FAQ

What’s the main difference between translation and interpreting?

Translation refers to the reproduction of text, documents or content in written or documented form, in another language. Interpreting is an oral reproduction of the original message.

While the translator devotes more time to register, style and consistency, the interpreter focuses on the key message of the original speaker, under time pressure, to deliver a reliable interpretation.

Consequently, interpretation cannot be used as a full record of the original discussion, and instead voice-over, subtitling or or mono- or multilingual transcription is required.

Can I record any language in a multilingual meeting?

Recording is always subject to formal approval or consent. A recording of the original discussion requires prior notification of and approval from all participants, speakers and presenters.

Recordings of interpreting channels cannot be used as an authentic record of the original discussion. Interpreter recording requires prior consent from all interpreters and can be subject to a recording fee depending on the purpose and use of the recording (internal, public, restricted use, archiving, reporting).

Why do simultaneous interpreters work in pairs?

Simultaneous interpretation places a heavy burden on the cognitive skills and concentration level of any interpreter in any simultaneous translation scenario.

Imagine the workload involved in listening, understanding, speaking and translating – all at the same time. This is neural multitasking of the highest level. According to the World Health Organization, conference interpreting is the third most stressful job in the world behind being a fighter pilot or an air traffic controller.

This is exactly why interpreters work in pairs and alternate after sessions of about 30 minutes, depending on the workload and concentration levels required.

How can interpreters support globalization?

Simultaneous interpreting enhances your international brand image. It enables your international stakeholders to share their expertise without language barriers.

Speaking the language of your customers provides access to global markets and global audiences. Interpreters facilitate global understanding, global peace and a meaningful global dialogue.

What are the 5 major benefits of simultaneous interpreting?

1: Increased engagement of participants in international meetings

2: Improved participation of your stakeholders in the global dialogue

3: Expanded market share by speaking the language of your clients

4: Scalable online interpreter solutions to support global organizations

5: Increased client loyalty among your international stakeholders

Why are hybrid meetings more expensive than online or in-person meetings?

Hybrid meetings combine the best of two worlds, i.e. in-person and online meetings. This means you require online and on-site support as well as audiovisual supplies, microphones and cameras for videoconferencing between remote locations with interpreting.

In online meetings, you only require a videoconferencing solution with integrated language channels and online support. For hybrid meetings, on-site participants require microphones, auto-dome cameras and technical support within reach for your online and on-site participants.

What is the most cost-efficient solution to support multilingual meetings with interpreting?

Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI) in online videoconferencing is by far the most cost-effective solution in total cost of ownership as it excludes all logistics: no costs for accommodation or travel, no travel time, no technical equipment, no interpreting booths and no meeting venues.

What is the ideal hybrid meeting solution with remote interpreting?

The best-case-scenario in terms of cost, travel and efficiency with the possibility of in-person meetings is to invite your main delegates, speakers and presenters to one central meeting venue, e.g. the head office of your organization, and to invite attendees from remote locations to attend.

With today’s interpreting technology you can have your physical meeting on-site with full in-person participation combined with remote interpreting using traditional infrared receivers or even your mobile phone to receive remote simultaneous interpreting.

How does human interpreting compare to artificial intelligence in multilingual meetings?

Artificial intelligence has been around for some time in the form of machine translation, speech-to-text and text-to-speech technology. AI and neural machine translation offer outstanding solutions for consumer markets where the authenticity and reliability of data is less critical, e.g. in social media.

In corporate communication, machine-translated or machine-interpreted content will require some form of human validation to remove or avoid critical error margins.

It is not a substitute for human interpreting that enables a full, authentic and reliable reproduction of the original: the core mission of human translators and interpreters.

This human factor is particularly important for multilingual exchanges between institutions, governments, international businesses and corporate organizations where representation, expertise, reliability and authenticity are key success factors.

Global top 15 provider for onsite interpreting

The independent market research organization Common Sense Advisory ranked Mastervoice among the global top 15 providers for onsite simultaneous interpreting, remote interpreting and interpreting services.

Conference Interpreting Experts

Since 1998, Mastervoice has been providing conference interpreters to corporate organizations, international companies, governments, institutions, associations, event organizers and meeting planners, with a very high client retention rate.