Interpreters are responsible for aiding business communication in the global market. They are language experts and can fluently speak in more than one language. They are also high in demand when companies expand. Though different types of interpretation are used in all professional settings, consecutive and simultaneous interpretations are the most common types. Though the goal of both types is to relay spoken information from the original language, both are different. It is important to understand the differences so that you can identify which one is the best fit for your business.
Differences Between Consecutive and Simultaneous Interpretation
The main difference between the two interpretation types is that simultaneous interpretation happens in real time. In consecutive interpreting, the interpreters wait for the speaker to pause or finish speaking before they start translating.
Simultaneous Interpretation
It takes a lot of experience and field knowledge to become a simultaneous interpreter. In simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter gets a few seconds to listen and interpret. It is quite a difficult task.
A simultaneous interpreter interprets only in one direction. It means that they only translate for the listeners — without creating a two-way communication. They usually listen to the speaker speaking in their second language and translate it into the listeners’ native language.
In many cases, a simultaneous interpreter has knowledge of more than two languages, and they are advantageous for an organization. Simultaneous interpretation saves time, and it takes a strong vocabulary and grammatical ability to translate accurately.
Many organizations are required to hire several interpreters to upkeep the quality of interpretation. The interpreters work together and change their roles every 30 minutes or so.
Consecutive Interpretation
In this type, the interpreter listens to the speaker and writes down the information. When the speaker is finished, the interpreter interprets the message into another language. The speaker and the interpreter have to maintain strict time management. In this type of interpretation, the interpreter gets more time to translate the message accurately and fluently.
Like simultaneous interpretation, a consecutive interpreter also needs to have superb linguistic skills and a great memory. They need to listen to the speaker’s entire message and convey it into another language. Consecutive interpretation takes more time than simultaneous interpretation, as the interpreter delivers the translated version after the original speech.
The type of interpretation you need highly depends upon the kind of events for which you are hiring an interpreter. However, whether it is a small business meeting, court proceeding, or a conference, you will find an interpreter for everything.
