UN-Level Conference Interpreter Certified Legal Interpreter

In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter and the speaker alternate. The client speaks first, then pauses, resuming once the interpreter has delivered the message. When speakers make lengthy remarks, the interpreter may take notes to ensure accuracy. This mode is commonly used for depositions, over-the-phone interpreting, certain medical appointments, and in some law office or courtroom settings. Depending on the size or acoustics of the venue, and the number of participants, microphones or headsets may be required. Because the exchange stops each time the interpreter needs to speak, the overall duration of the event can extend significantly—sometimes nearly doubling—so it’s important to plan accordingly.

In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter renders the message in real time while the speaker continues, trailing only a few words or seconds behind. This is the format typically used at UN meetings, large international conferences, and during various judicial proceedings. Interpreters usually work from soundproof booths, and listeners receive the interpretation through wired headsets or small wireless receivers. Portable equipment — i.e., transmitters and receivers with microphones and headsets — may be suitable in certain settings, for example when escorting large groups through loud environments such as shops or factory floors. When only one person needs the interpretation, equipment may be unnecessary — the interpreter can quietly convey the message by whispering (“chuchotage”). Simultaneous mode demands sustained, extraordinarily intense focus. For this reason, unless the event lasts no longer than half an hour, interpreters working in simultaneous mode always work in pairs, switching every 15–30 minutes.