Are you planning for a big event, conference or a meeting and you have arranged everything for it? Booked the hall, seating, food catering, transportation, ticketing and everything. But, what will happen if you are hosting foreign people who don’t speak your mother language? Did you manage to arrange interpreters for them? Did you rent the required equipment?
Because specialization will guarantee you will get the best results, so it’s better for you to outsource the translation and interpreting to a service provider. But how can you select interpretation services provider that you can trust? We will help by providing you with a list of questions that will help you filter all the options you got.
Here are the top 10 frequently asked questions for interpretation companies:
1) What is the difference between interpreting and translating?
The translation is written while interpretation is spoken. The translation is the conversion of a text from one language to another one. Interpretation is the conversion of oral or sign-language spoken into another language.
2) What’s the difference between Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting?
Simultaneous interpretation -known as real-time interpreting or conference interpretation- requires the interpreter to listen to one language and then interpret it in another language at once. Normally, it’s used in multi-lingual conferences and meetings, where interpreters sit in a booth listening to the conversation on headphones and interpreting through microphones.
Consecutive interpretation is when there are 2 speakers, the interpreter will listen to the first one and translate what he has said to the second speaker then listen to the second speaker and translate his/her reply to the first speaker. Therefore, a lot of pauses are required for interpretation. Consecutive interpretation is mainly used at two language meetings and interviews.
3) Are there different types of interpretation services?
Before looking for a company that will work on your project, you just need to know what are your requirements. There are different types of interpreting services and you might hire a company that is not offering the service that you exactly need. For example, you might need a sworn interpreter, so you have to make sure that your service provider is providing this type of interpretation.
However, here are the most common types of interpreting services:
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Chuchotage or whisper interpretation:
It’s considered simultaneous interpretation, but mainly used for business meetings, where an interpreter is sitting next to the person and interpreting quietly in hushed tones.
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Telephone interpretation:
This type of interpretation is used by companies that have immediate needs for translation services. You can simply search for the language pair and then you will get the right interpreter and this can be done within a couple of minutes. The only disadvantage is that the interpreter will not have proper knowledge about the situation – which might affect the quality of translation.
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Relay interpretation:
It’s also known as “indirect interpretation”. It is commonly used when there are many rare languages at an event or a conference; so one interpreter will translate into one common language like English, and then other interpreters will transfer the message to the other rare languages.
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Escort/Travel Interpreting:
Interpreters here might be considered as assistants, as they travel with businessmen on their trips, meetings and conferences. They not only interpret, but they also try to help them cope with foreign cultures.
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Sworn interpretation:
A sworn interpreter is certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and he/she needs to pass a couple of translation tests to be certified as a sworn interpreter. Then he should swear and sign any translated document. it’s mainly used in courts or notarial acts.
4) What is a certified interpreter?
A certified interpreter is an interpreter who has passed accredited and reliable exams by an independent entity and he mainly works at courts. The accreditation in South Africa is done by the South African Translators’ Institute (SATI) and it’s carried out once or twice a year.
5) When is the equipment required for interpretation?
Not all types of interpretation require equipment. interpretation, for example, does not. However, reply or simultaneous interpretation require equipment like headsets, booths, and microphones. Most interpretation companies rent equipment from other companies, so you just need to make sure that this equipment is in good condition and to test them before the conference or the event so as to avoid any technical issues.
6) How can I determine the interpreting quote?
Quotation for the translating and interpreting service is completely different. Translation is charged per word which is impossible to figure in interpretation. Quotation of interpretation is based on other aspects like:
- Language pairs.
- Nature of the event.
- The type of interpretation.
- The length of the meeting/conference
- Specialization and experience.
7) How can I make sure about the confidentiality of my conference/meeting?
You need to make sure that your service provider will sign a confidentiality agreement with you. This will guarantee that all information will not be shared outside the conference/meeting with a friend, relative or even with other employees inside the same company.
8) Why do we sometimes need two interpreters?
Studies have shown that significant errors might happen after 30 to 40 minutes of continuous interpretation. Therefore, in order to not compromise the quality of the interpretation, you should make sure that there is a substitute interpreter, so each one will translate for 30 to 40 minutes maximum.
9) What kind of information should I provide before the conference/ meeting?
Preparing the interpreter before the meeting or the conference will affect the quality of interpretation. So, if you have a conference, you can provide interpreters with the presentations that will improve their fluency. Also if you have a court case, reading the case notes will make them understand the nature of the case.
10) What will happen if I have to cancel the booking of the interpreter?
If you would like to cancel a booking for an interpreter, you need to report this a long time before, so that the interpreter can find an alternative assignment. Some companies may charge you a fee and it will be based on the timeframe before cancelling the booking.
Why to choose afrolingo as an interpreting agency?
There are several reasons why you should choose AfroLingo as your interpreting agency:
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Experience: AfroLingo has years of experience in providing high-quality interpreting services to clients across a range of industries, including healthcare, legal, and corporate. Our team of professional interpreters are highly trained and have extensive experience in their respective fields.
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Quality: At AfroLingo, we are committed to providing the highest quality interpreting services to our clients. We have strict quality control measures in place to ensure that our interpreters meet our high standards of accuracy and professionalism.
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Flexibility: We understand that interpreting needs can vary greatly depending on the situation. That’s why we offer a range of interpreting services, including consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and whispered interpreting, to meet the unique needs of our clients.
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Cultural competence: Our interpreters have a deep understanding of the cultures and customs of the languages they work with. This ensures that our interpreting services are not only accurate, but also culturally appropriate, helping to bridge the gap between languages and cultures.
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Customer service: At AfroLingo, we pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide personalized interpreting solutions that meet their specific requirements.
AfroLingo is an experienced and highly professional interpreting agency that is committed to providing high-quality interpreting services to clients across a range of industries. With our commitment to quality, flexibility, cultural competence, and exceptional customer service, you can trust AfroLingo to deliver the interpreting services you need to communicate effectively with your target audience.
AfroLingo is willing to accept any customer request and meet all the interpreting needs. We are one of the companies that are known for providing interpretation in over 100 languages. We believe that interpretation requires a high level of accuracy and professionalism, and we are your solution to achieve that. No matter how complicated your request, we will make it happen. We are distinguished by the following:
- 24/7 support.
- Competitive prices.
- Providing all types of interpretation.
So, if you are planning for a conference, event or a meeting soon and you will have foreign language speakers, it’s never too late to start planning. You can request a free quote by contacting us today.
