Types of interpreting

(based on the articles by Lorna Paice and Isabelle Perez)

In order to define interpreting in general, it is useful to relate it to another

activity with which it is often confused, i.e. translation. The two activities
are similar in that they both involve the understanding of the source
language and of the underlying meaning, but they are different in terms of
the process used to transfer and deliver the message in the target language.
In most cases, translation involves written texts and therefore the
translator has the opportunity of revising and improving the previous
version of the translation. Unlike translators, interpreters have to deal with
fleeting messages which they have to convey orally under time constraints,
with very little room for error repair or stylistic improvement.
Two types of interpreting

conference interpreting liaison interpreting

consecutive simultaneous
interpreting interpreting

cabin whispered
interpreting interpreting

There are two sub-types within the category of conference interpreting,

based on the interpreting mode used by the interpreter:
 simultaneous, which occurs virtually at the same time as the original
discourse, and
 consecutive, which, as its names suggests, follows a segment of
speech varying in length from one short statement to an entire speech:

Simultaneous interpreting is the most common form used for multilingual

meetings and involves all floor contributions being relayed by microphone to
the team of interpreters who are located in soundproof booths within the
meeting room and transmit the interpretation (usually in their mother
tongue) back to the delegates through receivers by headsets.
Simultaneous interpreting often takes place during conferences and can involve
many interpreters simultaneously interpreting the source language into one of a
number of different target languages. This type of interpreting is normally used
when addressing a large number of people. A typical example of when this type
of interpreting requirement is used is the conferences for the European
Commission. Simultaneous interpreting may also be required during live media
broadcasts or during high profile court cases.
This type of interpreting requires a specialist set-up with microphones, headsets
and wiring to special sound-proofed booths. Therefore this type of interpreting
is not interactive between the speaker and listener. Normally cameras and
screens are also required for the interpreters to have sight of the speaker.
The term simultaneous interpreting is slightly misleading, as it is impossible to
interpret at exactly the same time as the speaker. Instead, an interpreter will
listen to a sentence or phrase for long enough until the meaning of that section of
speech is conveyed and then interpret it to the listener. The reason it is
simultaneous is because whilst interpreting to the listener, the interpreter has to
listen to and comprehend the next section of speech, as there will be no pause
from the speaker.
Simultaneous interpreting demands a very high level of concentration. As you
can imagine, there is a large amount of information that the brain is required to
process in a relatively short space of time. For this reason, interpreters can only
work effectively for twenty to thirty minutes before requiring a break.
A simultaneous interpreter also needs to be decisive in their interpreting. There is no time to reflect
upon their best choice of words. Any pause in interpreting and the next chunk of dialogue is missed.
And in a conference setting, there is certainly no opportunity to halt the speaker and ask them to
repeat what they have just said!

Whispered interpreting
Whispered interpreting or whispering is the technique also called chuchotage,
from French.
The interpreter whispers into the ear of the delegate.
Most often whispered interpreting is used exactly because it is cost-effective for
the client.
Whispered interpreting is used not only during conferences, but also in
community interpreting – during court proceedings, prosecutions, by authorities,
by police officers, in hospitals – or in cinema and theatre. Many consider it to be
only a subtype of simultaneous interpreting. Yet the United Nations Organization
and European Union acknowledge it as one of the main types of conference
interpreting. It is a technique that is also recognized and employed by the
Directorate-General for Interpreting and European Parliament.

Consecutive interpreting, on the other hand, is most often used for single
speeches and require interpreters to take notes before giving the
interpretation at appropriate intervals or at the end of the speech.
Consecutive interpreting normally takes place in smaller settings. An interpreter
will interpret back and forth between two people, or sometimes between small
groups of people. This type of interpreting is used in a variety of settings, for
example during a medical consultation, a meeting with a solicitor or if there is a
business meeting where one or more of the participants do not speak the same
language.
Unlike simultaneous interpreting, consecutive interpreting takes place with the
interpreter present in the same room as the other participants and in this
instance, no specialist equipment is required. One person speaks and once a few
sentences have been communicated, they will pause and the interpreter will
interpret the information to the other people. The interpreter will then also
interpret any responses back. An interpreter will often use a notepad to assist
them with the recall of the information.
Consecutive interpreters develop their own method of note-taking that allows
them to quickly and effectively interpret ideas from one speaker to another.
Although, they have more time to reflect on the phrasing that they use, the
method they develop still has to be efficient enough to enable the conversation
to flow as smoothly as possible.
Although a consecutive interpreter is present with the participants of a session,
they still aim to be as inconspicuous as possible. Eye contact and direction of
speech should always be between the two speakers, with the interpreter simply
providing the conversion of the information. Professional interpreters will be
experienced in this role, but for those participating in the session, who perhaps
are not used to working with interpreters, initially the experience can be a little
unnatural.

Liaison interpreting (LI).This is less well known term, and the situation is
complicated further by the fact that it may also be called community, ad hoc,
cultural, dialogue, bilateral interpreting and even consecutive interpreting
(by reference to the mode of interpreting used rather than to the type of
settings in which it takes place) Roberts (1997:7-26) provides a complete
review of these terms. Yet it is probably the most common form of
interpreting activity today, given that it takes place in varied settings in
which the interpreter - working between two languages - is usually
physically present, mediates between two or more individuals who do not
speak each other's language and usually uses the consecutive mode of
interpreting. Examples of the settings in which LI is used include various
general professional environments such as business and diplomatic
meetings, sight-seeing tours and education or cultural contacts, as well as
many situations in which people who are not fluent speakers of the official
language(s) of the country where they reside have to communicate with
the providers of public services, i.e. in legal, health, education, government
and social services settings.
Interpreting in these contexts is specifically referred to as Community
Interpreting or is known as Public Service Interpreting (PSI) in the UK. It
is appropriate to mention two variants in the area of PSI: telephone
interpreting, which is increasingly used by ambulance and other
emergency services.
Sight translation refers to the process of reading a document or piece of writing
in the original language, and translating it out loud in the target language. It is an
option for business or other professionals to receive or convey the meaning of
certain writings on a short notice. It is mostly, though not exclusively, used in
courtrooms, hospitals and conference rooms. Deposition transcripts, agreements
and prescription forms are among the documents that are sight translated the
most in these situations.
Sight translation is a quicker way of translating, especially when an interpreter is
already on site for an assignment. It helps both the client and the professional
tremendously, and is incredibly demanding for the interpreter, as it is a
combination of both translation and interpretation. When done right, it can
potentially be very helpful. But as it is not yet its own profession, not all
translators and interpreters are capable of doing this, as both these professions
value different aspects of languages.