Conference Interpreting Services

Conference interpreting

Simultaneous and consecutive interpreters for conferences and international meetings

At a well-run multilingual conference, nobody thinks about the interpreters. The speaker's point lands in every language at the same moment, with the same tone and the same conviction. Our conference interpreters convey the ideas expressed by speakers clearly and accurately, rendering your message fluently and naturally, and adopting the tone, delivery and conviction of the speaker.

We have a proven track record of conference interpreting in specialised fields at international conferences, in the UK and abroad. We provide everything you need, from the interpreters to other language services, to make your global meetings a success.

Simultaneous, consecutive or whispered?

Simultaneous interpreting runs in real time. Interpreters work in soundproof booths and the audience listens through headsets, so a keynote in English reaches the room in Spanish, German and Arabic at the same moment. It is the only practical choice for conferences, AGMs and any event with several languages.

Consecutive interpreting has the speaker pause every few sentences while the interpreter repeats them. It needs no equipment and suits speeches, press briefings, small meetings, site visits and negotiations, but it roughly doubles the time.

Whispered interpreting is simultaneous interpreting for one or two listeners, spoken quietly beside them, with no booth.

Remote simultaneous interpreting brings interpreters into online and hybrid events. Zoom has a built-in interpretation feature, and dedicated platforms handle larger events, with the interpreters working from their own studios or hubs.

How interpreters classify their working languages

Speaking a language and understanding it are two different skills, and that difference is central to how conference interpreters classify their working languages. An A language is the interpreter's native language, into which they interpret from all their other languages. A B language is one they speak almost as well as a native and may interpret into. A C language is one they understand fully and interpret from, but not into. So the Spanish booth at your conference is staffed by interpreters whose A language is Spanish, working from English and perhaps from French.

Why interpreters work in pairs

Simultaneous interpreting takes a level of concentration nobody can hold for long, so interpreters work in pairs in each booth, taking turns about every half hour. For a full day, plan on two interpreters for each language, and sometimes three for long or highly technical days. When a language on the programme is not covered by every booth, the interpreters use relay: one booth interprets into a pivot language, usually English, and the others work from that.

Booths and equipment

Simultaneous interpreting needs soundproof booths, interpreter consoles, and receivers and headsets for the audience. Booths should meet the international standards for permanent booths (ISO 2603) or mobile booths (ISO 4043), with fresh air, a clear view of the speakers and the screens, and a direct audio feed. Tell us about the venue, the number of delegates and the languages, and we will plan the interpreters and the equipment with you.

Preparation makes the difference

Send us the programme, speaker names, slides, speeches and any glossaries as early as you can, even in draft. Interpreters research a technical subject for days before the event. Ask speakers who read from a script to share it in advance and to read at a natural pace: a script read quickly is the hardest thing there is to interpret. And give the interpreters a copy of any video that will be played, with the sound, before the day.

Where our conference interpreters work

Our interpreters also work in multilingual settings where speakers want to express themselves in their own language but do not understand one another, such as:

• International conferences and congresses
• Press briefings and press conferences
• Seminars and training courses
• Negotiations and board meetings
• European Works Council meetings
• TV broadcasts
• Depositions
• Shareholder and investor meetings

Languages

We provide conference interpreters in more than 350 languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese and Polish. For media events, see our media sector page, and for business meetings our business sector page.

Questions about conference interpreting

How many interpreters do we need?

For simultaneous interpreting over a full day, usually two for each language, in each direction the event needs. Send us the programme and we will tell you exactly.

Can you provide interpreters abroad?

Yes. We provide conference interpreters in the UK and abroad.

Can interpreters work at an online event?

Yes, through Zoom's interpretation feature or a dedicated remote interpreting platform. Test the audio with the interpreters beforehand, because sound quality matters more online than in a room.