Why Professional Conference Interpreters are So Important

Providing good conference interpreting is vital to the UAE remaining at the top of the global stage when it comes to  events, shows, media and conferences.

What does it take to be a professional conference interpreter and why can’t anyone do it?

The conference interpreter is a familiar sight at many of our international and multilingual events in the UAE. If they do their jobs right, you probably won’t notice them. If they don’t, chances are you will remember them for a long time.

That is because a good professional interpreter makes all the difference – they bring skill, experience, knowledge and confidence which allows for a seamless translation of proceedings, whether a press conference or a keynote speech.

A conference interpreter is working live, or simultaneously, meaning they are translating as they listen. It’s a tough job which requires superhuman levels of concentration plus amazing language skills.

Just because you know a few languages, are a translator or even a face to face interpreter, it does not qualify you to handle the pressures and high-level demands simultaneous interpreting does.

This type of interpreting takes time in further education as well as serious training. On top of having to deal with the languages, it is also a matter of understanding how to work equipment as well as protocol and logistical factors. Simultaneous interpreting takes years not months to perfect.

So what makes conference interpreting so special?

Conference interpreters have to think quickly and constantly be thinking as they speak. For most people, doing this in normal life is tough let alone doing it for a job. It is for this reason a simultaneous interpreter usually does not work for longer than 15-30 minutes at a time; to do any longer is mentally exhausting.

It is for this reason you only ever book conference interpreters in pairs, or even sometimes in a trio depending on the languages being used and the context. Interpreters take turns ‘on the mic’ translating into the feed which is sent to the audience wearing headsets. Interpreters also usually work as a team, especially at high level events, with a consultant or lead interpreter organizing the group’s work.

Interpreters have complete mastery of their languages, known as ‘working languages’ including, of course, their native tongue. As well as being able to translate from one language into another, most are able to also do the reverse and/or work with other languages. The level of knowledge needed in terms of understanding terminology, vocabulary, humour, etc is only developed with many years’ experience.

Trust is a huge issue within conference interpreting, demanding professionalism, discretion and utmost confidentiality. Professional conference interpreters abide by a code of conduct to ensure information is kept confidential.

So next time you pick up a pair of headsets and start listening to a perfectly pitched English translation from Arabic, remember the hard work than has gone into it!

 

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