Interpreting is often called oral translation, since the linguist facilitates spoken or sign language communication between people with different languages.
A language interpreting service can be required at offline or online conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars, one-on-one meetings, live or virtual team meetings, business tours, offline or online training, high-level political meetings, debates, or even cultural events.
We provide onsite interpreting services mostly in Europe, but we can also help with your needs for interpreters in Asia, the US, and Latin America. Our interpreters have experience in remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI), and they are familiar with the most common online platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, that are used for online events.
Our interpreters, many of whom are accredited by the EU institutions, are specialists in their professional area: they are chemists or have a human rights background, they have long years of experience in the field of the environment or have a diploma in political studies. Since most of our assignments take place at the European Parliament, it is critical that the interpreters we work with have experience in working in the EP and at events organised by other EU institutions.
We strongly recommend that our partners brief the interpreters or our project manager before each assignment so that we can learn more about the event and the participants. It is also essential to provide our interpreters with as much background material as possible, such as glossaries, abbreviations or technical terms, agendas, presentations, meeting minutes of former events. This way we can ensure that they are properly prepared.
We prepare a separate offer for each interpreting assignment based on the languages required, the type of interpreting, the date and length of the event and the technical equipment needed (if relevant).
The types of interpreting we offer:
Simultaneous interpretation in a booth or via online platforms
The interpreter renders the message in the target language as quickly as (s)he can formulate it from the source language, while the source language speaker speaks continuously. The interpreter, sitting in a soundproof booth, speaks into a microphone, whilst clearly being able to see and hear the source language speaker from their booth, via earphones. Target language participants can listen to the simultaneous interpretation via earphones. Simultaneous interpretation is always carried out by two interpreters per language combination.
This is the recommended type of interpreting at offline or online conferences and events with many participants and several different languages. Proper technical equipment (booths, microphones, earphones, technicians, or an online platform and internet access, etc) is a must for simultaneous interpreting.
Whispered interpretation
Also known as chuchotage. The interpreter sits or stands next to the small target language audience (one or two people) whispering a simultaneous interpretation of the matter at hand. This method requires no equipment and is used in circumstances where the majority of a group speaks the source language and a minority (ideally no more than two people) does not speak it.
Consecutive interpretation
The interpreter speaks after the source language speaker has finished speaking. The speech is divided into segments, and the interpreter sits or stands beside the source language speaker, listening and taking notes. When the speaker pauses or finishes speaking, the interpreter translates a portion of the message, or the entire message, in the target language. The interpreter might need a separate microphone, but otherwise no additional technical equipment is required.
Sign interpretation
When a hearing person speaks, an interpreter renders the speaker’s meaning into the sign language used by the deaf party. When a deaf person signs, an interpreter renders the meaning expressed in the signs into the oral language for the hearing party. At international events we usually provide International Sign Language.
Technical equipment for interpretation
If you order onsite interpreting services from us, we also provide technical equipment, such as booths, tour guide systems (or valise), microphones, headsets and all other necessary equipment, together with qualified technicians. In the case of online interpreting assignments, we can assist with tricks and tips on which online platform to use.
Read our latest case studies for interpreting:
>>> “This is where we can help!”-webinars on how to host a Zoom event with simultaneous interpretation confidently
>>> How relay interpreting works in practice
>>> Interpretation in politics
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further information.