We are Italian mother-tongue bilingual Conference Interpreters, based in London and travel extensively for meetings in Europe and beyond.
Conference Interpreting encompasses Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting.
In Simultaneous Interpreting, interpreters sit in sound-proof booths and listen to the speakers through headphones. They translate what the speaker says in real time into a microphone and their voice is fed to the delegates who listen to the language of their choice through headphones. This technique is used for large multilingual meetings or for formal gatherings and is the most time efficient.
In Consecutive Interpreting, interpreters sit by the speaker and take notes. Once the speaker has finished his/her statement, the interpreter translates it aloud by reading his/her notes. This technique is used for smaller meetings and is more time consuming.
There is also another form of interpreting, called Whispered Interpreting (or Chuchotage), whereby the interpreter sits behind or next to the delegate(s) – generally no more than 2 – and whispers the translation simultaneously. This technique is used for small and shorter meetings. It is best suited to discussions and is not advisable for very formal presentations.
“Give every man thy ear but few thy voice” (William Shakespeare)