Consecutive interpreting is an interpreting modality in which the speaker makes a speech (or says a few sentences) while the interpreter takes notes. The interpreter then reproduces what the speaker said for the audience. Typically, he stands or sits close to the speaker, uses a pad and pen to take notes, and uses the microphone (if there is one) only after the speaker has finished and it is his turn to speak.
To be an excellent consecutive interpreter, you must:
- First, learn to listen actively, which means analyzing what the speaker is saying
- Second, take helpful notes to help you remember the speech when you play it back, and then
- Be able to deliver the speech as if it’s yours in your active language.
The three main actions are, therefore:
- actively listening (understanding),
- analyzing (taking structured notes), and
- reproducing (communicating).
Several different skills are needed, in addition to understanding the passive/foreign language. A consecutive interpreter has first to learn how to «actively listen.» To listen actively may sound simple, but interpreters listen in a very different way from other people (just as a psychoanalyst also has a unique way of listening to people speak) because the purpose of listening is different. Interpreters do not react or participate in the conversation; they hear to be able to faithfully and accurately recall and reproduce what has been said in another language (and psychoanalysts listen to find clues about their patient’s mental state).
To learn this unique skill, interpreters first learn how to reproduce a speech without taking notes, and after some time, they learn more information and tools to analyze speech and take valuable notes. Another important thing a consecutive interpreter needs to know is «how to keep talking.» Sometimes the announcer stops for a few seconds after saying a sentence to think about what to say next. The consecutive interpreter must also be able to pause his interpretation of the speech to give the speaker time to continue speaking.
Interpreta Chile offers consecutive interpreting services for all kinds of events. Our interpreters are highly trained and are native professionals in the languages we offer. To quote our consecutive interpreting services, use our contact form. You can also call us at +569 9632 1704, and one of our account executives will attend to your request.
Modalities of Consecutive Interpretation
Consecutive interpreting has different modalities; below, we mention what they are and in what setups they work best:
- Contact Interpretation: In this mode of interpretation, the message to be transferred is concise, no more than 20 seconds. Given the above, the interpreter does not need to take notes to communicate the message from the original to the terminal language.
- Liaison interpreting or interpretation with note-taking: In this mode of interpretation, the message to be transferred is long, up to 4 or 5 minutes. Given the above, the interpreter does not need to take notes to transmit the message from the original language to the terminal language.
- Accompaniment or escort interpreting: The dynamics of this modality are identical to the previous two; the only difference is that the physical place where the activity is carried out is not static, that is to say, that both the interpreters and the participants move from one place to another. A clear example of this modality would be a visit to a plant where participants visit different processes.
Benefits of Consecutive Interpretation
Next, we will detail some of the benefits provided by the consecutive interpreting modality.
- Greater control of the message: since the interpreter only interprets what he hears, the speaker has complete control of his speech and can adapt it to the needs or questions of the audience at any time.
- Lower cost: consecutive interpretation has lower final costs since you use only one interpreter. In addition, using special equipment or simultaneous interpretation systems is unnecessary; consecutive interpretation is a much cheaper option than other interpretation modalities.
- Increased flexibility: Consecutive interpreting is a highly versatile option and can be applied to a wide variety of events, from business meetings to stage speeches
- Increased accuracy: Allowing the speaker to pause and clarify their speech reduces the margin of error in interpretation. It also allows the interpreter to verify sensitive data, for example, numbers and figures, in business meetings.
Consecutive Interpreting at Interpreta Chile Limitada
Interpreta Chile offers a professional and quality consecutive interpreting service at competitive prices. Our conference interpreters are trained to meet all of your interpreting needs in any setting. We provide interpretation services for a wide variety of events, such as:
- Business meetings
- Conferences
- Conventions
- Seminars
- Boards of directors
- Business negotiations
- Videoconferences
- Conference calls
- Work meetings
- commercial exhibitions
- Plant visits
- Training
- Workshops
- Court hearings
- and more.
Interpreta Chile puts at your disposal a team of professional interpreters specialized in different areas and with extensive experience in providing consecutive interpreting services. All our interpreters are qualified professionals to perform this type of interpreting.
