Language barriers in business have been present for as long as international trade has been around. Overcoming those barriers can be difficult, especially when your business doesn’t have the right tools. One of the most common language barriers faced by international businesses is multilingual conference calls. What is the best way for your business to interpret conference calls? In today’s blog post, Akorbi answers questions about common interpreter needs for conference calls.
Are You Looking for Consecutive Or Simultaneous Interpreting?
The first important factor that you need to consider before choosing an interpreting service is the type of interpreter that will meet your needs. For conference calls, there are two main types of interpreter services to consider: consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting.
Consecutive interpreting is when the speaker speaks several sentences and then pauses to allow the interpreter to interpret those sentences and relay them to the audience.
Simultaneous interpreting is when the speaker speaks naturally without pausing, and the interpreter relays the interpretation to the audience at the same time the speaker is talking. This is the format you have likely seen if you have ever watched a meeting at the United Nations. This method usually requires headsets and microphones.
What Equipment Do You Need?
If you choose consecutive interpreting, you actually don’t need a lot of equipment. You simply need the right interpreters for each language that will be used on the call. However, for simultaneous interpreting, you will need headsets and microphones to accommodate all parties. There are many equipment options for simultaneous interpreting, each varying in price and quality.
Plan Ahead
Lastly, make sure to plan out your conference call ahead of time. The worst-case scenario for your conference call is not having an interpreter on the day of the call. It is very difficult to find interpretation solutions for conference calls on the spot, so plan ahead and get the most out of your multilingual conference call.
Contact Akorbi If You Need an Interpreter
If you are looking for interpretation services, Akorbi can help. For more information on what we have to offer, give us a call at (214) 256-9222 or contact us online today.