I recently wrote about why pilots don’t fly alone. Some jobs need the right conditions and the right people working together.
Simultaneous interpreting is no different.
Sound is our working tool. We need to hear every word, every name, every number, while processing the message and delivering it in another language. All at once!
Listening while speaking is a different challenge
Not everyone realises that listening while speaking is much harder than simply listening.
Try playing a recording with crackly sound and repeating what you hear at the same time. Not so easy, is it?
That’s essentially what simultaneous interpreters do, except we’re not just repeating words. We’re processing meaning, choosing the right terminology and delivering the message accurately in another language, all in real time.
When the sound is poor, we have to work harder to catch what’s being said while still interpreting accurately. It’s exhausting, and the risk of mistakes increases.
Good sound isn’t just about comfort. It directly affects our ability to do the job well.
There’s a health issue, too
Our hearing is our livelihood, so it’s hardly surprising that we’re protective of it.
Interpreters spend long periods listening through headphones, often in demanding acoustic environments. Poor sound can make us strain to hear, while turning up the volume to compensate isn’t always the answer.
We need to protect our hearing, not compromise it to work around inadequate audio.
We’re not fussy. We’re professionals.
Just like personal protective equipment (PPE) on a building site, good sound is not a nice-to-have. It’s a basic working condition.
The next time an interpreter raises a concern about sound at your event, please take it seriously. Addressing the problem benefits everyone, not just the interpreting team.
Organising an event with simultaneous interpreting?
Get in touch before your next event. I can advise you on what to consider when planning the interpreting setup, including sound quality, equipment and the needs of the interpreting team.
