Paola de Rosa specializes in simultaneous interpreting in Italian, English, Brazilian Portuguese, and French. She provides language support during company visits, foreign business missions, and assistance to Italian delegations abroad. If you need remote simultaneous interpreting services, click here.
🎧 What is simultaneous interpreting?
The term simultaneous interpreting, often mistakenly referred to as “simultaneous translation,” refers to the immediate interpretation of speech from one language to another in real time
🌍 When it is used
It is a widely used form of interpreting at international meetings and conferences, where the audience speaks different languages. Thanks to simultaneous interpreting, everyone can follow the event in their own language by choosing the desired listening channel from the receiver equipped with headphones or earphones.
🎙️ How it works technically
Simultaneous interpreting is performed by two interpreters (for events lasting more than approximately 40 minutes) working in a soundproof booth. They listen to the speaker through headphones (taking turns in shifts of about thirty minutes) and translate in real time by speaking into a microphone. The audience receives the translation in their headphones by selecting the channel corresponding to their language.
⏱️ The role of “décalage”
Translating while the speaker is talking requires a delay of a few words, known as décalage.
🧠 A challenge of concentration and style
The simultaneous interpreter must maintain consistency and fluency in their speech, without pauses or monotonous intonations, while following the sometimes rapid pace of the speaker.
🚧 The most common difficulties
Wordplay, slang, jokes, acronyms, and abbreviations can pose real challenges in simultaneous interpreting. For this reason, it is helpful for speakers to provide abstracts, texts, glossaries, and explanations of acronyms in advance.
Questions and answers about simultaneous interpreting
What is simultaneous interpreting?
Simultaneous interpreting is real-time oral translation: the interpreter listens to the speech in one language and translates it simultaneously into another, with a slight delay called décalage. It is mainly used in conferences, congresses, and international assemblies at European institutions, the UN, and NATO.
What is the difference between simultaneous, consecutive, and whispered interpreting?
- Simultaneous: for large events and multiple languages → requires technical equipment.
- Consecutive: for official events on stage in theaters or cinemas or even small groups → more time, but no technology. Consecutive interpreting is often combined with chuchotage. For example, the interpreter whispers the questions asked by journalists to the interviewee, but then the answer is translated into the microphone or aloud to the entire audience.
- Whispered interpreting: It may or may not be combined with consecutive interpreting: for one or two guests → agile and discreet solution, no equipment required.
In which languages is the service available?
Paola de Rosa offers the service in Italian, English, Brazilian Portuguese and French, both in person and remotely. (With the exception of chuchotage, which can only be done in person.)
When is simultaneous interpreting recommended?
It is ideal for events with many international participants: conferences, seminars, round tables, company meetings, institutional summits, and official visits.
What is the difference between simultaneous and consecutive interpreting?
In simultaneous interpreting, translation takes place in real time; in consecutive interpreting, the interpreter translates after the speaker has finished a part of their speech. Simultaneous interpreting is more suitable for dynamic events with tight schedules.
How many interpreters are needed for each language?
Generally, two interpreters per language, who alternate every 20-30 minutes to maintain high translation quality and concentration.
Is specific technical equipment required?
Yes. Simultaneous interpreting requires soundproof booths, headphones for the audience, and a professional audio system. For online events, specific platforms are used for remote interpreting.
Is the service also available remotely?
Yes, simultaneous interpreting can also be provided remotely on platforms such as Zoom, Webex, Teams, Interprefy, Ablio, and Interactio. [👉 Click here for information on remote services]
Does the speaker need to do anything special to assist the interpreter?
Yes. It is strongly recommended to provide the following in advance:
- texts, abstracts or presentations
- explanations of any acronyms or abbreviations
- glossaries if technical or sector-specific language is used
How can I request a quote?
You can request a personalized quote by filling out the online form Request a quote, specifying
- date of the event
- languages required
- number of participants
- modality (in-person or remote)
- program of the event