What is simultaneous interpretation?

Simultaneous interpretation, abbreviated as "simultaneous interpreting" or also known as "simultaneous translation" and "synchronous interpretation", as the name implies, refers to a translation method in which interpreters continuously interpret the content for the audience without interrupting the speaker. Simultaneous interpreters provide instant translation through specialized equipment. This method is applicable to large-scale seminars and international conferences and usually involves two to three interpreters taking turns.

I. Forms of Simultaneous Interpretation

During a conference, interpreters will sit in a small, soundproof room (commonly known as the "booth") and use professional equipment to simultaneously interpret the content they hear from their headphones into the target language and output it through a microphone. Conference participants who need simultaneous interpretation services can adjust to the language channel they require through a receiving device and obtain the translated information from their headphones.

II. Characteristics of Simultaneous Interpretation

The most prominent characteristic of simultaneous interpretation is its high efficiency. The average interval time for translation is three to four seconds, and it can be up to more than ten seconds at most. To a certain extent, it saves the listeners' time and does not affect or interrupt the speaker's speech, which is conducive to the listeners' understanding of the full text of the speech and greatly improves work efficiency. Another characteristic is that simultaneous interpretation is highly academic and professional. Interpreters are required to understand and translate the speech content within just a few seconds, so the requirements for the quality of interpreters are relatively high.

III. Equipment Required for Simultaneous Interpretation

It consists of a simultaneous interpretation central controller, an infrared transmitting host, infrared transmitting panels, interpreter consoles, simultaneous interpretation booths, simultaneous interpretation headphones (representing receiving units), etc. The number of interpreter consoles and booths will be determined according to the number of conference languages. The number of simultaneous interpretation headphones (representing receiving units) will be determined according to the number of conference participants.

Infrared wireless simultaneous interpretation equipment can ensure wireless transmission and reception in any type of conference venue. Various languages can be transmitted to all parts of the conference using an infrared transmitter, and they can be listened to with personal infrared receivers equipped with headphones. The received signal is strong, with little interference and clear sound quality. Wireless simultaneous interpretation equipment easily enables representatives of multilingual conferences to communicate without obstacles.

IV. Career Prospects of Simultaneous Interpreters

Simultaneous interpretation talents are globally scarce and among the most difficult to cultivate. With the increasingly frequent exchanges between China and the world and the improvement of China's international status, nowadays, no matter where an international conference is held, the Chinese language is indispensable, and Chinese simultaneous interpreters are also essential. There are almost international conferences held around the world every day, and an increasing number of international conferences are being held in China. It can be said that the market for simultaneous interpreters is huge both domestically and internationally. It is said that even the European Union and Australia have invited Chinese teachers to train their simultaneous interpreters for them. The market prospects of simultaneous interpretation are looking more and more promising.

At present, although many people want to enter the field of simultaneous interpretation, due to the extremely strict selection of simultaneous interpreters, the market for simultaneous interpretation is still in short supply. Therefore, whether domestically or globally, the career prospects of simultaneous interpreters remain bright.

Guoyi Translation adheres to the intellectual style of "meticulously refining every word and every fact" and is committed to providing high-quality translation services. Over more than twenty years of translation experience, Airui Global Translation has accumulated a large number of resources. It has 21,285 contracted interpreters worldwide, can accurately translate more than 120 languages, and its service scope covers more than 45 countries and regions. It serves multiple fields such as energy, entertainment, IT, law, and medicine, and cooperates with more than 7,210 enterprises, including many Fortune 500 companies such as PetroChina, China Life, and Microsoft. It also participates more deeply in many large international conferences such as the China International Import Expo and the Boao Forum for Asia. The cumulative number of 35,000+ customers has built up an excellent reputation.

◀️：What is consecutive interpreting？

▶️：Translation Services Provided for the [China - Switzerland] Kick-off Meeting