Simultaneous Interpreting
Conference interpreters for real-time interpreting
SMG Languages provides simultaneous interpreting services for events of all sizes. Its clients include leading institutions such as the European Union, the OECD and the Italian Defence, as well as numerous companies requiring professional conference interpreters for corporate conferences and general meetings.
What is simultaneous interpreting?
Simultaneous interpreters translate continuously and in real time while the speaker is talking. Professional interpreters speak clearly and fluently, reproducing the speaker’s tone as faithfully as possible.
How many interpreters are needed?
While a single interpreter can work alone for several hours in consecutive interpreting (where the interpreter speaks after the speaker has finished) or during business negotiations, two interpreters per language are recommended for simultaneous interpreting assignments lasting more than two hours. This is particularly important at conferences and events where the intensity of the work requires sustained concentration, making it necessary for interpreters to alternate. During prolonged assignments, working without alternating can lead to fatigue and compromise an interpreter’s performance, with serious consequences for the outcome of the conference.
What technology is needed?
For conferences, general meetings or guided tours with large numbers of participants, chuchotage (whispered interpreting) is not very practical, and it is preferable to set up a dedicated system to relay the interpreted speech to all participants. This typically involves headsets and microphones, with interpreters working in a soundproof booth, as you may have seen at conferences or in Parliament. The type of equipment varies according to the requirements of the event, and SMG Languages can provide practical, easy-to-use technical solutions.
Where is our simultaneous interpreting service available?
- Italy: simultaneous interpreters in many cities, including Rome, Milan, Brescia, Verona, Padua, Turin and Bologna;
- UK: simultaneous interpreters in London, Birmingham and throughout England;
- USA: simultaneous interpreting in major US cities such as New York, Boston and Los Angeles;
- France: simultaneous interpreting in French in Paris, Cannes and elsewhere;
- Germany, Switzerland and Austria: interpreters working in German, French or Italian.
We have provided interpreting services for
How to order our simultaneous services
Simply contact our offices and:
- Tell us the location, date, time, programme of events and language combinations required.
- Provide information and reference material on the subject matter (the speaker’s presentation, etc.) so that the interpreters can prepare thoroughly. We recommend arranging a briefing or a short phone call to explain the details of the event and the objectives of your speech: the interpreter will be your voice and must understand your position so that the result is not merely a literal translation. Specify whether you prefer a particular tone for the interpreting based on the characteristics of the audience and the objectives of the communication. For particularly effective communication, a company conference or a motivational course for the sales team may require a more energetic and engaging tone than a scientific conference or political meeting.
SMG firmly believes that good interpreting is not based on words alone, but also on communicative features such as intonation and pauses, which can make the difference between a monotonous, ‘machine-like’ rendition and an effective speech.
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