Interpreting
Did you know that “conference interpreter” is not a legally protected job title? That makes it all the more important to find a professional interpreter to make sure you will get the quality you expect. Being academically trained with a degree in conference interpreting and as a member of the German Association of Conference Interpreters, I can offer you professional, high-quality interpreting services and translations.
Interpreting means orally conveying the spoken word from one language into another with the help of various methods: we distinguish between simultaneous, consecutive, liaison and whispered interpretation or "chuchotage".
Simultaneous interpretation
The speech is simultaneously translated into another language. Simultaneous interpreters work in a sound-proof booth and use a special headset; headphones with an attached microphone. They listen to the speech and immediately translate the content into the target language. This form of interpretation is very demanding; the interpreter has to be highly focused and can only interpret for about 30 minutes at a time.
That is why there are always at least two simultaneous interpreters in the booth so they can take turns. Simultaneous interpretation has several advantages: there is no time delay and the number of listeners is not limited. If enough booths are installed, speeches can be interpreted into as many languages as desired. That is why simultaneous interpretation is especially used for major multilingual events and conferences.
Consecutive interpretation
Consecutive interpreters listen to the speech first and then translate it into the target language. They use a special form of note taking to help their memory. No booth is needed for consecutive interpretation.
However, it takes more time since the speaker and the interpreter speak one after the other. This form of interpretation is mainly used for formal occasions, dinner speeches, official speeches and bilateral negotiations.
Liaison interpretation
Liaison interpretation is a variety of consecutive interpretation and is also called conversation interpreting. The interpreter transfers rather short pieces of a speech or statements into the target language. In discussions, for instance, person A`s statement is interpreted, then person B`s statement and so on.
This keeps discussions more lively than "classic" consecutive interpretation. No booth is used. This form of interpretation is often used for bilateral negotiations, discussions with only few participants or technical discussions.
Chuchotage/whispered interpretation
This is a special form of simultaneous interpretation. The interpreter sits next to or behind the listener and whispers the interpretation. This is only possible for one or two listeners. If there is a larger audience and it is not possible to install a booth, a tour guide system (PFA) can be used.
That means all listeners have headphones with a radio receiver, and the interpreter uses a radio microphone. Since these systems are mobile, they can be used for guided tours for instance.
I am happy to advise you in advance which type of interpretation suits your needs and will work best for your event.
That way, you can be sure the listeners get all the information and you can get your message across.
Since conference differ greatly from one another, there are no fixed rates for interpretation assignments.
My rates depend on a variety of factors such as the type of interpretation (simultaneous, consecutive or others), language combination, duration of the conference and degree of difficulty, preparation time and, if need be, additional services such as travel expenses or providing conference equipment.
Just contact me prior to your conference to get an individual, non-binding price quote!