A simultaneous interpreter in Heidelberg, Mannheim and beyond I’m your strong partner for multilingual events throughout Germany. But what exactly does a simultaneous interpreter (or simultaneous translator) do?
What does a simultaneous interpreter do?
The word simultaneous says it all: when interpreting, the interpreter translates what’s being said into another language (almost) simultaneously. The minmal delay that’s left is the so-called décalage, the time between hearing the original and producing the interpretation. This transfer, which requires several tasks being performed at the same time (listening, processing, speaking), is highly demanding. That’s why simultaneous interpreters never work alone, but always in teams of two in order to alternate every 20-30 minutes.
Simultaneous interpretation – process
They sit in soundproof booths to minimise background noise and distractions. The interpreters listen to the original speech via headphones and speak their interpretation into a microphone.
At the beginning of the event, listeners who require interpretation get a small receiver to which they can connect headphones. They can then set the audio channel on which the interpreter “broadcasts” so that they can follow the original speech almost in real time. At an event that is interpreted into several languages, there are several audio channels for the audience to choose from.
Simultaneous interpreter – types of events
Simultaneous interpreting is more suitable for events that are attended by a large audience and where speeches or presentations take centre stage, for example a conference, specialist conference, meeting or seminar. It is also the first choice for events that require interpretation into several languages.
Finding a simultaneous interpreter
Interpreting is not a protected occupation, which means that not every interpreter works to the same high quality standards or follows the same professional ethics. But how do you find a suitable simultaneous interpreter?
Professional associations like VKD are a great starting point for everyone looking for a professional simultaneous interpreter. Only those complying with high professional standards and ethics can successfully become memebers and build a strong networks of equally professional colleagues – a major benefit for clients planning a larger or more complex multilingual event. Being part of a professional association, we can always find the right colleague for a job, even for the rarest languages.