CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETATION
Also called sequential translation
The interpreter follows the utterance and interprets it into another language at relatively regular intervals after having listened to a meaningfully complete part of the speaker’s utterance.
WHAT IS CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETING AND WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS TYPE OF SERVICE?
There are two types of consecutive interpreting: short and long. Short means that the interpreting is done sentence by sentence, most often two or three sentences, which is most often practiced in business conversations, short visits, museum visits, etc. In practice, however, long speech (5-10 to 20 minutes), i.e. translation in fragments, is increasingly used. In the modern world, consecutive interpreting is often replaced by simultaneous interpreting. However, it is still used in various meetings (e.g. technical meetings, working lunches, small groups, excursions). Good professional interpreters can translate even long speeches with great accuracy.
GOOD PERFORMANCE OF CONSECUTIVE TRANSLATION INCLUDES:
• Meaningful and accurate “translation” of the message/meaning into the target language;
• correct translation in terms of content and tonality;
• fast, smooth narration with a calm, casual, even flow;
• unambiguous and elegant translation;
• good rapport with the speaker and listener when translating.
HOW MANY INTERPRETERS ARE NEEDED FOR AN EVENT?
Number of languages used | Minimum number of interpreters* |
---|---|
From two languages into two languages | 2 |
Three languages to three languages | 3 |
* In exceptional cases, only one interpreter may be used instead of two or only two interpreters instead of three, taking into account the principles of quality of work and healthy working conditions.