INTERPRETING SERVICES

Interpreting, in general terms, is the task of making ideas more understandable and this is at the heart of the services that Translation Expertise offers. Our interpreting service aims to foster integration and understanding between different people and language groups. Both consecutive interpretation and simultaneous interpreting services are offered.

Translation Expertise’s interpreting service is backed by a team of talented interpreters who can easily communicate between the target languages without a minute’s delay, serving an important role in international relations. Our interpretation service is concerned with conveying the core meaning of language, rather than providing a confusing direct translation. Each multi-lingual interpreter on our team is knowledgeable in specialised fields and this broad knowledge base adds to the flexibility of our interpreting services.

Interpreting Types

CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETING

Consecutive Interpreting is the most popular type of interpreting as it does not require any specialist equipment or complex planning. Your speaker delivers a few sentences and then pauses whilst the Consecutive Interpreter repeats what has just been said in the target language. The Consecutive Interpreter may interpret for the whole group or, as is becoming increasingly common, sit next to an individual and whisper what has just been said. Consecutive Interpreting is not performed in real-time.

Consecutive Interpreters – examples of use

After dinner speech by head of foreign affiliate. Interpreter will listen to the speech and repeat what has just been said in the target language.

Visit by foreign delegation to a factory. Manager explains how machines work to a small group of foreign executives. Interpreter accompanies the group and interprets what has just been said.

Presentation by marketing department to international sales team.

Hiring a Consecutive Interpreter – things to be aware of

Think of an interpreter as someone who has just joined your company to start a new job. There will undoubtedly be acronyms, technical terms and politics which will be unfamiliar to the interpreter. Briefing him or her on such issues before the assignment will lead to a far more satisfactory day for all involved. Interpreters will always find it useful if you can provide some background information about the company and its products well ahead of the assignment. It is important to provide drafts of speeches and explain any specialist vocabulary before an event.

FACILITATING INTERPRETING

Facilitating Interpreting covers a range of activities. Typically many people talk and many people listen alternately. Facilitating Interpreting is the term used to describe work which is less structured than Consecutive Interpreting assignments.

Sometimes you just need someone bilingual on hand who can help out with ad-hoc requirements during an event. Facilitating Interpreters are often hired to attend international corporate hospitality events and team building sessions. They are a great help in making your clients and staff feel comfortable and can help avoid misunderstandings and consequent embarrassment.

Facilitating Interpreters are often used when some group members have a smattering of both (or all) the languages involved and require someone bilingual to clarify points of confusion by saying it ‘in other words’. Other times, the various group members can only speak their native language, in which case we can help by switching between Consecutive Interpreting to the group and providing one-to-one help to group members who are struggling.

Facilitator interpreters – examples of use

• Marketing department running a ‘focus group’ exercise as part of a new product initiative.
• Information systems department involved in a global software development project running a workshop to decide on roles and responsibilities.
• A colleague from a foreign affiliate needs help understanding what is being discussed in meetings or over dinner.

Hiring a facilitator interpreter – things to be aware of

If you need someone to facilitate at meetings where the subject matter is very specialised, please provide as much background as possible to help us select the most appropriate individual to help you. It is difficult for a single interpreter to facilitate in very large meetings/workshops. If you intend to have more than (approximately) 8 people present, consider splitting the group and running two meetings either simultaneous (you will need to hire another facilitator) or consecutively. If you know in advance, or even suspect, that you will want the facilitator to accompany your team to dinner in the evening, please mention this at the time of booking so he/she can make personal and travel arrangements.