Simultaneous Interpretation

Simultaneous interpretation is the mode of interpreting used at the United Nations. It is the preferred mode of interpreting for many events because of its unobtrusive nature and real-time economy.

Simultaneous interpretation is extremely demanding. It requires trained, skilled, and experienced interpreters who have been thoroughly prepared for the meeting's subject matter. It also requires a specialized SI system installed in the meeting room.

In simultaneous mode, the interpreters work in a soundproof interpretation booth with a direct view of the speaker, projection screen, and audience. The interpreters listen to the speaker via earphones, while rendering the interpretation simultaneously into an in-booth microphone, with an average time-lag of 2-4 seconds. The audience listens to the interpretation in their language of choice through headsets.

Remote Simultaneous Interpretation

Remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) is simultaneous interpretation performed remotely. Leveraging professional online conferencing platforms like Zoom, RSI allows speakers, participants and interpreters to connect from anywhere in the world at any time. It thus provides the perfect way for virtual meetings and other events to take place, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compared with traditional simultaneous interpretation, RSI helps event organizers cut travel, accommodation and equipment costs. It saves the time spent looking for and managing interpretation services, and it offers increased flexibility and language combination choices.

Grouphorse provides RSI solutions tailored to the needs of our global customers. We provide full professional teams that ensure quality control and support from start to finish. Thanks to our unique training brand and assessment system, we have a global pool of first-rate and reliable interpreters. Because we have a thorough understanding of their various strengths, we are able to select and dispatch the best candidates for each mission.

Consecutive Interpretation

Consecutive interpretation has been described as the true ‘noble art’ of interpretation.

Consecutive is ideal for small, private, and interactive meetings, such as:

>>   negotiations and private business discussions

>>   media roundtables and interviews

>>   diplomatic talks

>>   courtesy calls on government and corporate leaders

>>   arbitrations and legal proceedings 

In the consecutive mode of interpreting, the interpreter sits in the meeting room, next to the speaker. The speaker delivers his presentation in complete passages – ranging from just 1-2 minutes through to 5 or more minutes – before pausing for interpretation.

Relying on a sophisticated note-taking technique, the interpreter delivers the entire passage in the target language, fluently and effectively, often taking slightly less time than the original.

True consecutive interpreting offers an advantage over ‘sentence-by-sentence’ translation: the speaker can warm up to his subject and develop a complex argument, illustrated with facts, figures, and examples, confident that the entire message will be presented accurately and clearly to the other-language audience.

Consecutive interpreting requires very good public speaking and presentation skills, in addition to solid note-taking and interpretation technique.

Liaison Interpretation

Liaison interpretation is a form of consecutive interpreting, which is to some extent the most personal and informal type of interpreting. It is used principally for small groups or meetings (e.g. a casual business meeting between two executives).

Liaison interpretation is useful for small groups or meetings, one-on-one interviews, etc. It is also useful when the interpreter serves as a chaperone, perhaps for visiting a foreign country. Under certain circumstances, the client may need a combination of consecutive and liaison interpreting services.

Interpretation Process

Our Criteria of Assessing and Hiring Interpreters

Armed with a special headhunting system and a huge network of professional interpreters, Grouphorse provides clients with high-end and customized services. As one of the most successful companies in the industry, we boast a first-class full-time interpreting team ready to provide interpreting services anytime, anywhere. We rigorously test our interpreter candidates’ abilities with an exam that encompasses a wide range of subjects to ensure that they are capable of providing optimal services.

The pursuit of excellence runs in our blood and echoes our commitment to building better international relations and a more harmonious world.

We have over 1,000 interpreters, more than 600 of which are signed long-term interpreters who are selected based on the criteria listed in the table below (those who score 30 and above will be hired, and priority will be given to those who score 40 and above when we assign interpreting tasks. Those who score 50 and above will be assigned tasks frequently).

Interpreting Cases

Remote Simultaneous Interpreting 

Remote Simultaneous Interpreting 

Remote Simultaneous Interpreting

Remote Simultaneous Interpreting 

Onsite Simultaneous Interpreting

Onsite Simultaneous Interpreting