In South Africa, simultaneous conference interpreters are often invisible, yet present at important political, scientific, sporting and cultural events. In fact, simultaneous conference interpreters play a vital role in facilitating effective cross-language communication at multilingual events whether in Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria or Cape Town.
They face the daunting task of conveying what is being said in real time, closely following the speaker’s pace and maintaining the natural rhythm of speech. To do this, they need a few key qualities, such as nerves of steel and a broad knowledge of the world. And, of course, a perfect command of at least two languages is a must.
This article provides a comprehensive understanding of who conference simultaneous interpreters are in South Africa – the importance, benefits, challenges and applications of their work in South Africa.
Defining conference simultaneous interpreting in South Africa
Generally speaking, there are two types of interpreting: consecutive and simultaneous. In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter interprets as soon as the speaker has finished speaking. This gives the interpreter invaluable time to take notes and write down a few numbers, names and surnames, as well as bullet points of the most important points raised during the speech. There’s one major drawback to this solution – it adds considerable length to the speech. This problem can be solved by using a simultaneous interpreter, who interprets the speech in a special booth at exactly the same time. The message is relayed to the audience via headphones, allowing the speech to be translated into several languages without any loss of time.
Simultaneous interpreting (SI) is the most demanding form of interpreting, requiring the interpreter to provide a real-time oral translation as the speaker delivers his or her original message. The interpreter listens to the original speech through headphones, translates it orally into the target language in real time, and transmits it to the audience through wireless headphones equipped with a receiver.
Simultaneous interpreting requires speed and precision, as the interpreter must keep pace with the speaker to minimise the time gap between the original speech and the interpretation. The aim is for the translated speech to closely follow the speaker’s words, with a delay of no more than 2 seconds, so that the interpreter does not lose track of the message. This level of immediacy is why the term “simultaneous” is used, as interpretation takes place in near real time.
Always in pairs: An insight into the process of conference simultaneous interpreting
Unfortunately, simultaneous interpreting requires a great deal of mental effort. It is generally recommended that conference simultaneous interpreters take a break after no more than 30 minutes of continuous interpreting, although this can vary depending on many factors. This is why simultaneous interpreting is always carried out by a team of two interpreters per language combination, working in shifts and changing roles every 20 to 30 minutes. One interpreter interprets while the other helps with tasks such as writing down important information or searching for helpful terms. The interpreters work in a soundproof booth equipped with a 2-channel audio transmission system. If an interpreter feels tired or uncomfortable, his or her colleague takes over.
Benefits of conference simultaneous interpreting in South Africa
The real-time nature of simultaneous interpretation allows speakers to continue uninterrupted while the interpreter carefully translates their words into the target language. This approach allows for multilingual presentations, with delegates able to select their preferred language channel via headsets. This method preserves the fluidity of the presentation and minimises time constraints, making it particularly suitable for large conferences.
Simultaneous interpretation also requires the attention of the audience. Participants must focus on the interpreter’s words, which promotes a deeper connection with the content. This is particularly valuable when dealing with diverse audiences who are prone to distraction.
Disadvantages of conference simultaneous interpreting in South Africa
Despite its advantages, simultaneous interpreting lacks the interactivity of other forms of interpreting. It is also more expensive because it requires two interpreters per target language and breaks to maintain accuracy. The need for specialised equipment – soundproof booths, conference headsets, cabling, microphones, cameras and screens – adds to the overall cost.
Frenchside, you conference partner
Simultaneous interpretation at conferences and live events is a complex process. At Frenchside Language Services, we take the burden off of our customers by putting together the entire simultaneous package from gathering highly trained professional linguists to setting up the sound booths, wireless equipment, and distribution and collection of the equipment to insure your next live event runs without a hitch whether in Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria or Cape Town.
All our estimates include travel time and travel costs, so there are no ‘hidden extras’. Contact us today for a free immediate quote Email: info@frenchside.co.za , Cell: +27 (0) 81-347-6060/Tel: +27 (0) 12-348-3134
