PTI Global

“Thank you, Mike, Christian, Daisy and Toby, and the rest of PTIGlobal for another great effort and successful project.”

—Senior Product Release Manager
Autodesk

Real-time communications across the language barrier

There are times when only skilled interpreters can help you achieve your communication goals. These are the times when verbal communication and the ability to 1) nuance language and 2) engage in dialogue are most efficient or even imperative.

First, let’s distinguish between the words interpreter and translator. Newscasters will often use a phrase like “…the voice of the translator”. But this is incorrect. Translation is the transmission of written communications between languages, while interpretation is the transmission of spoken communications.

There are two primary types of interpretation:

Consecutive interpretation
Simultaneous interpretation

Consecutive interpretation

Generally, consecutive interpretation is used to facilitate close face-to-face conversation, such as business meetings or site visits, where instant feedback, clarifications, and questions form part of the interaction.

The interpreter will connect the parties by interpreting into and out of both languages. After a phrase or series of phrases has been spoken by one side or the other, the interpreter conveys the message on the fly in the listener’s language, going back and forth easily between speakers and responders.

Extra meeting time needs to be allowed for this type of transaction.

Simultaneous interpretation

This type of interpretation is used when large groups gather or when presentations are the primary purpose of a meeting. Multiple interpreters and languages may be involved. Interpreter(s) usually need preparation, doing research on the subject matter beforehand, making term lists and notes to be used during the engagement. Study is necessary because the interpreter is interpreting at the same time the speaker is speaking and there is no time to “think.”

Simultaneous interpreters are the most highly skilled and highest paid linguists in the industry. Because good simultaneous interpreters are in great demand, they usually travel to their assignments, often internationally.

A meeting using simultaneous interpretation requires audio equipment, for the speakers, the listeners, and the interpreters (think U.N.). Unlike consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpreters are discretely present at desks at the back of a room or in sound booths.

PTIGlobal has facilitated such important meetings as:

For Rotary International: Global convention in multiple languages, attended by thousands of participants from around the world
For ESCO Corporation: Large meeting of European reps to update and train them on ESCO’s latest products
For Daimler Corporation: Week-long training session for Colombian airline maintenance workers in Spanish and English

PTIGlobal has the experience it takes to set up the most complex or straightforward engagement. We will support your international business operations anywhere in the world. With PTIGlobal, you can be sure that your international meetings and conferences will proceed “language transparent.”