FAQ

Are you new to working with interpreters or translators? We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about interpreting and translating, as well as information about the Russian, Ukrainian, German, and English languages on this page. To ensure successful cooperation, please review this information carefully. If you still have any questions, please reach out to us for support. We will be happy to assist you.

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Interpreting

Simultaneous interpreters work in booths, using headsets to listen to the presentation, translating it almost instantly into the target language, and speaking into a microphone. Listeners follow the interpretation through headsets.

Simultaneous interpreting presents many benefits. Due to real-time transmission, it eliminates the need for additional translation time and prevents disruption to other participants. It allows for multiple languages to be interpreted simultaneously. For this reason, simultaneous interpreting is prevalent at large-scale international conferences, forums, and congresses.

Professional conference interpreters primarily engage in simultaneous interpreting. They work in teams, which means that two or more interpreters are always present in a simultaneous translation booth.

Chuchotage, or whispering interpreting, is a special form of simultaneous interpreting in which the interpreter whispers the translation to up to two listeners. This mode is often used in negotiations, where the majority of participants share a common language and only few require translation. In this scenario, the interpreting takes place in a whisper to those few participants.

Alternatively, a small audience can be provided with simultaneous interpretation via a whispering system. This mode of interpretation is frequently utilized for tours in factories or museums.

When using consecutive interpreting, the interpreter takes notes of what is being said and then reproduces it in the target language. Since the speech is only transmitted/translated after the presentation, consecutive interpreting takes longer but often has a more profound impact in terms of the content. Professional interpreters can easily record and reproduce sections up to 15 minutes long with all necessary details, though experience shows that typically shorter passages are interpreted.

Consecutive interpreting is particularly useful for negotiations, conversations, or speeches delivered at tables. Occasionally, speeches and press conferences can be interpreted consecutively. If you are uncertain about which interpreting mode is best suited for your event, please do not hesitate to contact us for a complimentary consultation.

Simultaneous interpreting is a complex process that requires utmost concentration. For this reason, interpreters in the booth alternate approximately every 30 minutes. The number of interpreters required for an event depends on its length and the level of difficulty, usually ranging from two to three or even more in rare cases. Typically, two interpreters are sufficient for half-day events or those with extended breaks. However, to guarantee high-quality interpretation throughout a full-day conference, it is necessary to have one booth manned with three interpreters.

Only what has been truly understood can be interpreted correctly. Therefore, reputable interpreters ensure they are familiar with the topic and specific terminology prior to the assignment. The quality of interpretation improves when interpreters receive comprehensive information and documents about the event. Therefore, it is in the client’s best interest to provide the interpreter with as much information as possible regarding the upcoming event, along with comprehensive preparatory documents. To acquaint themselves with the subject matter, interpreters require sufficient time. Therefore, it is recommended to provide most of the documents at least two weeks in advance of the event.

Interpreters charge a daily rate that also includes their preparation time. Sometimes, one day of work requires two or more days of preparation. Therefore, interpreter fees cannot be extrapolated to a fixed salary.

If you provide us with the information about the topic, location, and duration of your event, we can prepare a preliminary cost estimate and provide it to you over the phone. We will then be happy to provide you with a detailed quote, which is entirely non-binding for you.

For large-scale multilingual events, contacting an agency can be practical since they can handle all the logistics and provide an all-inclusive solution. However, it is important to bear in mind that agencies make a profit by offering interpreter services and often underpay their contractors. This is why most professional interpreters often refuse to work with agencies that offer unreasonably low prices.

If you require infrequent interpreting services, it is better to directly request them to avoid the agency fee and receive exceptional service.

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Translation

Unfortunately, no. Translation is a complex process that requires more than mere understanding of the source text. The translator must also be capable of crafting the text perfectly in the target language while retaining the original style. Industry-specific knowledge is also required for specialized texts. Even with seemingly straightforward texts, errors such as false friends* or interference** are not uncommon in an amateur translation. Therefore, it is recommended that professional translation services be sought to ensure the quality of transations. This will prevent additional expenses for revising poor quality translations or re-translating from scratch.

* * False friends are expressions in two different languages that look similar but have different meanings.

** Interference is deviation from the norm of one language under the influence of another language.

Look for qualifications and professional experience. A degree in Translation/Interpretation is a quality guarantee, indicating the successful completion of a rigorous university program by the translator/interpreter. If you require a specialized translation, verify whether the translator possesses industry-specific expertise. If so, you can confidently select this translator.

If you have any pertinent information about the text to be translated, provide it to the translator to minimize time-consuming research and improve quality.

Additionally, let the translator know about the intended audience or country to ensure a linguistically and, where necessary, culturally appropriate translation.

Let the translator know whether you are satisfied with their work. However, if there are any issues, please be transparent so that your preferences can be taken in consideration moving forward.

When providing price quotes, it is customary to charge per standard line of text, which generally comprises 55 characters including spaces. Alternatively, other calculation methods, including per standard page or per word, may be used.