Interpreting services are used in a wide range of settings, from international meetings, conferences, training sessions, interviews, to mediations, court hearings, community education, film shoots, other group situations and many other scenarios.
While there are many other equipment used during interpretation, these are the most commonly used:
Interpretation booths: Interpretation booths provide sound isolation for the interpreters. There are two main purposes of such isolation. Firstly it provides the interpreter a quiet environment to work in. As interpreter listens to the speaker, he has to focus on the words of the speaker. The removal of outside distractions thus provides a better working environment for the interpreter. Secondly as the speaker speaks inside the booth, other people attending the meeting, who don’t require the translation, do not get disturbed when the interpreter translates and speaks through the microphone.
Interpreter Console: As interpreting is a strenuous and complex activity, often two or more interpreters translate consequently taking chances one after the other. The interpreter console is most commonly used by interpreters translating in the same target language. The console helps them to receive, transmit and control the incoming and outgoing audio. The interpreter console helps increase the efficiency of the interpreters.
Transmitter: Transmitter can be used as stand alone transmitting equipment or attached to the interpreter console. It is used to transmit the audio.
Receiver: Receivers can be built-in speakers, headphones or earphones which are used to hear the audio. They are used to listen to the audio distribution that is being transmitted. Most receivers have the option to select the channel and adjust the volume of the audio.
While selecting the interpretation equipment following factors should be taken into consideration:
- Size of the room and number of attendees.
- Location of the meeting, whether the meeting is held inside or outside.
- Will the interpreting equipment be installed permanently or will it be removed after a specific meeting and transferred to another location.
- Are there any security norms with respect to the conversations that require translation.
- The number of target languages for which the translation is required.