Disadvantages of Consecutive Interpretation
Although consecutive interpreting offers many benefits, it also has some drawbacks.
- Longer interpretation time: because the interpreter only interprets what he hears, the interpretation time is longer than in other modalities. While this does not affect the quotation’s final costs, it generates expenses in terms of the time invested in a consecutive interpretation; it is practically double that required in a simultaneous interpretation.
- More significant fatigue for the interpreter: due to the long duration of the interpretation, it can be more tiring for the interpreter. We suggest periodic breaks every hour for the interpreter, or there is a risk that, at some point, the interpreter cannot interpret anymore.
- Increased difficulty: In some cases, especially if the topic is technical or there are multiple speakers, it may be more difficult for the interpreter to follow the conversation thread and provide an accurate interpretation. The interpreter has in his favor that he can ask or ask the speaker for clarification.
- Requires more preparation: Due to the particular difficulty of consecutive interpreting, the interpreter must have a good knowledge of the topic and technical vocabulary before the event, which means more preparation time on the part of the interpreter.
- Not suitable for all events: Due to its limitations, consecutive interpreting is not ideal for all occasions. Generally, it is better to use consecutive interpretation in smaller events or those in which the topic is broad; it also works perfectly in business meetings.
Cost of a consecutive interpretation
The cost of consecutive interpretation depends on several factors, such as the language, event duration, theme, and location. The date also plays an important role; for example, surcharges may apply when quoting with very little time in advance.
However, at Interpreta Chile, we can quote in a couple of hours; use our contact form to quote your service in a complete and detailed way; you will have the final cost within the day except for Sunday.
Conclusion
Interpreta Chile offers a professional and quality consecutive interpreting service at competitive prices. Our conference interpreters are highly trained to meet all of your interpreting needs in any setting.
We offer services for various events, such as business meetings, conferences, congresses, seminars, board meetings, commercial negotiations, video conferences, telephone conferences, work meetings, trade fairs, plant visits, training, workshops, court hearings, and more.
FAQ
What is the cost of consecutive interpreting?
We would like to answer with certainty, but we must say it depends. There are several factors to calculate the cost of a consecutive interpretation. Such as the location of the interpretation, if you need one interpreter or two, if the interpretation requires special preparation, how long the event lasts, whether portable interpreting equipment is necessary, etc. But we invite you to quote with us, and we usually respond in a couple of hours.
What languages are available for consecutive interpretation?
We offer consecutive interpreting in numerous languages. Some of the most popular languages are Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
How much time in advance is required to book a consecutive interpretation?
We need at least one week in advance to book a consecutive interpretation. However, the more time you give us, the better we can ensure the availability of our interpreters and better accommodate your needs. Now, in emergencies, we can solve your requirement; contact us and check availability.
Why is it recommended to use consecutive interpreting at smaller events?
Consecutive interpreting is cheaper than simultaneous interpreting and works perfectly in smaller events. No special equipment is required, and the interpreter can sit next to the group without further special requirements. Furthermore, with the help of portable equipment, an interpretation can achieve a degree of simultaneity at a meager cost.
How does consecutive interpreting work in practice?
The interpreter sits next to the speaker and waits for him to speak. The interpreter then interprets what the speaker has said into the target language. The interpreter may take notes to help you remember what was said, but it is not strictly necessary. Sometimes the interpreter may ask the speaker to repeat what they have said to help convey the message faithfully; the latter isn’t possible in simultaneous interpretation.
How many interpreters to quote in a consecutive interpretation?
If the event is small and the speaker speaks a language that the interpreter is fluent in, only one interpreter is needed. However, if the extension of the event is full-time, two interpreters will be required since a single interpreter can’t withstand that workload. If you work with only one interpreter, remember to set rest breaks at least every hour.
How do I request a quote for consecutive interpreting?
Very easy, you can contact us by phone or email, and we will respond as soon as possible. We recommend using our contact form since it includes all the necessary data to make a detailed and accurate quote.