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Home 9 Interpreting Services 9 Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI): Learn How To Interpret In Real-Time!
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Oct 23, 2024 | Interpreting Services

Imagine a scenario in which you are in a room full of people who cannot understand each other! That is because everyone speaks a different language, and no one knows each other’s language or dialect. How would you react? Confused? Frustrated? Upset? Disappointed?

Now, imagine you know a translator or interpreter, but that person is not there! What would you do? I know you would simply call or get on a video call with them. Yes, exactly! Thanks to AI, we can access someone’s expertise from any corner of the world. This is what remote simultaneous interpretation does and loosely means! In this blog, we will tell you about this emerging boon and help you choose the right one for all your needs.  

Had the earlier situation happened, foreign trade and individuals would have been most affected. While we all know how globalisation and localisation have positively influenced our lives, we fail to praise translators and interpreters. But without them, none of us would have been able to bridge the language gap, which would affect foreign trade and globalisation.

What Is Remote Simultaneous Interpretation?

Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) refers to remotely interpreting a conference or meeting conversation from the source language to the target language. While in the traditional interpretation process, the professional interpreter is present in the event, in RSI, the interpreter is not present physically. These meeting or conference interpreters operate from remote locations using specialised RSI platforms so listeners can see and hear the speaker. Since the interpreters can listen, interpret, and deliver simultaneously and offer real-time interpreting services, it is called remote simultaneous interpretation.

How Does Remote Simultaneous Interpretation Work?

The process of RSI is as simple as traditional interpretation. Except in RSI, the interpretation from one language to another language significantly depends on technology. Since these RSI platforms are entirely cloud-based platforms, everyone gets live real-time interpreting services

Speaker

When the speaker speaks, the interpreter listens closely and simultaneously translates the speaker’s dialogue and words from the source language to the target. Therefore, meeting or conference interpreters to work must have high-level language proficiency and quick-thinking capabilities.

Interpreter(s)

While the speaker speaks, the interpreter interprets. Therefore, the listeners can listen to the interpreted speech in real time and follow the speaker without delay. 

RSI Platform 

A cloud-based Remote Simultaneous Interpretation platform like Skype, WebEx, and Zoom helps the speaker, interpreter, and audience interact simultaneously, so all three must have high-performing broadband service. Without a stable internet connection, RSI fails.

Audience 

Lastly, the audience. In this scenario, the audience refers to the delegates or attendees who can be present anywhere in the world. RSI helps the audience listen and participate in the conference or meeting in their preferred language.

While everything seems like a traditional interpretation, RSI has many benefits. Therefore, let’s check out the benefits of remote simultaneous interpretations.

How Does Remote Simultaneous Interpretation Services Help?

Infographics shows the 4 ways remote simultaneous interpretation services help<br />

Affordable Solution

Conference interpreting is usually costly. However, remote language interpretation services are cost-efficient. This is because remote simultaneous language interpretation does not require the interpreter to be present in the venue. Therefore, clients can save on travel and accommodation expenses. You only need a stable internet connection and are all set to go!  

Accessible And Flexible

Interpreters can work remotely from anywhere in the world. Therefore, people conducting online meetings or conferences can access interpreters from around the globe and hire the best ones. Furthermore, the listener gets access to multiple languages because interpreters can translate any language to another in real-time.    

Enhanced User Experience

On-site simultaneous interpretation only serves attendees physically present at the event, while RSI serves a global audience. Another benefit is that the events can be of any type, such as virtual or hybrid conferences or meetings. RSI platform today offers attendees from all over the world the opportunity to join the event on their phone, laptop or desktop computer.

High-Quality Interpretations

Since interpreters work remotely, these interpreting services help remote interpreters maintain a work-life balance. Furthermore, they can work from anywhere in a soundproof booth or room with a proper headset and microphone. 

What Are The Main Challenges Of Remote Simultaneous Interpretation Solutions?

Infographics show 3 major challenges of remote simultaneous interpretation<br />

Though RSI has multiple benefits, including allowing interpreters to work from anywhere and opening doors to multiple opportunities, it also has some challenges that every speaker, interpreter, and listener must face and deal with for a streamlined process.   

