How Simultaneous Interpreting Supports High-Stakes Communication
Simultaneous interpreting has been a keystone of high-stakes multilingual communication since it was first employed at the Nuremberg Trials in 1945. Sometimes called the “trial of six million words” due to the sheer volume of words in the transcripts, the main trial was completed in just 10 months, largely thanks to the interpreters who tested the then-new method of interpreting.
Unlike consecutive interpreting, in which the interpreter waits for the speaker to finish speaking before providing an interpretation into the target language, simultaneous interpreting requires the interpreter to listen carefully to the speaker in the source language and provide a target language interpretation at the same time.
In turn, it’s much faster-paced than consecutive interpreting, lending itself well to high-stakes, time-sensitive settings like medical emergencies and trials. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at simultaneous interpreting, exploring how it enhances clarity and speed across various fields, including law, healthcare, business, and more.
Table of Contents
What Is Simultaneous Interpreting?
Why Simultaneous Interpreting Is Essential for High-Stakes Communication
Benefits of Simultaneous Interpreting
How to Choose a Simultaneous Interpreting Service
Future Trends in Simultaneous Interpreting
What Is Simultaneous Interpreting?
Simultaneous interpreting is a method of interpreting wherein the speaker and the interpreter speak more or less at the same exact time—as the speaker talks in the source language, the interpreter listens carefully and speaks in the target language.
There’s typically a small lag between the two parties, as the interpreter usually waits a few short seconds to jump in and begin interpreting, also known as the “ear-voice gap.” Interpreters have to be careful with how long they wait to jump in—too soon and they’re likely to use unnatural structure and vocabulary that mimics the source language. But if they wait too long, they’re liable to forget too much of what was said earlier on. This skill requires a finely tuned working memory, and unlike consecutive interpreting, the interpreter does not know how a given sentence is going to end when they start interpreting.
You’ll commonly see simultaneous interpreting in healthcare settings, especially in time-sensitive emergencies, as well as in the courts and other legal settings. Multilingual conferences also commonly employ simultaneous interpreting as well. Due to its challenging nature and the fact that it’s often used in high-stakes settings, simultaneous interpreting requires a lot of practice—it’s not enough to be proficient in two languages. Formal graduate training in interpretation is often required to work as a simultaneous interpreter.
Why Simultaneous Interpreting Is Essential for High-Stakes Communication
When it comes to high-stakes communication like medical emergencies, delays, even small ones, can lead to negative outcomes. Miscommunication in medical emergencies has been shown to increase the risk of harm by 30% or more. By quickly reducing the risk of miscommunication, simultaneous interpreting can help save lives.
By eliminating delays in critical moments, simultaneous interpreting allows you to deliver your message much quicker than you could with consecutive interpreting, which effectively doubles the length of any conversation. Whether you’re dealing with a medical emergency or conducting international diplomacy, simultaneous interpreting is generally your best bet for accurate and speedy delivery of interpreting services.
Here are a few industries and scenarios where simultaneous interpreting is typically used:
- International diplomacy and the United Nations
- Global business negotiations
- Legal proceedings
- Healthcare and emergency response
- Live events and media
- Webinars
Benefits of Simultaneous Interpreting
Here are a few of the advantages of using simultaneous interpreting in high-stakes settings:
- Speed: Because the interpreter and speakers are not taking turns to speak, there are no delays as there are with consecutive interpreting.
- Accessibility: The speaker’s message is more immediately accessible to the target-language audience.
- Engagement: Because audience members do not have to wait as long to hear the target language, they can stay more engaged in the conversation.
- Accuracy: Simultaneous interpreters must be highly trained in what they do—by working with trained and experienced professionals, the risk of miscommunication is quite low.
Challenges and Best Practices
Although simultaneous interpreting has many benefits, there are some challenges in its implementation. Because of the high cognitive load of this task, interpreters often experience significant burnout. To reduce the risk of burnout, it’s a good idea to work with a team of two or more interpreters who can switch out with one another, allowing the other team members to take breaks.
Interpreters can also reduce the risk of burnout by preparing beforehand. It’s a good idea to provide your interpreter with basic notes or a run-of-show in advance so they can prepare themselves and brush up on the terminology they’ll need to use on the day of.
