| |
|
|
|
 |
 Understanding Simultaneous Interpretation |
|
Simultaneous interpretation is a highly specialized area of translations, which requires accurate and complete translation, orally and at the same rate of speech as the speaker, with only a few seconds of lag time.
Simultaneous interpreters must have, not only complete mastery of the languages, but also of their cultures. In addition, they must have technical knowledge of the subject to be discussed, as well as the required simultaneous interpretation training, skill, and experience.
However, even the best simultaneous interpreters cannot do a proper job unless they have appropriate equipment. Therefore, simultaneous interpretation must be approached as a coherent whole.
This means that interpreters and interpretation equipment must be selected and designed to work together for the specific interpretation project.
 The question often arises of why we need specialized technical simultaneous interpreters for certain jobs. Many times clients have been told by other interpretation providers that good simultaneous interpreters can do any type of interpretation, as long as they are given a glossary of terms.
This is a question that needs clarification, as many disreputable agencies and equipment companies use the omniscience of their simultaneous interpreters as one of their big selling points. Sometimes, they'll argue that they can save the client money by using local interpreters; other times, they'll claim to have interpreters on staff for all subjects and languages. |
|
| Don't believe it. |
Not long ago we bid on a three-day meeting in San Antonio, Texas dealing with chemical engineering research. The other agency bidding against us used the argument, most convincingly, that their simultaneous interpreters were not only local (thus saving the client travel expenses), but also so experienced that all they needed was a glossary of terms. We, on the other hand, told the client that their topic required specialized technical interpreters and that there were no simultaneous interpreters in San Antonio with the required qualifications.
The prospective client did not believe us; they even told us that we were inflating the cost by pretending to bring people in from out of town when the other agency had told them that there were "hundreds of qualified interpreters right there." Naturally, the other agency was awarded the contract. |
|
| But that was not the end of the story. |
On the first morning of the meeting our telephone rang. It was the meeting organizer asking us if there was any way that we could take over. He explained that they had to stop the meeting, since the interpreters weren't keeping up with the speeches; they were interpreting sporadic bits and pieces of the talks and the foreign delegates said that even when they did try to interpret, what they said made no sense.
Stories such as this have become all too common in the past couple of years, as more and more people fall prey to disreputable agencies willing to say and promise anything to win a contract. Don't believe them: No simultaneous interpreter worthy of the name will claim to be able to handle all subjects.
Technical simultaneous interpreters are simultaneous interpreters with in-depth knowledge of a particular technical field. Competence as a simultaneous interpreter is not enough.
It is impossible to interpret a speech, unless the interpreter has an extensive knowledge of the technology involved and the latest background information in both the source language and the target language. Only the interpreter who fulfills those criteria is a technical simultaneous interpreter.
Above all, make sure that you are not dealing with a broker.
All a broker-agency will do is subcontract your meeting by bits and pieces. This is the surest way to have your interpretation fall apart! |
 |
| | |
|
|
