Agency specialising in interpreting
simultaneous
The interpreter acts as a mediator between people facing language barriers. At a multilingual event, interpreting enables the various participants and speakers to communicate despite their language differences. There are several types of interpreting, one of the best known being simultaneous interpreting. Swisstranslate offers high-quality simultaneous interpreting services tailored to your needs. Rely on our team of qualified simultaneous interpreters for a smooth, accurate service.
What is simultaneous interpreting?
Simultaneous interpreting is the oral translation of speech as it takes place. The translation therefore takes place with a time lag of a few seconds.
The interpreter, ideally installed in a soundproof booth, hears speech through headphones and translates it in real time, while the speaker continues to speak. In turn, the listeners hear him or her through earpieces. They can also sit at the back of the room, without a booth, and listen to the speech through headphones.
The biggest advantage of simultaneous interpreting is that it saves time. Speech is not interrupted while the translation is being carried out. However, some equipment is needed to ensure that the assignment runs smoothly: a soundproof booth, a headset fitted with a microphone and earphones. The logistics and hardware of simultaneous interpreting are just as important.
Simultaneous interpreting services from Swisstranslate: a team of language experts at your service
Thanks to its extensive network of over 3,000 linguists, Swisstranslate can guarantee you high-quality simultaneous interpreting services. All our interpreters are experienced professionals who follow a rigorous work process:
- The speaker expresses himself/herself: they deliver their speech into the microphone, regardless of the presence and intervention of the interpreter.
- The interpreter translates: placed in a soundproof booth, they are equipped with headphones through which they hear the speaker’s words. They give their translation in real time, into the microphone in front of them.
- The audience listens: equipped with headphones, the audience hears the interpretation in their mother tongue, and can interact with the speaker.
Unlike consecutive interpreting, the interpreter does not have to retain lengthy speeches. So there is less risk of information being omitted. Simultaneous interpreting also saves time compared with consecutive interpreting, as the interpreter does not wait until the speech or intervention is finished before providing the translation. Everything is carried out in real time.
Simultaneous interpreting requires a great deal of concentration and hard work. The interpreters therefore work in pairs, taking turns every twenty minutes to ensure a high-quality performance.
Swisstranslate can provide the right equipment for this type of assignment. In addition, we provide you with a technician who will ensure that the assignment runs smoothly (analysis of the room, installation of the appropriate equipment, feasibility test, etc.)
Applications of simultaneous interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting saves time compared with consecutive interpreting, and is particularly suitable for events involving a large number of different languages. Naturally, waiting for a translation into each language before continuing with the speech is unthinkable, which is why simultaneous interpreting is so popular with corporate clients and large organisations. These are some of the situations in which simultaneous interpreting makes sense:
- Major meetings or conferences: events bringing together many participants speaking different languages, or involving lively debates that are unlikely to be interrupted (as at the UN or the WTO, for example).
- Negotiations and business meetings: enabling a large number of people speaking different languages to follow the exchanges in real time, and take part in the event.
- Trials: with the simultaneous interpreter, the witness can respond as soon as the lawyer has finished asking their question.
Why choose Swisstranslate for your simultaneous interpreting services?
Swisstranslate is a trusted simultaneous interpreting agency. At Swisstranslate, we guarantee you a high-quality, reliable service. For almost 10 years, we have been assisting our customers with their language projects. We are available to respond quickly to your request, and we are flexible enough to adapt to your needs. We offer two options: simultaneous interpreting online (using software) or simultaneous interpreting on site, if the interpreter’s presence is required.
Our agency has also developed an equipment rental service, enabling us to offer you a complete solution for your interpreting needs. We can therefore guarantee interpreters meet your requirements, provide equipment adapted to your assignment (headsets, booths, etc.), and supply a technician, if necessary.
In addition, our interpreters scrupulously respect a code of ethics stipulating that they are bound by professional secrecy. They do not reveal anything about the content of the interpretation, respecting the confidentiality of your information, and show neutrality during the entire assignment: they don’t let their opinions or feelings show, and they don’t add to or detract from the meaning of what is being said. This ensures that your message remains faithful to the original.
How to book our simultaneous interpreting services?
Tell us about your project by e-mail or directly via our secure online form[CTA formulaire]. We will get back to you as soon as possible and send you questions about your project: dates, times, assignments, subjects, reference documents, etc. This allows us to provide you with an accurate quote. We then select a qualified and competent interpreter to carry out your simultaneous interpreting assignment.
- Your questions about our simultaneous interpreting services
What is the difference between consecutive and simultaneous interpreting?
The main difference between the two lies in the separation between the comprehension phase and the message reproduction phase. In simultaneous interpreting, there is no time available to render and structure the speech correctly in the target language. In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter has more time. It is therefore possible to detach oneself from the source language, and more easily avoid literal translations and undesirable interference.
How does simultaneous interpreting work?
The interpreter arrives before the start of the event (usually around twenty minutes before) so that he or she is already on site, introducing himself or herself and making contact with the customer. Simultaneous interpreting is generally carried out on a relay basis, so different interpreters quickly get to know each other. They also learn about the equipment available to them for the assignment. The interpreter can then test the equipment with the technicians, and make sure that everything is working.
How long does a simultaneous interpreting service last?
It lasts as long as you want, from 10 minutes to several days, if necessary. With simultaneous interpreting, the interpreters rotate every 20 minutes or so.
Nevertheless, physical interpretation is billed at a minimum of half a day or a full day depending on your project.
Do I need to provide any documents in advance for simultaneous interpreting?
Yes, ideally. The context of the assignment, the names of the people to be interviewed… The more reference documents the interpreter has, the better prepared he or she will be for the assignment and the more comfortable he or she will be with the subject. For example, they can practise pronouncing customers’ names correctly, find out about the company, prepare glossaries and so on. It is also possible to carry out a test session at the customer’s request.
How do I choose the right simultaneous interpreter for my event?
Swisstranslate will select a qualified interpreter for you according to your field and your requirements (male or female, area of expertise, years of experience, etc.). Several profiles can also be presented (CV, background, etc.) at the customer’s request.
We organise meetings between the selected profiles and the customer if necessary.
What equipment is needed for simultaneous interpreting?
Simultaneous interpreting requires a certain amount of equipment, such as booths, microphones, earpieces and so on. Swisstranslate can hire equipment for your assignment.
Which languages are most commonly used for simultaneous interpreting?
French, English, German and Italian, although Swisstranslate offers interpreting in over 100 languages.
How much does simultaneous interpreting cost?
Because every assignment is different, every project is unique: prices therefore vary according to the field, the language, the urgency, etc. We take several factors into account when drawing up a quote.
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