Deconstructing Remote Interpreting

Clear communication is key when rendering a message to an audience, especially at an event where attendees may represent multiple countries, cultures and languages. Though globalization is growing and plurilingualism is not uncommon, it’s not always possible for a speaker to jump multiple language hurdles when delivering important information to cross-cultural listeners. In these cases, the need for interpreters is clear and for certain events, remote interpreting can be the best option, but what does remote interpreting entail, exactly? How does it work, and when is it most useful?

Ins and outs of equipment and the human team?

A remote interpreting service is based on the principle of remote audio and video communication via the internet, enabling a flexible and swift service that meets the needs of every client. This remote system has two principal advantages that traditional on-site methods can’t beat:

On one hand interpreters don’t have to be at the actual event location, nor is there a necessity for large, complicated equipment. This can clearly cut the costs and hassle of providing transportation for interpreters, especially in the case where multiple interpreters would be needed. Ideally, the interpreter’s professional skills should be the same: qualified, native interpreters, all of them experts in various disciplines and with extensive professional experience. On the other hand, there is no need for specialized on-site technical gear. Remote interpreting uses audio or video receivers, or smartphones, to transmit an off-site interpreter, working in a controlled professional environment, to audience members.

Typically, a quality remote interpreting service requires:

computers
audio and/or video equipment
smartphones and apps or receiving devices
an online connection.

Transmission equipment is set up at the event, and interpreters view and/or listen to the event from professional offices at the CPSL site and interpret it simultaneously. The interpretation is then transmitted via receiving device, video or smartphone app to audience members who want to hear the message in their native language.

When can you benefit from Remote Interpreting Technology (RIT)?

RIT is useful for any event in which a speaker is communicating to an audience of multiple languages and cultures, including courtrooms, conferences, proceedings, criminal or police inquiries.
Remote interpreting can provide a way to communicate between people of various languages when resources — whether funding, manpower, or technology — are limited, when security or space is a concern, or where a group is too diverse or for on-site interpreters to be practical.

Challenges

Technical equipment must be set up properly whether the event requires on-site or remote interpretation in order to ensure a smooth program and audience-member comprehension. It’s therefore imperative that the equipment be checked and double-checked. With a professional service provided by your reliable interpreting partner, this becomes much easier and offers peace of mind, especially if remote interpreters are working from a controlled office setting with vital equipment and team members nearby, should the rare problem occur. If nothing else, the profile of the selected professional interpreters tends to be slightly more ‘tech’ orientated.

Interpreters are excellent multitaskers who take note of non-verbal cues from the speaker they are interpreting as well as reactions from the audience. When remote interpreting, they must rise to the challenge, since this is often done through video-conferencing that may only show the speaker on-screen. As technology improves and remote interpreters grow accustomed to visual and auditory cues and constraints, they will continue to adapt their skills to different environments and the varied demands of on- and off-site interpreting.

One huge benefit, however, to those interpreting remotely, is that any hint of possible distraction is minimized (i.e. camera crews or flashes, sudden loud noises or unexpected movements are all non-issues with remote interpreting, allowing the interpreter to focus solely on the speaker, what (s)he is saying, and getting the message accurately across to the audience).

In fact, an added advantage for audience members is that they can access the event from their home or office when they might not be able to otherwise. This option saves them time and money in transport and other daily costs.

The CPSL RIT remote method offers great advantages, without compromising quality, and it provides an excellent user experience. The possibility of dispensing with the transport and set-up of technical equipment, as well as the costs of travel, food and accommodation for interpreters, also means that we can offer very competitive prices…

Is Remote Interpreting right for you?

Remote interpreting can be the right solution for anyone looking to cut costs, meet security requirements, cater to a large and diverse group of listeners and have a wide reach without tons of equipment or manpower. It’s a growing service that can help you reach your communication goals.

An example of the benefits of remote interpreting service is the CPSL Remote Interpreting Technology (RIT), a user-friendly, intuitive system for quality interpreting services with minimum cost and equipment. To prepare your remote interpreting partner for your multilingual event, you need to provide the following: