Modes of Interpretation

Simultaneous Interpretation:  There is no pause, no loss of body language between the speaker and the audience.  Interpreters convey the meaning of the message at the same time that the speaker does, with a minimum delay to allow an elegant delivery into the target language. 

Large Team. 2 to 4 interpreters per booth, per language.  This mode of simultaneous interpretation is used by United Nations Organizations and mayor world class conferences.  Interpreters work from one or more languages (passive language) into one language exclusively (active language).   

Restricted Team. 2 to 4 interpreters per booth, per language, but interpreters are responsible for also returning into a specific language designated as pivot language.  This mode is used for more complex language combinations and greatly reduces overall interpreter fees, travel, accommodation and equipment expenses. 

The restricted team modality is used extensively in the Americas region.  As an example, a conference with 10 conference rooms and four languages in each room (English, Spanish, French and Dutch),  only uses 6 interpreters and 3 booths per room, instead of 8 interpreters and 4 booths per room.  Using this modality, and with efficient agenda planning and coordination, the organizer may reduce interpreter requirements, downsizing equipment needs also.  In this mode interpreters have to be very carefully selected, since not all colleagues are capable to interpret back into a pivot language.  Although individual interpreter rates may be slightly higher, in large conferences the organizer may save in overall interpreter fees, airfare, accommodations and equipment rental expenses.

Consecutive Interpretation: Generally used in small meetings, escorting, field trips, press conferences, official visits by heads of state and other government officials. The speaker pauses to allow the interpreter to repeat into the target language what has been previously said.  Consecutive Interpretation assignments may also include a mixture of whispering for small sub-audiences (1 or 2 people) and simultaneous interpretation for short meetings using very lightweight, easily transportable equipment (no booth), that the interpreters carry in a briefcase from meeting to meeting.  Interpreters work in language pairs, alternating every half hour for a maximum of 7 hours.  Consecutive interpretation is only applicable in two language scenarios.

Whispering:  The interpreter sits behind the listener (2 persons max), and whispers what the speaker is saying using simultaneous interpretation.  Whispering is used for very short meetings (30 minutes) with a reduced audience (1 or 2 persons who require interpretation) and special situations where equipment installation is not feasible.

AIIC Member and ConferenceInterpreter.com Director Yvonne Bellion working for Haitian Presdient Rene Preval and SICLAC President Jose Francisco Pena Gomez

Conference Interpreter Yvone Bellion working for President Joaquin Balaguer and French Ambassador Paul Guymard