Type of Interpretations

• Simultaneous Interpreting.  
  • (SI) is when an interpreter translates the message from the source language to the target language in real-time.[1] Unlike in consecutive interpreting, this way the natural flow of the speaker is not disturbed and allows for a fairly smooth output for the listeners.
  • Simultaneous interpretation (SI) suffers the disadvantage that if a person is performing the service the interpreter must do the best he or she can within the time permitted by the pace of source speech. However they also have the advantages of saving time and not disturbing the natural flow of the speaker. SI can also be accomplished by software where the program can simultaneously listen to incoming speech and speak the associated interpretation. The most common form is extempore SI, where the interpreter does not know the message until he or she hears it.
    Simultaneous interpretation using electronic equipment where the interpreter can hear the speaker's voice as well as the interpreter's own voice was introduced at the Nuremberg trials in 1945.[11] The equipment facilitated large numbers of listeners, and interpretation was offered in French, Russian, German and English.[12] The technology arose in the 1920s and 1930s when American businessman Edward Filene and British engineer Alan Gordon Finlay developed simultaneous interpretation equipment with IBM.[13] Yvonne Kapp attended a conference with simultaneous translation in 1935 in the Soviet Union.[14] As it proved successful, IBM was able to sell the equipment to the United Nations, where it is now widely used in the United Nations Interpretation Service.
    In the ideal setting for oral language, the interpreter sits in a sound-proof booth and speaks into a microphone, while clearly seeing and hearing the source-language speaker via earphones. The simultaneous interpretation is rendered to the target-language listeners via their earphones.
• Consecutive Interpreting.
  • In consecutive interpreting (CI), the interpreter starts to interpret after the speaker pauses. Therefore, the time needed is much longer (possibly double the time needed). Traditionally, the interpreter will sit or stand near the speaker.[9]
    Consecutive interpretation can be conducted in a pattern of short or long segments according to the interpreter's preference. In short CI, the interpreter relies mostly on memory whereas, in long CI, most interpreters will rely on note-taking. The notes must be clear and legible in order to not waste time on reading them.[10] Consecutive interpreting of whole thoughts, rather than in small pieces, is desirable so that the interpreter has the whole meaning before rendering it in the target language. This affords a truer, more accurate, and more accessible interpretation than where short CI or simultaneous interpretation is used.
    An attempt at consensus about lengths of segments may be reached prior to commencement, depending upon complexity of the subject matter and purpose of the interpretation, though speakers generally face difficulty adjusting to unnatural speech patterns.[citation needed]
    On occasion, document sight translation is required of the interpreter during consecutive interpretation work. Sight translation combines interpretation and translation; the interpreter must render the source-language document to the target-language as if it were written in the target language. Sight translation occurs usually, but not exclusively, in judicial and medical work.
    Consecutive interpretation may be the chosen mode when bilingual listeners are present who wish to hear both the original and interpreted speech or where, as in a court setting, a record must be kept of both.[citation needed]
    When no interpreter is available to interpret directly from source to target, an intermediate interpreter will be inserted in a relay mode, e.g. a Greek source language could be interpreted into English and then from English to another language. This is also commonly known as double-interpretation. Triple-interpretation may even be needed, particularly where rare languages or dialects are involved. Such interpretation can only be effectively conducted using consecutive interpretation.
• Escort/Travel Interpreting
  • We bring a transmitter and a receiver for your client.  As the speaker talks, we whisper into the transmitter, and the client can listen to the interpretation by their receiver in hand.
  • Or we bring a loud speaker so everyone on the site can hear.
• Whisper Interpreting
  • We bring a transmitter and a receiver for your client.  As the speaker talks, we whisper into the transmitter, and the client can listen to the interpretation by their receiver in hand.  Usually we do this at a court setting or a large conference setting. 
• Scheduled Telephone Interpreting (OPI or Over-the-Phone Interpretation) 
  • We can host a phone conference via phone, zoom, Microsoft meeting, etc to talk on phone and/or internet
• On-Demand Phone Interpreting
  • ​​Depending on the interpreter's availability, we will try our best to match you with the interpreter.  But we always recommand you to schedule ahead of time.  

Certified vs. Registered​

Q: What is the difference between a certified and a registered interpreter?
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Only interpreters who pass the Bilingual Interpreter Exam or the required exam for American Sign Language and fulfill the corresponding Judicial Council requirements are referred to as certified interpreters. Currently, there are certification exam for the following designated languages: American Sign Language, Arabic, Eastern Armenian, Cantonese, Farsi, Khmer, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

Interpreters of spoken languages for which there is no state-certifying exam are required to pass the Written Exam and Oral Proficiency Exams in both English and their non-English language and fulfill the corresponding Judicial Council requirements in order to become a registered interpreter. (Source)