It may involve a dozen sound engineers to make preparations ahead of time.  First, several booths must be set up for the interpreters. Each will represent one language and contain interpreters all working at the same time. The location of the booths should allow all interpreters to see the speaker and the activities on stage while the booths should blend in with the conference setting.

Before the conference starts, the interpretation system has to be connected and tested to ensure each booth’s interpretation can be clearly heard from the headsets that will be provided to the audience.

When the audience gets there, each member is provided a headset connected to a radio-like device that receives the channels of interpretation in different languages (English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Japanese, German, etc.). Using all of this high-tech equipment makes you feel like you’re in the U.N.

The interpreters should arrive early and get as much information beforehand as possible.  Simultaneous interpretation is a very difficult and energy-consuming task. Therefore, there are usually two to three interpreters in each booth. They are like a relay race team, taking turns to interpret, 20 minutes each turn. While one interpreter is interpreting, the others must also listen to the speaker so that the next interpreter knows when it is his or her turn to interpret. The three interpreters also depend on each other for help. For example, they may need their partners to write down big numbers or look up the terms in the glossary. Teamwork is crucial to the success of the interpretation.

At the end of the communication relay race, every audience member has understood the conference. The team feels mission accomplished. Monterey Language Services is getting ready for one such conference as we speak. We look forward to helping the panel communicate to the audience.

People in the translation and interpretation business stress the importance of having a professional on site, no matter what the job is. In an everyday conversation using a bilingual friend or relative may be acceptable; however, trouble arises when that relative is put into stressful settings such as a medical, legal, or business situation.

When a professional interpreter is sent to one of these places, not only do they know how to fluently speak the necessary languages, but they are also trained in the specific field. For example, a professional interpreter that gets dispatched to a hospital will know how to say all of the different medicines and terms in both languages. On top of this, they have the knowledge to make the translation smooth and grammatically correct in order to avoid any confusion.

One thing to avoid when looking for precise translations are automated translation machines on the internet; although these are useful for translating short lines of text, more than a sentence may cause confusion. This leaves you with a poorly constructed block of text that is not fit for homework, business, or even a short conversation.

If you want proof, go to one of these websites and enter a large block of text from a book or magazine in English to a different language. After you have received the translated text, re-enter it and switch the languages to translate from the one you chose back into English.

Notice anything different?

~By Greg Will

Fact: In order to interact with any person, one must have proper common ground.

Fact: People need social interaction to fully be a part of society.

Fiction: It is difficult to connect with someone of a different language origin.

Even if you don’t believe these to be true, it is still a fascinating concept to think about. Relating this to the world of interpreting and translating, it is safe to say that the role that interpreters provide in society would be similar to the role a bridge provides. Both connect two separate areas (The bridge connecting land mass, while the interpreter connects two separate languages)

There would be no possible way to consider unifying all languages into one. There is simply too much culture and barriers in the way to do this. Also, this seems drastic and extremely unreasonable. This is where an interpreter comes into play. The interpreter allows whoever may be crossing their bridge (whatever language that may be) to effortlessly be able to access the other side of things, helping find the ultimate goal: understanding.

Due to the varying differences of language, the interpreter’s bridge would have many rises and falls, mixed in with some parts that open up and split apart. However, this bridge would be the most elegant and sturdy that could ever exist. This is due to the fact that this world has been formed and shaped based on the varying languages we as a people have.

Monterey Language Services provides medical interpretation and legal interpretation, which are among the most needed services.  In the medical field, we translate/interpret for doctors and patients, while also translating/interpreting forms, procedures, conferences, presentations, worker’s compensation, AME and QME.  In the legal field, the company translates and interprets depositions, witness interviews, court hearings, trials, conferences and presentations.

The following shows an example of our growth in the two areas.  We had to find interpreters in a pinch to help a hospitalized child, and a person who had been involved in a car wreck.  So, we made countless phone calls to interpreters who were available at the moment, and who could interpret for the right language combination.  This process required significant effort and motivation, but it was a very fulfilling experience knowing that we were helping people in their real lives when in times of need.

So what does this mean?  Overall, it relates to the concept of helping with communication.  We have the dedication and capacity to provide different kinds of language services in the medical and legal fields, whether it is an emergency or it is a language of which you have never heard before.

Please check out our pages about medical interpretation and legal interpretation:

http://www.montereylanguages.com/medical-interpretation-services.html

http://www.montereylanguages.com/legal-interpretation-services.html