Translation Equipment – Conference Interpreting Explained
Translation Equipment (or to use its more appropriate names: simultaneous interpreting equipment or simultaneous interpretation equipment) is used in conferences and meetings to convey the voice of an interpreter to the listeners. You’ve probably seen pictures of the United Nations where the delegates each have a small earpiece – that’s translation equipment. Specifically, that’s the earpiece attached to the receiver.
Here’s how it works:
At the rear of the room (or in an adjacent room) a crew of interpreters sits in a soundproof booth, listening to the presenter through earphones. They do the hard part: they simultaneously listen and interpret whatever they hear into some other language. Their speech is picked up by a microphone, which redirects the sound through an interpreter control system to a transmitter.
The transmitter acts like a miniature radio station – it sends a signal out to the room. Each listener then hears the interpreter’s voice on a compact receiver, via an earpiece. Some transmitters are infrared – they use invisible light waves to dispense the signal throughout the room. The main use of infrared devices are in top-secret conferences such as government and UN meetings, where the slightest chance of eavesdropping can’t be accepted. Since light cannot pass through opaque walls, infrared interpreting equipment is considered most private (so long as you remember to close the drapes!)
Another main type of translation equipment is FM radio-based. Here, a low-power radio signal on a particular frequency is broadcast through the room.
If more than one language is being interpreted, then each language has to be on a different frequency or channel, and the audience members select the appropriate language they wish to hear on their receiver.
Some tips for ensuring that your simultaneous interpretation function flows without problems:
1) Make certain your interpreters can see those who are speaking – place them so they have a good view of the stage or podium, or arrange video monitors for them as a substitute.
2) Position the booths on risers if you’re able to — this helps to make certain their view isn’t obstructed by the audience.
3) Make use of a full interpreting booth whenever your budget will allow — it makes life easier for both the interpreters and the audience.
4) Be sure to use an interpreting technician! Good interpreting technicians are a critical ingredient in the success of your meeting. We have found that regular AV technicians and well-meaning volunteers cannot replace an interpretation technician without thorough training.
5) Select a company that specializes in translation equipment. More general translation agencies will often purchase a tiny bit of translation equipment, but they often lack the expertise and practical experience to do an adequate job in a wide variety of events.
If you need simultaneous interpreting, check out this source for your next meeting: Translation Equipment
Chris Redish owns A Bridge Between Nations, a Simultaneous Interpreting company which leases and sells translation equipment in Phoenix, Tucson, Las
Vegas, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Orlando, Miami, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Atlanta, New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Washington DC, Seattle, Portland, Honolulu and all major U.S. cities. He would be happy to present you with a complimentary translation estimate for your next conference: 1-888-556-3887
