INTERPRETING FOR BUSINESSES
Are you looking for an interpreter to accompany you to an exhibition, or do you require interpreters for a conference or a business meeting? The perfect solution is as varied as your demands, and we will gladly develop one in collaboration with you.
Other forms of interpreting:
Conference interpreting is used at conferences, where different interpreting methods might overlap. Conference interpreting includes consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting and whispered interpreting.
(Simultaneous interpreting at a whisper for 1-2 individuals without the aid of the usual interpreting tools.)
Simultaneous interpreting places the highest demands on the interpreter. The interpreter must transmit the spoken word into another language virtually in real time. This act requires absolute concentration and an excellent knowledge of the language and subject matter. Ideally, simultaneous interpreting takes place in a booth. Here, the interpreter listens to the spoken language through headphones and simultaneously interprets it into a microphone. From there, it is transmitted to the recipients’ headphones. As speeches are often transmitted into several languages, booths are used for the various interpreters. The listeners then individually choose the channel which transmits their language.
This special type of interpreting is both mentally (high concentration) and physically (vocal stress) taxing and demands a sophisticated interpreting technique and high competence. Longer speeches are generally interpreted in teams of at least two interpreters. After about 20 minutes, the interpreters in the booth switch as the ability to concentrate inevitably tends to lessen at this point.
In order to interpret efficiently, simultaneous interpreters need the following information in advance:
From which language into which language shall the interpreter interpret? What country is the speaker from and what language or dialect does he or she speak? Will he or she be speaking in his or her native tongue? What country is the audience from? What is the topic of the speech? How long will the interpreter be needed?
It is in everyone’s best interest that the interpreter has all relevant documents on hand. It goes without saying that a well or fully prepared interpreter will be able to interpret at a much higher level and can avoid misinterpretations. Simultaneous interpreting is not only used for speeches, conferences and presentations. This technique is also used in court trials and similar settings, where it generally does not take place in booths and is performed in the form of so-called whispered interpreting.
In the case of consecutive interpreting, the interpreter does not transmit the spoken word until the speaker pauses and gives the interpreter the necessary time to do so. The speaker and interpreter thus do not speak at the same time. This type of interpreting is suited for conferences, addresses, toasts, receptions and openings. The longer the individual speech segments are, the higher the demand placed on the interpreter. The spoken passages should not exceed 10 minutes in order to avoid loss of information and to prevent a reduction of the interpreter’s ability to concentrate. While listening to the speech, the interpreter takes notes in his or her individual style. This notation technique is neither stenography nor any other means of transcribing the speech. Instead, it is an individual technique to keep track of the thread of the speech by using characters, symbols and abbreviations and to note down important information (such as figures).
These notes help the interpreter to recall the spoken passages which he is to interpret, including the important information contained therein, and to transmit them into the target language. The advantage of consecutive interpreting is that no costs are incurred for interpreting equipment, and the interpreter can interpret to and from both languages, if necessary. In addition, the atmosphere is more personal, and the interpreter can ask questions when in doubt. The time consumed, however, is much higher than in the case of simultaneous interpreting.
Liaison interpreting is bilateral consecutive interpreting between two interlocutors or in small groups.
The interpreting occurs consecutively, meaning in turn, but usually sentence by sentence or paragraph by paragraph
(often in the form of questions and answers). This ensures that the conversation remains natural and lively.
In this situation, the interpreter generally does not have to take notes.
Liaison interpreters provide smooth communication between interlocutors. They are used in business negotiations and small meetings, by public authorities and doctors and when meeting business partners in restaurants.
One form of liaison interpreting is escort interpreting. The interpreter accompanies a person or delegation and interprets their conversations with changing interlocutors. This form of interpreting is common when attending exhibitions abroad, for example. Visiting business partners from foreign countries are often provided with an escorting interpreter as well. In addition to an excellent knowledge of the language and subject matter, other qualities are also important for escorting interpreters. The interpreter must be proficient in common social etiquette and have excellent table manners, as interpreting often takes place during dinner conversations.