Professional multilingual solution companies have adapted their language interpreting services to the working conditions imposed by the new normal.
As you probably know, one of the industries most affected by the pandemic has been the organization of conferences and mass events. Physical distancing, limited capacities, strict hygiene measures and mobility restrictions have made it impossible to hold events in the same way they were held not too long ago.
Professionals and companies have radically changed the way they communicate. Meetings and conferences are now virtual events instead of in person, leveraging the technological development and digital tools that make it possible.
Video conferences, streamed meetings, webinars and online conferences have become essential to continue collaborating and establishing commercial and educational relationships worldwide.
Virtual interpreting service
In this context, language interpreters are some of the professionals that have changed the way they work the most.
Up to now, when their presence was required at conferences or mass events, language interpreters carried out their work from a booth located in the facility and were assisted by technical equipment consisting of transmitters, receivers, headphones and microphones that guaranteed the simultaneous interpreting (which is the most suitable in this type of event) reached the attendees who needed it.
Moreover, due to the demanding nature and intensity of this type of language interpreting, there were two interpreters who took turns.
Currently, language interpreters mostly work remote through the Internet.
¿What is it currently like to work as a language interpreter?
Remote language interpreting is the perfect means for virtual multilingual events. In this regard, the interpreter can be at the headquarters of the event that is being broadcasted to all attendees, in an operations center or even at their own studio.
To carry out these types of events, suitable digital platforms are used for video calls, video conferences and all types of virtual meetings. Some of the most popular are Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, which have experienced exponential growth in the last year.
How does remote interpreting work?
The transmission equipment is installed in the event’s venue and the interpreters access the platform though a computer to receive real time audio and video. The attendees access the used application with an established password and receive the simultaneous interpreting through the headphones that are connected to their smartphone or computer.
Pros and cons of this type of interpreting
This new way of working involves a greater effort from the language interpreter, as they must solve the technical issues that may arise, such as the poor connection of one of the speakers, which may mean losing part of the content. In the meantime, the professional language interpreter's concentration and capacity to improvise remain essential to provide a good service.
Hence, in this new scenario caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the interpreter also takes on added tasks such as communication and coordination with other interpreters, audiovisual technicians and organizers.
This way of developing language interpreting has the advantage of not limiting the number of participants and being able to go anywhere. However, to guarantee the work is successful, it is essential to count on a language interpreting company that has perfectly trained interpreters and offers the most advanced technical equipment.
