Let’s talk about interpreting...
Paola Tormo—
Interpreting is a key discipline for communication between people who do not share the same language and it is not yet being decisively affected by AI. This is because the discipline is highly dependent on dialectal varieties, context and sociolinguistic nuances. Human interpreters recognise accents, registers, local idioms and implicit cultural references that change even within the same language. These not only alter the literal meaning, but also the communicative intent. Although AI systems have improved in terms of in recognition and translation, they still struggle to identify subtle variations, regional ironies or non-standard uses of language that a human interpreter immediately recognises from experience and cultural knowledge.
Interpreting also requires a fine management of rhythm and communicative context. The interpreter must adapt to how fast the speaker is talking, strategic pauses, interruptions and spontaneous changes, while maintaining coherence and fluency in real time. Plus there is the situational context: who is speaking, to whom, for what purpose and in what setting? AI does not yet reliably integrate these dynamic variables or make pragmatic split-second decisions. Interpreting therefore remains an area where human skills are difficult to replace.
In short, it is very important to have professional interpreters to effectively convey your desired message. There are various kinds of interpreting, each designed for specific contexts and needs. Knowing about them helps you better understand their value and pick the right approach for each situation. The most common are:
- Simultaneous interpreting, probably the best known. The interpreter translates the message for the audience at almost the same time as the speaker is talking, usually from a booth and with audio equipment. It is used at congresses, international conferences, political summits and large multilingual events, where it is essential not to interrupt the flow of communication.
- A similar form, in terms of technique, is whisper interpreting or chuchotage, where the interpreter whispers the translation directly into the ear of one or two people while the speaker is talking. It is mainly used for small meetings, official visits, court trials or events where booths and technical equipment are not available.
- Consecutive interpreting is different in being delivered after the speaker has spoken. The speaker talks for a few minutes and then the interpreter reproduces the message in another language. This is common at business meetings, press conferences, interviews, court trials and short institutional events. Here it is essential for the interpreter to have good note-taking skills, or an excellent memory, if the speaker talks for a long time before the interpreter has a chance to interpret.
- Liaison or bilateral interpreting is characterised by flexibility and immediacy. It is common at business meetings or visits and diplomatic discussions. Here the interpreter facilitates two-way communication between two or more people in a more informal and flexible format. This is a clear example of how necessary the human component is in interpreting, as adaptation to the context and situation are key.
- A more peculiar form is sworn interpreting. This is performed by a sworn interpreter in situations where a legal guarantee of accuracy and confidentiality is required: court trials, signing at a notary office, appearing before official bodies, etc. The sworn interpreter guarantees that the communication between the parties is true, accurate and in accordance with the law. Sworn interpreting can be both simultaneous and consecutive, but since it takes place in a legal and formal framework in which the translation has official status and legal validity, everything interpreted must be audible to all parties, including the judge, prosecutor, lawyers or notary.
Each type of interpreting meets a particular need. Choosing the best or necessary form ensures not only linguistic comprehension, but also effective, respectful and professional communication in any context.