Unlike written translation, interpreting happens in real time, with no possibility of correction. The interpreter listens, analyses and renders in the other language at the same time, often within seconds. This article explains what kinds of interpreting exist for English, in which case you need which, and what a well-organised interpreting job requires.
Simultaneous, consecutive and "whisper" interpreting: the difference
Simultaneous interpreting happens in parallel with the speaker, almost without delay. This is the format you see at conferences, large events or on television, usually in a special interpreting booth, through headphones. It is the most intensive type and, according to the international standard, two interpreters usually work in turns, since uninterrupted concentration for more than 20-30 minutes is hardly possible without loss of quality.
Consecutive interpreting happens after the speaker pauses: the speaker says a few sentences, stops, the interpreter interprets. This format is suitable for business meetings, court proceedings and medical consultations, where an exact, considered rendering beats speed.
Whisper interpreting (chuchotage) is a miniature version of simultaneous, where the interpreter interprets in a whisper for one or two listeners, without additional equipment. It is suitable for small meetings where only one or two participants need interpreting.
Press conferences and public speeches
At a press conference or public event with the participation of a foreign speaker, interpreting carries additional pressure: the audience and, often, the media hear the result directly, with no possibility of correction. Here the clarity of the interpreter's voice, a steady pace and the ability to convey the speaker's tone (formal, humorous or emotional) adequately, not only the words, are especially important.
Business negotiations and conferences
In international business negotiations the choice of the right interpreter affects the outcome of the negotiation itself: an interpreter who does not know the terminology of the field may lose the tone and nuance, which affects the relationship with the partner. We familiarise ourselves with the subject of the meeting in advance and, where necessary, prepare a terminology glossary for the specific industry, whether finance, technology or manufacturing.
Remote and Zoom interpreting
Since the pandemic remote interpreting has become standard practice and today is often as much in demand as attendance in person. At a meeting held on Zoom, Teams or another platform the interpreter connects remotely, either simultaneously on a separate channel or in consecutive format on the shared call. The advantage of the remote format is flexibility: when planning the meeting you no longer need the interpreter to travel physically, which is especially convenient for short or urgently scheduled calls.
Court and investigative interpreting
At a court hearing or an investigative action in which an English-speaking party takes part, the interpreter bears a special responsibility: an exact, uninterpreted rendering of what was said, without personal assessment or softening wording. In such cases the consecutive format is usually preferred to simultaneous, because it allows, where necessary, the record or minutes to be reflected exactly. The same principle applies at depositions (a witness's preliminary testimony) and arbitration hearings.
Telephone interpreting for urgent cases
Sometimes there is no time even to organise a video call or an on-site visit: for example, a foreign business partner calls unexpectedly and needs to negotiate immediately, or communication with a patient is urgently needed at a hospital. For such cases we have a telephone interpreting service, where the interpreter joins the call directly as a third party. This format, though lacking visual contact, is irreplaceable in terms of speed when minutes matter.
Equipment details for simultaneous interpreting
The equipment needed for fully fledged simultaneous interpreting includes a soundproof booth or, at a small event, a portable "whisper" system (a transmitter and several receivers), microphones and a sound control console. Booth-type simultaneous interpreting requires a technical survey of the hall in advance: sound insulation, the angle of view to the stage and a sufficient power source. At small meetings, where a full booth is excessive, a portable system is enough and far more flexible if the hall changes.
The interpreter's impartiality
In a court or investigative context one of the fundamental principles is the interpreter's complete impartiality: they render exactly what was said, without adding their own opinion, assessment or explanation, even if a statement seems unclear or contradictory. If the interpreter does not understand something, they ask for a repetition or clarification instead of filling the gap with their own guess. This principle applies in a business context too, although more flexibility is permissible there in explaining cultural context.
Medical accompaniment
For a foreign patient who comes to Tbilisi for medical services, it often becomes necessary not only to translate documents but also to be accompanied in person at a doctor's visit: describing symptoms, conveying the doctor's questions, explaining the diagnosis and treatment plan in language the patient understands. This differs from ordinary business interpreting in that the interpreter must know basic medical terminology and keep calm even in emotionally difficult situations.
Cultural nuance in business interpreting
A good business interpreter does not translate only words, they help two different communication styles understand each other. In English-speaking, especially American, business culture, directness and getting quickly to the substance are usual. In Georgian business etiquette more time is often given to building the relationship before discussing the matter. An experienced interpreter senses this difference and helps both sides not to misperceive the other's style, for example directness as rudeness or courtesy as vagueness.
Academic and scientific events
When an English-speaking speaker is invited to universities, scientific conferences and seminars, an interpreter with knowledge of the field's terminology is needed, who is fluent both in general academic vocabulary and in the terminology of the specific discipline. In such cases it is especially useful to see the speaker's slides or paper in advance, which considerably raises the accuracy of the interpreting.
Production site and factory visits
A different type of challenge is interpreting at a production site, where a foreign investor or partner gets to know the working process. Here the interpreter works not in a static environment but on the move, often against a noisy industrial background, and must be able to render technical terminology exactly in real time, even without additional preparation. Before such visits it is especially useful to share the enterprise's specific terminology in advance, where possible.
Team work at long events
At a full-day or multi-day conference one interpreter is not enough: by international standard, for simultaneous interpreting two interpreters work in turns, usually in 20-30 minute shifts, so that a drop in concentration does not affect quality. For a long-term project where interpreting is needed over several days, we try to keep the same team from start to finish, so that the interpreters already know the participants' style, accent and the context of the discussion, which considerably improves the quality of interpreting on the second or third day.
What a well-organised interpreting job requires
- Advance material: with a presentation, agenda or medical history seen in advance, the interpreter prepares better
- Choosing the right format: simultaneous is not needed everywhere, consecutive is often enough
- Equipment: the equipment needed for simultaneous interpreting (headphones, transmitter) must be planned in advance
- Time: for simultaneous interpreting at a long event two interpreters are needed in turns
Dress code and etiquette on site
It is often worth talking about a more practical matter too: an interpreter arriving on site must match the character of the event, at a formal business meeting as well as in a medical institution, where specific sanitary requirements are often observed. We confirm these details when the meeting is booked, so that the interpreter knows in advance in what context they are working.
What to expect at a first order
If you are using an interpreting service for the first time, it is natural to have questions about the format. Our team asks you in advance about the character of the event and, where necessary, itself advises whether the simultaneous, consecutive or whisper format suits your specific situation, instead of you having to make an exact choice with unfamiliar terminology yourself.
How we work
Contact us before the date of the event or meeting, tell us the format (on site or remote), the subject and the approximate duration. In urgent cases, short interpreting by telephone or video call can be organised even the same day. Every interpreter works under a confidentiality agreement, which is especially important in business negotiations and medical accompaniment.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to organise simultaneous interpreting on Zoom?
Yes, many platforms have a built-in interpreting function, and where it is absent we use an alternative technical solution.
How far in advance should I book an interpreter?
For a planned event booking a few days in advance is recommended, especially in the case of a specific subject, although in urgent cases we try to organise it the same day as well.
Will the interpreter accompany us to a doctor's visit?
Yes, we have experience of medical accompaniment both on site and, where necessary, remotely, via video call.
Is the content of business negotiations confidential?
Yes, every interpreter works under a signed NDA and does not disclose the details of the negotiations.
Can I use one interpreter for both written and oral translation?
Often yes, if the same person works in both directions with sufficient experience, although these are two different skills and we always check whether the specific interpreter is suitable for your specific format.