Consecutive interpreting

Articles >> Consecutive interpreting

What is a consecutive interpreter?
When using the services of a consecutive interpreter the speaker regularly pauses, enabling the interpreter to render his translation. Usually the speaker pauses after every sentence or phrase. Although this is a time consuming procedure, it can lead to a higher degree of correctness and completeness in the translation, since a consecutive interpreter gets more time to do his work than a simultaneous interpreter. A consecutive interpreter will also not 'compress' the translation, something that does often happen in simultaneous interpreting.

When needed?
The need for a consecutive interpreter is most prevalent in informal business settings such as tradeshows, exhibits, or business meetings in which the parties elect to pause for translation. in these settings, time is allowed for translation and it is more customary for each party to wait for their appropriate verbal translation. Even in formal settings if there is only one speaker who will be speaking in a different language or if there is no equipment for simultaneous interpretation available there may be a consecutive interpreter.

Examples:
You are organizing a long conference for English speaking visitors. Only one speaker will be speaking in Chinese. In those circumstances it is more convenient to use a consecutive interpreter and a second microphone.
Or you are organizing an event where there is a minority of speakers who will be speaking in a different language than the local language, and there is no equipment available for simultaneous interpretation. In this case it is also better to use a consecutive interpreter.

How many interpreters do you need?
Generally the use of one consecutive interpreter will suffice. Some interpreters consider it less strenuous work than simultaneous interpretation (although the opinions on this subject seem to differ...), which has a positive effect on the endurance of the interpreter.

Are there different kinds of consecutive interpreters?
Not really. Some distinguish between regular interpreting and conversation interpreting, but the work is essentially the same. (Except for those cases where the interpretation of a conversation is done simultaneously, of course.)
To be complete in our description, we should also mention the tourism interpreter or accompanying interpreter, they qualify more as a consecutive interpreter than as a simultaneous interpreter. These types of interpreters will accompany guide a trip or excursion and render cultural stories or jokes to be understood in the target language.

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