Conference Interpreting

Conference interpreting is the process of translating the message conveyed by speakers at conferences into a different language for conference participants who otherwise wouldn’t understand what is being said.

In other words, conference interpretation is a form of simultaneous translation performed by skilled interpreters at various events organized by international organizations, such as business meetings, international summits, scientific or medical conferences, corporate events, etc.

At Lighthouse Translations, we understand how monumental a task it is to plan and conduct a business or industry conference. We also understand how important it is that each of the conference attendees gets everything they can out of the event, no matter the spoken language. This begins with efficient communication.

Our Conference Interpreting services are tailored specifically for your event. Whether your attendees will only need translations into one or two languages or many more, Lighthouse Translations has you covered for all aspects of your conference interpreting needs.

Conference Interpreting vs. Simultaneous Interpreting

You might be wondering – how is conference interpreting different from simultaneous interpreting? Simultaneous interpretation happens when an interpreter translates what is being said by the speaker in real-time, with more or less a 1.5-second delay. Conference interpreting is just one of the settings in which SI is used.

As can be understood from the name, conference interpreting is used at large conferences, international meetings, big seminars, and workshop types of events when there is at least one person who doesn’t really know the language in which the event is going to be hosted.

Conference interpretation might also include consecutive interpretation, which occurs when an interpreter waits for the speaker to finish and then translates their words to various conference attendants.

What Type Of Equipment Is Needed For Conference Interpretation?

There are different types of equipment that an interpreter will need. These are used depending on the venue, the number of conference attendants, and the event’s nature. In most cases, conference interpreters use:

  • Whisper Equipment – this is the most basic interpreting equipment. It includes a headset with a microphone and a transmitter, as well as headphone sets with receivers for the guests. The conference interpreter is seated further from the crowd and whispers what is being said into the microphone, which is then transmitted into the audience members’ headsets. In this setup, the interpreter has to rely on what they hear from the speakers, as they don’t have a direct audio feed.

  • Table Top Booth – this is pretty self-explanatory due to the name. In this scenario, the interpreter sits at the table at which the booth is located. Only the upper part of their body is visible, and they have their equipment there as well. While this type of booth is not completely soundproof, it is small and portable, which means that it is ideal for venues in which setting up a regular booth could be a hassle.

  • Full Interpreter Booth – these booths are standalone enclosures with four walls, a floor, a ceiling, a door, and even their own ventilation system. They are completely soundproof, which ensures the interpreter won’t disturb the audience members. To not disturb the presenter, the interpreters receive a direct audio feed. This type of booth can accommodate at least two interpreters.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many translation companies (including us) changed their interpretation services to be more suitable to the current situation, meaning that the majority of the services have become remote. This also means that when it comes to remote Simultaneous Interpreting (or remote conference interpretations), there’s no need for such extensive equipment.

When it comes to virtual conference interpretation, the only equipment the conference interpreters really need is a good set of headphones and a good-quality microphone so that the audience members can clearly understand them.

They also need a remote SI platform. However, this is usually provided by the event organizers. By using the proper equipment, professional conference interpreters can perform remote conference interpreting from home.

What We Can Guarantee

We offer several different simultaneous interpretation services, including Remote Virtual Interpreting, Remote Simultaneous Interpretation, or Telephonic Interpretation.

It’s our mission and greatest pleasure to assist our clients, no matter the size or type of the event – we are the right choice for in person and virtual conferences.

We cooperate with skilled and experienced conference interpreters who speak many languages. Our professional interpreters work in different practice areas.

They have a working knowledge of industry-specific terms and different technologies, ensuring they always provide you with the most high-quality and accurate interpreting services.

At Lighthouse Translations, we strive to offer valuable assistance in all your events. That is why, alongside our conference interpretation services, we offer interpreting equipment rental, including microphones, amplifiers, and soundproof interpreting booths.

It’s our goal to help you in creating the most inviting and productive space for every attendee of your event. That is why you can count on our full support and attention to every detail.

You’ll be working with a Project Manager who will ensure all your needs are being met and you have all the necessary resources and infrastructure to fulfill your objectives.

As an experienced partner, we can also provide you with trained personnel to manage your events, implement strategies, and conduct meetings or tours. We offer certified quality assurance translation services so you know how to best optimize your operations and implement any changes to your planning and execution stage.

We guarantee quality, commitment, and attention to detail. Our translation services have been tested by international organizations across numerous industries.

Furthermore, we have experience in being part of all types of events, from small business conferences to large international summits. If you are searching for an international translation service you can trust, Lighthouse Translation is your number-one choice.

How To Schedule A Remote Simultaneous Conference Interpreter?

To find out more about our conference interpreting services, just give us a call or send an email! Our professional team will get back to you as soon as possible so we can arrange everything and ensure that the services we provide will work perfectly for the event you are organizing.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us so you can get a quote and share what you need – our professional team will take care of the rest, providing you with the best translation and interpreting services – be it remote conference interpreting or something else.