The Art of Simultaneous Interpretation

May 2, 2011 |

It is a common misperception that interpretation and translation are one and the same. Interpretation is the art of listening to a message in one language (known as the “source language”) and verbally transmitting that message into a foreign language (known as the “target language”). From one language into another, French into English—for example. Translation is, on the other hand, the written word-to-word interface between a source and a target language. A translator is afforded time and has access to dictionaries, glossaries and other resources to produce an accurate document in the target language, while an interpreter must rely on his mental linguistic glossary to verbally transmit the message across the two languages. There are many kinds of interpretation: consecutive, escort, relay, whispered and simultaneous. This article will focus on the art of simultaneous interpretation.

When a verbal exchange between two languages happens in real-time, it is called “simultaneous interpretation.” A simultaneous interpreter must quickly render a message from the source language into the target language. For example, let us imagine a European wine conference in Paris: the keynote speaker is speaking in French and a large portion of the audience is comprised of Spaniards who do not understand French. The role of the simultaneous interpreter is to absorb the message in French and quickly verbalize it in Spanish for those who only understand Spanish. The most difficult task for this simultaneous interpreter is to “catch up” with the French speaker’s continual speech, while in real time faithfully rendering their message into Spanish– emotionally, tonally, linguistically, and culturally.

The equipment needed to accomplish a simultaneous interpretation assignment is a soundproof booth in which the interpreter sits– usually in clear view of the speaker, headphones in order to hear the speaker’s speech, a microphone into which the interpretation is spoken, and wireless earphones linked to the interpreter’s microphone, which enable the audience members to listen to the interpretation. Each foreign language delegation requires its own booth (French interpretation team in one booth, Spanish interpretation team in another—for example). This set up prevents the mixing of languages, lessens audio feedback, and allows for the interpreter’s perfect concentration. Equipment aside, the most important component of a multilingual conference is the quality of the interpreters selected.

There are very strict standards in place to become certified in conference interpretation, with the best interpreters having completed graduate studies in Conference Interpretation at some of the world’s best language training institutes. Most conference interpreters would admit that their job requires an inordinate amount of physical, mental, and intellectual stamina. Their unique role in facilitating the exchange of ideas and dialogue across cultures, languages, and nationalities is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of their profession.

If you happen to find yourself at a multilingual forum with participants and speakers from various countries, glance to the back of the conference room and look for the interpreter booths. Within those soundproof walls, the unique relay of information across languages is occurring.

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