Interpreting

Interpreting is a means of oral communication between people who do not share a common language.

There are three main interpreting types: simultaneous, consecutive and ad hoc interpreting.

Simultaneous Interpreting

Below are examples of simultaneous interpreting:

- broadcast interviews with personalities
- international conferences
- sessions in an international organisation
- trainings
- whispered interpreting for participants in conferences

This interpreting mode is used in multilingual conferences and congresses with a large number of participants. The speaker in the conference room speaks through a microphone, the interpreter in the booth listens to the speech through headphones and delivers the translation almost simultaneously through a microphone. The audience in the conference room listens to the interpretation in the desired language through headphones.

Consecutive Interpreting

Examples of consecutive interpreting:

- gala dinner speeches
- high-level political talks
- press conferences
- speeches at official opening ceremonies
- welcome speeches

Although nowadays this type of interpreting has often been replaced by simultaneous interpreting due to the fact that it doubles a conference's total time frame, it is still being used for formal speeches or business visits. In this interpreting mode the interpreter sits or stands close to the speakers, listens to the speech and delivers it in another language at the end with the help of notes.

Ad Hoc Interpreting

Examples of ad hoc interpreting:

- accompanying a small group
- business contacts
- private business meetings
- telephone interpreting
- visits of personalities

Ad hoc or liaison interpreting facilitates communication between small groups of people in a more informal or private environment. Interpreters act as a liaison or accompanying person to the group and translate into both languages taking only a few notes.