For over 30 years we have been supplying consecutive interpreters for a wide range of events across the UK.
In Manchester, one of our experienced interpreters accompanied Portuguese employees from a chemical manufacturing company on their visit to our client’s head office in the UK. Their visit included a tour of the factory and shop floor, presentations and question and answer sessions. Our interpreter was on hand throughout to ensure the information was accurately conveyed to the Portuguese employees.
For this particular assignment, our interpreter was a qualified Portuguese native speaker who was also an experienced chemical engineer. This specialised background allowed our interpreter to confidently communicate technical terminology in both languages and exchange precise information in a clear and concise manner.
Matching more than just the language combination, but also taking into account the specialised skill set and experience required is something we value highly. We know this makes the difference between our clients getting a rough picture and the full picture.
What is Consecutive interpreting?
Consecutive interpreting is when the speaker pauses after a segment of speech in order for the interpreter to relay information. This is often done in settings such as courtrooms, business meetings and conferences.
It is important to decide beforehand how long or short each part will be. Some clients prefer this to be done on a sentence by sentence basis, whereas others prefer to wait for as long as ten or fifteen minutes before pausing for the interpreter. If the latter is preferred, the interpreter will take notes in order to accurately deliver the message. Finding the right balance is important; if the pauses are frequent it is easier to pass on more detailed information, but can lead to a less coherent understanding of the bigger picture.
Likewise, it is difficult for an audience to sit through long portions of a speech they do not understand, whilst waiting for the interpretation. The complexity and context of information is therefore a key consideration.
This form of interpreting is preferred at smaller, more formal business meetings, either face-to-face or during a conference call.Need a consecutive interpreter?
