“Simultaneous” interpreting means the interpreter translates the speaker’s discourse as it occurs: in other words the speaker and the interpreter are talking at the same time. Simultaneous interpreting can occur in different settings with audience of different sizes. The equipment used by the interpreter varies accordingly: bidule/infoport for smaller audiences, or soundproof booths, headsets and microphones for larger audiences. We can provide the simultaneous interpreting service that’s best suited to the event.
Simultaneous interpreting using the traditional booth system ( over 60 participants) 1 or more language combinations
This is the interpreting service we use and recommend in “formal” meetings and congresses which enjoy a certain prestige and where immediacy is of the essence. The audience is typically composed of foreign guests with no language in common: there may be anything between 20 and 200 mixed French and English speakers, for example. In this case, we need 3 booths – one for each language – for simultaneous interpretation. The team is normally comprised of two interpreters per booth, working maximum daily shifts of 7 hours. When the working day exceeds seven hours, we need at least one extra interpreter per booth. The number of interpreters in the team varies according to the language pairs required, the number of working hours in the day, and the topic under discussion. The audience listen to the interpreter’s voice over headphones.
Simultaneous interpreting with the Small Conference system (up to 60 participants)
This is the interpreting service we use and recommend for brief meetings and congresses which enjoy a certain prestige and where immediacy is of the essence. Typically, only one foreign guest is present at such meetings. The interpreter and the speaker talk at the same time. In this scenario we hire a small attaché case-sized system comprising a headset for each guest, a small console and a headset and microphone for the interpreter. This type of assignment typically requires just one interpreter. For longer assignments, or assignments with more guests, we recommend a full team of interpreters and full simultaneous interpretation equipment.
Simultaneous interpreting with the Over Sound system (over 60 participants)
If the venue is quiet enough, no booth or headsets are needed.
If it has a PA system, all we need is a mixer, microphone and technician. Here the simultaneous interpreter effectively provides a voiceover. His/Her voice is superimposed on that of the speaker. The voice of the speaker (only with the Over sound system) is relegated to the back of the mix, with the voice of the interpreter dominating.
