is suitable for situations where there is no formal presentation or speaker and audience, but where the event is unscripted and interactive. Consecutive interpreting does not require any equipment and one interpreter is sufficient.
What to look out for?
It is advisable to book the interpretation well in advance (1-2 weeks in advance) and give as full a description as possible of the nature of the event. As there is no actual performance or script, the interpreter cannot familiarise himself with the material in advance. However, it is useful to provide the interpreter with any specific vocabulary or other material that may be useful.
The benefits of consecutive interpreting:
- Suitable for interactive, smaller events
- No hardware required
- One interpreter is enough
The Finnish Interpreting Service provides high-quality simultaneous, whispered and consecutive interpreting in a wide range of languages. In addition, we provide the equipment for simultaneous interpreting installed on site, and a technician to ensure that the equipment works for the duration of the event. To ensure that members of the public who need an interpreter get the most out of the event, we also offer translation service, so that they receive printed copies of the presentation materials in their own language.