No form of interpreting is easy.
It takes a massive amount of skill and concentration to interpret a message totally accurately from one language to another in a situation of importance, especially when the recipients are a sizeable audience.
An interpreter's output has to be clear, understandable and precise every single time.
But what is it about simultaneous interpreting that makes it noticeably more challenging than other forms? At a long-lasting conference that might concern complex forms of business, sometimes it can be hard enough just following what the speaker is saying even if they are talking in your language.
It must also be noted that an attendee is only generally required to gather the sentiments and overall message of what is being said, rather than every single last detail.
A simultaneous interpreter not only has to absorb all information conveyed down to the last meaningful word through headphones from a soundproofed booth, but also converse it to the audience at the exact same time via a microphone whilst the speaker continues.
To say the profession involves constantly thinking would subsequently be putting it lightly.
Continuous speaking therefore equals continuous interpreting in simultaneous interpreting.
The two form a concurrent existence wherein an interpreter immediately solidifies an interpretation as the speaker is speaking, with the maximum delay on an interpretation rarely exceeding more than one word.
An interpreter's brain will fully process what is being said in quick time and produce a perfect interpretation without jumping to conclusions, or at least that is the aim! It is obviously near impossible for an interpreter to pursue this grueling task for the duration of one huge uninterrupted shift.
Because no interpreter has superhuman concentration levels, the quality of interpretation is bound to decline over the course of hours if just one sole interpreter is used.
Because of this, it is most common for simultaneous interpreters to work in pairs, channeling their expertise into quick bursts of 20-30 minute shifts.
Larger events might see an entire team of interpreters share responsibilities between themselves, with a consultant interpreter heading up the unit.
The end product is a form of interpreting that is barely noticeable to either the speaker or the audience, but in the best possible way.
Interpreting should never be the centre of attention - it is a linguistic skill that joins the dots between languages and cultures, which only ever draws attention to itself if the accuracy is significantly below what the vast majority of simultaneous interpreters provide.
Read more about simultaneous interpreting services.
It takes a massive amount of skill and concentration to interpret a message totally accurately from one language to another in a situation of importance, especially when the recipients are a sizeable audience.
An interpreter's output has to be clear, understandable and precise every single time.
But what is it about simultaneous interpreting that makes it noticeably more challenging than other forms? At a long-lasting conference that might concern complex forms of business, sometimes it can be hard enough just following what the speaker is saying even if they are talking in your language.
It must also be noted that an attendee is only generally required to gather the sentiments and overall message of what is being said, rather than every single last detail.
A simultaneous interpreter not only has to absorb all information conveyed down to the last meaningful word through headphones from a soundproofed booth, but also converse it to the audience at the exact same time via a microphone whilst the speaker continues.
To say the profession involves constantly thinking would subsequently be putting it lightly.
Continuous speaking therefore equals continuous interpreting in simultaneous interpreting.
The two form a concurrent existence wherein an interpreter immediately solidifies an interpretation as the speaker is speaking, with the maximum delay on an interpretation rarely exceeding more than one word.
An interpreter's brain will fully process what is being said in quick time and produce a perfect interpretation without jumping to conclusions, or at least that is the aim! It is obviously near impossible for an interpreter to pursue this grueling task for the duration of one huge uninterrupted shift.
Because no interpreter has superhuman concentration levels, the quality of interpretation is bound to decline over the course of hours if just one sole interpreter is used.
Because of this, it is most common for simultaneous interpreters to work in pairs, channeling their expertise into quick bursts of 20-30 minute shifts.
Larger events might see an entire team of interpreters share responsibilities between themselves, with a consultant interpreter heading up the unit.
The end product is a form of interpreting that is barely noticeable to either the speaker or the audience, but in the best possible way.
Interpreting should never be the centre of attention - it is a linguistic skill that joins the dots between languages and cultures, which only ever draws attention to itself if the accuracy is significantly below what the vast majority of simultaneous interpreters provide.
Read more about simultaneous interpreting services.