Additionally, interpreters need to have the right technology and preparation for the job. Simultaneous interpreting often requires specialized audio equipment, such as a pair of high-quality headphones and a microphone. Remote simultaneous interpreting usually requires additional technology, such as interpreting software.
How to Choose a Simultaneous Interpreting Service
If you need interpreting services, the best way to get connected with an interpreter is through a language service provider like Avantpage. A language service provider will handle all the heavy lifting of matching you with an interpreter who suits your needs and making sure they have the proper equipment.
When shopping around for a language service provider, here are a few things to consider:
- How do they vet their interpreters? Interpreting—simultaneous interpreting in particular—requires in-depth training. Look for agencies that work with experienced interpreters who have strong formal training, such as graduate-level studies or relevant certifications such as NBCMI certification for medical services.
- What industries do they specialize in? If you’re a healthcare organization, you’ll want to make sure the provider you work with has experience in medical interpreting, for example.
- What kind of technology and preparation is needed? Make sure that your interpreters are as prepared as they can possibly be.
- Do you need multiple interpreters? Simultaneous interpreting is extremely taxing—if you’re going to need interpreting services for several hours, it’s important to work with multiple interpreters, so that your interpreters can take breaks as needed.
Future Trends in Simultaneous Interpreting
Demand for interpreters is growing—the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for interpreters will grow by at least 4% by 2032.
Remote simultaneous interpreting has been on the rise for quite a while now, with the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a boom in demand for interpreting services delivered remotely, either by video or phone call. While there’s certainly still demand for in-person services, it’s likely that remote services will continue to grow.
Likewise, the recent rise of artificial intelligence technology has also made waves in the fields of translation and interpreting. But it’s important to note that human interpreters aren’t going anywhere just yet, as human reviewers still have to review automatically translated documents to verify their accuracy. Likely, there will always be some level of human-in-the-loop oversight in the interpretation process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Simultaneous Interpreting
What is simultaneous interpreting, and how does it work?
Simultaneous interpreting is a form of interpreting in which the interpreter speaks at the same time as the target-language speaker. The interpreter does not wait for the speaker to finish their utterance before interpreting; both parties speak at the same time.
In which settings is simultaneous interpreting most effective?
Simultaneous interpreting is most effective in high-stakes settings that require quick and accurate delivery of information. This includes courtrooms, medical emergencies, diplomatic settings, and multilingual conferences, to name a few settings.
How does simultaneous interpreting improve outcomes in high-stakes situations?
Simultaneous interpreting can improve outcomes in high-stakes situations in several ways. First, it reduces delays, allowing each party to maintain a more fluid, natural conversation. Simultaneous interpreting also requires a high level of training and skill. When you work with a vetted simultaneous interpreter, you can rest assured that you’re working with one of the most qualified individuals available.
What are the differences between simultaneous and consecutive interpreting?
With simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter and speaker both speak at the same time. With consecutive interpreting, the interpreter waits for the speaker to finish speaking before speaking. Consecutive interpreting is a slower process, as the interpreter must take turns with each speaker.
How can organizations ensure quality in simultaneous interpreting services?
When seeking out simultaneous interpreting services, it’s important to find a language service provider you can trust. Ask them about their vetting process for their interpreters, what industries they have experience in, and how their interpreters prepare for a session. The answers to these questions will help you find the right interpreting service for your needs.
Conclusion
When you’ve got high-stakes communication needs, simultaneous interpreting is the way to go. From medical emergencies to diplomatic missions, simultaneous interpreting enables people to communicate freely and fluidly without having to take long breaks between speakers.
You never know when a time-sensitive emergency is going to come up, which is why organizations must prepare in advance by partnering with a trusted language service provider who can offer on-demand simultaneous interpreting services.
At Avantpage, we offer in-person and remote simultaneous interpreting services, with on-demand interpreters in more than 150 languages. With AvantInterpret, you can get connected to an accredited, specialized interpreter in as little as 30 seconds to ensure timely communication in high-stakes settings. If you’re looking for simultaneous interpreting services, contact us today at (530) 750-2040 or [email protected]. Or, request a free quote now.
