According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), simultaneous interpreting (SI) is a mode of interpreting performed while a speaker is still speaking. In other words, the real-time rendering of spoken information from a source language to a target language in oral form, conveying both the register and meaning of the source language content. [SOURCE: ISO 18841:2016, 3.1.2]
Simultaneous interpretation allows participants of events to communicate effectively and seamlessly with a lag of only a few seconds between source and target speech. SI offers the advantage of time efficiency versus consecutive interpreting, in which the interpreter alternates between listening and speaking and relays clients’ words two or three sentences at a time.
From a cognitive or psycholinguistic perspective, SI is remarkable and cognitively demanding because it involves speaking and listening in two different languages at the same time. Because of many processes taking place simultaneously, interpreters often have to deal with time pressure; and must utilize their working memory to maximum capacity.
CTM Connect is proud to have a great blend of experienced and accomplished simultaneous interpreters, together with the young and thriving talents. We can assign the right interpreters who best match your needs and budget. Our team share common values about professionalism and excellent performance, come from prestigious academic backgrounds, and bring our relevant experiences as well as subject matter expertise into every job. We cater to multilingual events large and small, on-site and online.
And because of the unique nature of SI, we always recommend hiring a team of interpreters to prevent fatigue and ensure impeccable interpretations. For better preparation, our interpreters also appreciate being provided with copies of documents and presentations ahead of the event.
Interesting facts:
SI is one of the newest types of translation, appearing only in the 1920s. In the USSR, simultaneous interpretation was first employed in 1928 at the 6th Comintern Congress. Before WWII, SI existed as whisper interpretation, or “chuchotage” a French term, without any specialized equipment. Col. Leon Dostert, a personal interpreter of US President Eisenhower pioneered the development of SI technology, in collaboration with IBM and organized a demonstration at a UN meeting in 1946. The real need for simultaneous interpretation became evident during the Nuremberg Trials (1945 – 1946), in which English, French, Russian and German languages were used. Experienced linguists estimate that the trials would have taken 4 times longer without simultaneous interpretation.
Nowadays, SI is widely known for its importance in international politics, economic progress, trade promotion, cultural exchanges, and access to latest developments of science and technology, etc.