Network Dependence

Being remote simultaneous interpretation, it is evident that a minor lag in the connection can significantly disrupt the process. But RSI means live real-time interpreting; therefore, if the network fails or any issues occur, remote interpretation fails as well.  

Sound Quality Issues

RSI works in collaboration with the speaker, interpreter, and audience. Therefore, sound quality matters a lot; if the sound quality fails, the collaboration will be hindered, causing a language barrier and the failure of the entire event.  

Technical Problems

The interpreter hears and sees the speaker on a device and then translates, which is transmitted to a cloud-based remote platform via a computer or mobile device. Therefore, technical support is essential. However, interpreters ususally face challenges in fixing the problems and thus the process is hindered.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI)?

Translating speech from one language to another is essential. Therefore, you must weigh both pros and cons before proceeding with the Remote Simultaneous Interpretation RSI.

Pros Cons
RSI eliminates travel, accommodation, and equipment rental expenses for interpreters, making it more affordable for various organisations. Reliance on tech can lead to problems such as connectivity issues or audio quality degradation, which may disrupt interpretation.
Interpreters can work from anywhere, allowing organisations to choose the best talent without geographical constraints and even at short notice. The absence of face-to-face communication can hinder rapport between interpreters and speakers, potentially affecting the quality of interpretation.
RSI democratises access to interpreting services, making them available to small businesses and NGOs and for hybrid and online events. Interpreters must manage their technology setup and troubleshoot issues during events, adding stress to their roles.
Interpreters benefit from reduced travel demands, allowing for a better balance between work and personal life. Remote working can lead to feelings of isolation among interpreters, as they miss out on in-person interactions with colleagues.
The remote nature of RSI allows for a wider range of languages to be interpreted simultaneously, catering to diverse audiences. The effectiveness of RSI can vary based on the technology used and the interpreter's familiarity with remote tools, which may affect overall quality.

How To Choose A Real-Time Multilingual Interpreter For Remote Interpreting?

Infographics shows 6 ways to choose a real time multilingual interpreter for remote interpreting<br />

Interpreting speech into another language via an RSI platform requires technological and language proficiency. You may check out the following qualities when choosing an interpreter:  

Prioritise Communication Skills

Remote simultaneous interpretation takes an interpreter to have a high level of communication skills. Your interpreter must have strong listening and speaking skills so that they can convey the nuance of the language, maintaining the tone of the event and language. 

Evaluate Language Proficiency

You must search for interpreters who are natives or have native-level fluency in the languages. They should be able to translate simultaneously with accuracy and speed. 

Consider Subject Matter Expertise

Specialised fields like legal, medical, and scientific require technical interpreters with specialised knowledge. Search for experts in the subject matter who hold language degrees. This is essential because only specialised interpreters know your industry’s terminology, processes, and best practices. 

Ensure Availability And Reliability

Check the interpreter’s dates and book them ahead of time so that simultaneous interpreters are available and can prepare for the event. Check their reviews on the website or assign tasks to a reliable interpreter. 

Look For A Professional Interpreter

You must look for interpreters with certification and experience. This is because they are usually proficient in a number of languages in addition to the source and target languages. Furthermore, professional interpreters offer high-quality interpretations and maintain confidentiality and privacy. They must also be able to use remote simultaneous interpretation platforms.

Avail Remote Simultaneous Interpretation Platforms

Many RSI platforms today offer both standalone video and integration with video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Skype, MS Teams, WebEx, GoToMeeting, and others. These audio and video remote interpreting platforms offer Interpreter consoles, high-quality sound, and other interpreting equipment. Therefore, when interpreters connect to the RSI platforms it feels like the are physically present in the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Simultaneous Interpretation?

Simultaneous interpretation refers to interpreting speech or sign language into another language in live events in real-time. Interpreters deliver quality interpretation and language services, which they translate when they listen to the speaker on their device. Therefore, the presenter speaks in one language, the interpreter speaks in the translated language, and attendees can listen to the interpretation simultaneously.

What Is Consecutive Interpretation?

Consecutive interpretation refers to interpretation where interpreters wait for the speaker to finish before interpreting.

Where Can RSI Be Used?

RSI can be added to any online meeting, including business meetings, conferences, panel discussions, seminars, online webinars, governmental sessions, worship nights, etc., where people need to access interpretation remotely and listen to an audio feed in the language of their choice.

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