Do I need consecutive interpretation or simultaneous interpretation?

Congratulations! 

If you're asking this question, you're probably going to engage interpretation service for your international sales meeting, motivational convention, investigator meeting or perhaps a charitable function. 

Whatever the event, it is a good sign. It means your organisation is going global, and participants from different continents are getting together to talk serious business. [perhaps also sightseeing and shopping for some ;) ] It's a sign of expansion, growth and prosperity. 

In this regard, using the right type of interpretation is very important as they are the bridge to the language barrier. 

It's not an everyday experience that you engage interpreters, especially simultaneous interpreters. Some don't even know the difference between consecutive and simultaneous interpretations. 

Perhaps I would start with some explanation on the types of interpretations. In consecutive interpretation, the speaker speaks for a few sentences and then pauses. The interpreter immediately interpret that few sentences into another language. After the interpreter finishes, the speaker continues to speak. Both the speaker and interpreter appear in front. You'll be able to see both of them. This is the typical type of interpretation carried out in church service.

Performing simultaneous interpretation for
former PM of Malaysia - Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

However for a full-day meeting, consecutive interpretation is not encouraged. Simply because the audience will be bored or feel impatient over the time-consuming interpretation process. The speaker's flow of thoughts may be affected too as he is unable to speak continuously. As a result, the length (content) of  the presentation may be compromised. Not good for the organiser too as more time is needed to hold the conference. 

Therefore, simultaneous interpretation (SI) is the foremost choice for lengthy meetings. In simultaneous interpretation, the speaker will deliver his speech uninterrupted. The interpreter sits in a specially designed booth, listening to the speech and interpret it at the same time - which is why it's called 'simultaneous' interpretation.

Those who listen to the interpretation shall wear a headset connected to a receiver. By doing so, the effectiveness is largely improved. The speaker and interpreter finishes at the same time and listeners to all languages will get the message 'in real time'.

Listening and speaking at
the same time from the booth

SI booths for the interpreters 

Malaysian Chinese? What do you mean?

When clients engage our interpreting service, they often ask about our mother tongue.

So I tell them I'm a Chinese and my mother tongues are Cantonese and Mandarin.

"You're a Chinese? I thought you're Malaysian." they said.

"Yes, I am a Malaysian Chinese." I replied.

"Err... what do you mean by Malaysian Chinese? Are you a Malaysian or are you a Chinese?" they began to get confused.

Often our foreigner friends are confused with the term "Malaysian Chinese". To them, "Malaysian" and "Chinese" both depict nationality.

However in Malaysia, the word "Chinese" carries 2 meanings. One being a citizen of the People's Republic of China. Another depicts 'race' and 'ethnicity'.

Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-cultural country. About 25% of its citizens is originated from China. Though we are all Malaysians by nationality, we (the Chinese descendents) always call ourselves 'Chinese', or more specifically 'Malaysian Chinese" - meaning a Malaysian citizen whose 'ethnicity' is 'Chinese'.

Well, I know, I know. There is no such differentiation in your western societies. Basically you guys just call us 'Asians'. And I know it's not easy for you to differentiate the looks of a Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese; or among Malays, Indonesians and Thais. However we Asians can see the differences.

Having said that, ethnicity and nationality should not become an issue. I believe humankind is one entity. We have the same origin.

Language wise? It's not a barrier too. Got a language problem? Get an interpreter!

What's the difference between an interpreter and a translator?

Listening to the speaker's presentation
and interpret at the same time.





Simultaneous interpreters sitting in booth.  



   



There are some differences between an interpreter and a translator. Both are skilled professionals, able to communicate in different languages. But the point that differentiates them is that the interpreter does the job on the spot, verbally, while the translator usually does it on a written form, and not necessarily at the same time the communication between two people is happening.

Simultaneous interpreters have to think and speak at the same time, and this ability is very hard to achieve, since precision and accuracy ought to be intricate qualities of their job. So, next time you participate on any conference, trade-show, meeting or any other circumstance in which interpreters and/or translators are participating as well, keep in mind what their qualities are, and value their hard work:

• Knowledge: They master both the source and the active (also called target) language and they’re 100 per cent capable of communicating in such languages in verbal and written forms

• Resourcefulness: They get the message across instantly, using not only their language skills but also their knowledge of the subject matter of the conference or meeting

• Intuition: In order to perform better in their everyday activities, they develop abilities to improvise and to construe facts in fast manner 

• Education: Simultaneous interpreters and translators are college-educated professionals

• Good Manners: Their voice is pleasant, and their manners are appropriate for interaction with one or dozens of people

• Cultured: Their knowledge of the world allows them to act with tact and to sort many unexpected situations