AIIC (top)
The International Association of Conference Interpreters, based in Geneva, Switzerland. One of the premiere professional associations for simultaneous interpreters with a strong world-wide membership. Members are held to specific ethical and professional standards.
ALS (top)
Assistive Listening System, generally referring to systems designed for the hearing impaired. Required by law at most venues and event. Most of this type of equipment can also be used for simultaneous interpretation.
Conference Microphones (top)
Special microphones designed for discussions which can be activated by the delegates as well as the technician. Some have on/off buttons with lights and can be controlled by the chairman. Some are semi-voice activated and controlled with special mixers or microphone control consoles. Conventional microphones can normally only be activated by the technician which can be very cumbersome and difficult for the interpreters in a discussion setting.
Control Console (top)
This unit is manned by a technician and controls all the interpreter stations in a room, including the incoming feed level to the interpreters and the outgoing level to the transmitter and delegates. The technician can monitor any of the interpreters through this unit.
Floor Languages (top)
The language or languages spoken on the "floor" - by the speakers, discussion participants or delegates asking questions.
Interpretation, types of
Consecutive Interpretation: (top)
Also known as "consec". The interpreter takes notes and interprets what the speaker has said into another language. If the speech or presentation is longer than a few minutes, a single thought, or a paragraph, the speaker must pause periodically for the interpreter before continuing. This type of interpretation is very precise and is viewed as somewhat formal. It is commonly used for formal meetings between two heads of state. It is more time consuming than simultaneous and should be limited to two languages.
Remote Simultaneous Interpretation: (top)
The same as standard simultaneous interpretation (see definition below) except that the interpreters' booths are located in a remote location rather than in the back of the room. This remote site can be backstage, in a nearby or adjacent room, or in an external venue which may be in another city, state or country. Remote sites are linked via video and audio using a variety of technologies such as satellite, teleconferencing, or digital spread spectrum. Remote interpretation from external sites requires specialized technology. Click here for more information.
Simultaneous Interpretation: (top)
Simultaneous Interpretation is a process which allows people to communicate directly across language and cultural boundaries using specialized technology and professional interpreters who are trained to listen to one language while speaking simultaneously in another. The interpreters sit in small sound isolation booths in the back of the conference room and listen to the conference proceedings on headsets while simultaneously interpreting into a microphone. The interpretation is broadcast via a wireless system to the delegates who listen on small receivers with earphones. The receivers are multi-channel so the delegates can select the channel that corresponds to the language they wish to hear.
Whisper Interpretation (without equipment): (top)
This is a variation of normal simultaneous interpretation. The interpreter sits next to or behind up to 3 listeners and whispers the interpretation without the use of any equipment. Because this style of interpretation is extremely demanding for both the interpreter and the listener it is normally performed only when other styles of interpretation cannot be used and it must be done for only very brief periods of time.
Whisper Interpretation (with equipment): (top)
This is a variation to the above -- the interpreter wears a portable
transmitter with a microphone, listening to the conference proceedings
with the naked ear. The interpreter whispers into the microphone
while the delegates listen on small wireless receivers from anywhere
within range of the transmitter (normally up to 200 feet). This
type of interpretation is ideal for community service groups (PTA
meetings, for example), tour groups & site visits, and short meetings
where maximum flexibility is required. Click here
for more information about Whisper Equipment.
Interpreter Station (top)
The piece of equipment inside the sound booth that the interpreters use to control their listening volume, select their 
outgoing language and choose their listening language. The interpreters' microphones connect to the station. Most stations handle relay switching and may have additional features. Our SimulCom 1200 models have the patented feature ActiveOff ® which does not permit the interpreter to work if the microphone is in the off position. Our interpreter stations have separate controls for two interpreters.
Interpreter Teams (top)
Simultaneous interpreters work in teams of two or three for each language. The process of listening to one language while speaking another requires extreme concentration and skill and is only possible for brief periods of time (15 to 30 minutes). Teams of 2 or 3 are therefore used in order to provide continuous interpretation. Teams of 2 are standard for most languages, although teams of 3 are the standard for Japanese. Highly technical meetings and/or meetings in which RELAY is required may necessitate additional team members. Interpreters generally never work alone unless the meeting is 30 minutes in length or less.
Receivers (top)
(Also referred to simply as "headsets") The delegate's wireless listening unit. Most are multi-channel and allow the delegate to select from the available languages by turning a channel selector knob. The delegates control their own volume and on/off.
Relay (top)
If an interpreter does not know the language being spoken on the floor,
he/she must listen to a known language from one of the other language booths. This is achieved by selecting the listen-to language of choice. This process, known as relay, enables the interpreter to interpret into his assigned target language. Because of increased time delays, reliance on relay should be reduced by selecting interpreter teams with the optimum language combinations and skills.
Sound Isolation Booths (top)
The interpreters must be isolated so they do not disturb the other interpreters or the audience. Therefore they sit inside special sound-proof isolation booths - one for each language team.
TAALS (top)
The American Association of Language Specialists, based in Washington, D.C. Members include translation and interpretation professionals who are held to a high standard of performance determined by the association.
Target Languages (top)
The language or languages which the interpreter goes into.
Transmission System (top)
The interpretation is normally transmitted to listeners via a wireless transmission system. The wireless sytem uses either radio frequency (RF) or infra-red technology. Hard-wired systems are also available. Infra-red and hard-wired systems are necessary for classified meetings. Both RF and Infra-red systems are commonly used in the United States and Asia. In Europe infra-red is more common.
Transmitter (top)
Controls the outgoing interpretation to the listeners in the audience via radio frequency or infra-red technology. Available as a portable unit for "whisper interpretation" or as a fixed unit for most conferences and events.
Whisper Equipment (top)
Portable transmitters and receivers for use at short meetings, community service events, tours and site-visits, where walking around is required. Click here for more information about rental and purchase.
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