Translation Tech for International Meetings
The success of an international meeting depends on the quality of translations. High-quality translations help conference participants who speak various languages to communicate and exchange ideas freely. The quality of translations depends on having the right equipment as well as trained interpreters. If you’re planning an international conference and need interpretations for business meetings, here’s a basic guide.
Before you can decide what equipment you need and what preparation your interpreters will need, you should identify your translation needs. Do you need simultaneous or consecutive translations? Will you need equipment only for the conference or also for site visits? All of these will help you to be prepared for the conference from start to finish.
Different Kinds of Interpretation
The two main kinds of interpretation used in the business and professional world are simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. Choosing the right one for your event depends on the setting, the number of languages to be translated and the number of participants. Let’s look at both in detail.
In consecutive interpretation, the interpreter translates when the speaker in the source language has finished speaking. The speaker and translator essentially take turns in speaking to communicate with the audience. This works best for small groups, or phone conversations, as it doubles the time needed for each conversation. Since the speaker is also forced to pause for translation, it breaks the natural flow of language and ideas.
In simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter translates from notes during natural pauses and breaks in the speech in the source language. This requires special equipment. The translator receives the speech in a sound-proof booth and translates into a microphone attached to a wireless transmitter. No special equipment is necessary for consecutive interpretation.
It’s also helpful to consider the settings in which you will need translations. Besides the conference setting, will you also need translations for phone conversations, face-to-face meetings, field trips, and site visits? Do you need conference materials like papers, presentations, and websites to be translated as well?
Equipment Needed for Translations at International Meetings
You can take advantage of the latest translation technology to help ensure that the conference goes smoothly and participants are able to exchange ideas and follow speakers without any problems. You may also need portable interpretation equipment for field trips and site visits.
For simultaneous translation you’ll need the following:
- Soundproof booth -This can be full-size or a tabletop model
- Interpreter console
- Interpreter microphone
- Wireless headsets for the audience
- Wireless transmitters
You don’t have to invest in all of this equipment but can rent it from a professional translation services company. In addition to this, you will need audiovisual equipment for the conference room. This will include a sound system with amplifiers, loudspeakers, PA systems, handheld microphones, lapel microphones, and microphone stands. For presentations, projection screens and projectors will be needed.
How Skilled Translators Can Contribute to the Success of Your Event
Along with the right translation equipment, skilled professional interpreters can be crucial to the success of your conference or business meeting. They will have knowledge of specialized terminology in fields like law, medicine, science, business, finance, insurance, etc. They will also have the skills to make culturally appropriate translations. Skilled translators can serve as facilitators to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas among conference participants.
The translators’ job is to break down language barriers among conference participants. In some cases, they may need advance preparation. For meetings on topics that require special terminology, translators may request extra information that will help them do their job correctly. Their preparation may include communicating beforehand with speakers and participants, and research on the topics that will be addressed at the conference.
Translators may also ask to review conference materials like presentations, lecture notes, websites, etc. in advance to familiarize themselves with the industry and the specific topics. They may also prepare a glossary with terms that are specific to the field and the topics.
Accurate and culturally-appropriate translations can contribute to the success of an international conference or business meeting. With the right equipment and professional interpreters, your event can promote a productive exchange of ideas.
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