Conference interpreting (also known as simultaneous interpreting) is needed whenever you do not have the time for the consecutive rendition into the target language, or there are multiple languages to translate into. Typical situations are conferences (hence “conference interpreting”), but also high-level meetings or important talks. Because of the high cognitive load, conference interpreters do not interpret for more than about 20 minutes apiece, and thus usually work in pairs. The neccessary technical equipment includes an audio system and sound-proof booths.
We have a lot of experience in simultaneous interpreting between English, German and Russian on various topics ranging from politics and economics through business and finance to medicine and IT.
We are based in Düsseldorf, but work all over Germany, from Hamburg to Munich and from Frankfurt to Berlin. We have also worked abroad, in nearby European countries (mostly the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and the UK) as well as farther away (US, Korea, China).
From the very start of the new profession, simultaneous interpreting was recognized as being one of the most exhausting things you can do with a human brain. […] A simultaneous interpreter must overrule the natural tendency not to listen when talking, and not to talk when listening. Simultaneous interpreting exists only because some very adept people can train themselves to do such an unnatural thing. […] The skill of the “conference interpreter” (the term that has come to replace oral translator, simultaneous translator, and speech translator) calls for high levels of concentration and mental agility. There are few people who can do it.
From the best-seller Is That A Fish In Your Ear? by David Bellos
