For simultaneous interpreters, the interpreter booth – also called interpretation booth or interpreting booth – is their everyday workplace – permanently installed in the conference hall or as a mobile booth set up for your event.

Two-person booths are the most common, as simultaneous interpreters work in teams and take turns. At international events, one booth per language is usually needed, so the number of booths depends on the number of languages. On request, we organise the booths together with the interpreting team.

Why interpretation booths?

Simultaneous interpreters speak at the same time as the speaker. Without a booth, two people would be speaking in the room at once – with several languages, even more. Booths therefore offer several advantages:

• No disturbance: modern booths are almost soundproof. The interpreters do not disturb the audience, and noise in the hall does not disturb the interpreters.
• No overlap: when several teams interpret into different languages, they work acoustically separated.
• Good acoustics: the booths are designed for intelligibility.
• Room to work: for consoles, a laptop with prepared terminology and documents.

Where the booths should be placed

With mobile booths, a clear view is what matters most: the interpreters must be able to see the speaker, as facial expressions and gestures are part of the interpretation, and they need an unobstructed view of presentations and videos. If there is no room in the hall, the booths can also be set up in an adjoining room. The proceedings are then transmitted by video, usually to two monitors per booth: one for the speaker, one for the presentation.

Space required

A mobile interpreting booth has a footprint of about 1.80 m × 1.80 m. Please allow space for the door on one side of the booth, as well as for the equipment and the technicians, for example for the sound desk and video control.

Requirements for interpreter booths

The most important standards are ISO 2603 for permanent booths and ISO 4043 for mobile booths. In addition, a booth should meet these requirements:

• Size: enough room to work comfortably
• Sound insulation: no outside noise, clear interpretation for the audience
• Visibility: through windows or monitors onto the speaker and presentation
• Ventilation and air conditioning: simultaneous interpreting requires the highest concentration; stale air is a hindrance
• Power supply: for consoles and laptops

Good equipment is the foundation, an excellent team does the rest. Questions about booths and equipment? Contact us.

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