Simultaneous or Consecutive Interpreting?

Interpreting is often confused with translation, but as we explained in the previous article, the difference is that interpreters work with the spoken word, while translators work with written text.

Like translation, interpreting has certain specifics too. Interpreting is primarily divided into simultaneous interpreting and consecutive interpreting. If you need to arrange interpreting for your company or business partners, or for a conference with dozens or hundreds of attendants, and don’t know how it all works and what type of interpreting you need, this article is for you.

Simultaneous Interpreting

As the term itself suggests, the word simultaneous indicates two actions taking place at once. In simultaneous interpreting the speaker and the interpreter speak at the same time. However, the interpreter maintains a certain distance – of several seconds – from the speaker. The speaker delivers his speech, and at the same time the interpreter interprets it into another language for the listeners.

Simultaneous interpreting is usually performed with interpretation equipment – if you have ever attended an international conference, you might have spotted glassed-in booths, inside which pairs of interpreters are seated, speaking intently and often gesturing as well. In these “interpretation booths”, interpreters have all necessary documentation, microphones, headphones, and other equipment. All interpreted text is transmitted into the headphones of the listeners

Simultaneous interpreting in booths is therefore suitable for conferences or large events, when interpreting to and from several languages, for official events or high-level negotiations. When considering simultaneous interpreting, there will be a need for more space and equipment cost (booths, installing the sound system, etc.) – but at Lexika, we are happy to provide the necessary equipment.

Chuchotage

Let’s describe simultaneous interpreting in more depth, since it is connected with another quite frequently used type of interpreting. This is “chuchotage” (from the French word for whispering). In practice, chuchotage means the interpreter listens to a speaker while literally whispering to a listener in another language. Imagine for example a round-table business negotiation, with two English-speaking managers talking in English about merging their companies. Their business partner from Germany has an interpreter by his side, who listens to the conversation in English and whispers directly in German. This way, the German business party stays in the conversation and gets all the necessary information almost immediately. So compared to consecutive interpreting, the simultaneous interpreting provides faster information transfer, though it is not suitable for all conditions.

Consecutive Interpreting

In consecutive interpreting the speaker and the interpreter, to put it simply, alternate. The speaker delivers a part of his speech, sometimes just a few sentences, though it can also be a complicated passage of several minutes. Then it is the interpreter’s turn to interpret the speech to the audience with the help of interpreting notes. This type of interpreting doesn’t usually require any special equipment, just a note pad the interpreter uses to take notes, and possibly a microphone if the audience is large. Consecutive interpreting is used in business meetings, as well as major speeches, gala evenings and any time the occasion permits and requires it, i.e. when it is not distraction for the speaker and interpreter to alternate, and when there are only two languages in play. One specific example of consecutive interpreting is guide interpreting. Here, the interpreter often not only interprets but also acts as the client’s guide, arranging various errands, for example during business travel. It can also be used when visiting a factory and training new workers – the interpreter acts as an intermediary between the production staff and their superiors or trainers.

Interpreting is no simple matter, as further confirmed by the fact that there are other specific types of interpreting: certified interpreting, telephone interpreting, sign language interpreting, and even indirect simultaneous interpreting in booths via a pivot language, among many others.

However, to avoid headaches when choosing the right type of interpreting, at Lexika we will gladly advise you and ensure tailor-made interpreting services.