(Last Updated On: July 27, 2018)The two most commonly used types of interpretation are the simultaneous and consecutive interpreting services. To find out which one is easier, we have to look deeply at the two forms of interpretation.

Consecutive interpreting services

Consecutive interpreting services are the first type where the interpreter waits and listens patiently to the speaker until a break occurs. At that time, the interpreter delivers the same speech in a different language to the target audience. Consecutive interpreting services are more suitable in meetings where there are only a few people involved. Such services are mostly used in places like churches, PTA meetings, head of resources meetings, court depositions, press conferences. These are the conditions where consecutive interpreters are mostly needed. A consecutive interpreter does not necessary need the use of special equipment to carry out his job. One of the advantages that conservative interpretation has over simultaneous interpretation is that it can be used for an interactive session.

Simultaneous interpretation

Simultaneous interpretation is a form of interpretation where the speaker and the interpreter speak simultaneously, the interpreter relay the speech to the target audience in another language at a few seconds behind the speaker. In a formal setting, the interpreter sits in a booth that is sound-proof, equipped with a microphone to speak and earphones to listen to the speaker. Simultaneous interpretation is specially designed for meetings with a large number of people using various languages and different language interpreters delivering the speech from the speaker simultaneously. It is usually used in multilingual conferences like the United Nations, diplomatic conferences or international courts. Unlike consecutive interpreting services, simultaneous services are used in a more professional meeting.

Conclusion

After going through the two interpretation types; both with their advantages and disadvantages and their different functions, it can be argued that consecutive interpreting services are easier to provide than simultaneous interpretation. We at Telephone Interpreting Service can do both if the clients have the right tools, by phone. Our platform is designed to help interpreting agencies set up their own automated  phone interpreting platform at a fair cost.