Newsletter
Newsletter December 2021
Arriving in the new normality
Just as home office and video conferencing have become routine for all of us, remote interpreting at hybrid and virtual events has also become the new normal for all of us. Remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI), sometimes also referred to as video interpreting, in conjunction with the use of a hub, is now part of everyday life for interpreters.
With Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI), interpreting takes place simultaneously, i.e. in parallel with the spoken word in real time, just like at a face-to-face event. A hub is a permanent or temporary room with several interpreting booths. In these interpreting booths, the interpreters have the same working conditions as at a conference in a stationary booth or a mobile booth set up just for the event. Due to the coronavirus, we always use one booth per interpreter.
Alternatives to a hub for shorter events
There are also alternatives to using a hub for a short meeting or presentation. Whether the interpreters work from home or from SIMCONSULT's offices. Interpreting from home has several disadvantages. A hub should be used for all-day assignments, multiple language directions (especially if relay interpreting is required) or a large number of participants.
At virtual or hybrid events, there is no direct contact between participants, speakers, organisers, technicians and interpreters. Without direct contact with the audience, the speakers and interpreters do not receive any feedback from the audience. Not all types of events can be transported into the virtual space. Even though we have all come to terms with the new conditions, we would still like to see face-to-face events back.
Language diversity for translations
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, SIMCONSULT has translated information material on the current coronavirus regulations and vaccination campaigns for the Hanseatic cities of Bremen and Hamburg (and other institutions). In addition to European languages, these included Arabic, Bulgarian, Kurdish (Kurmanci and Sorani), Persian (Farsi), Romanian and Serbian. The translators' creativity was particularly in demand for posters and social media campaigns. For example, when it came to translating catchy slogans into other languages.
New sections for our website: FAQ and glossary
We have added two new sections to our website in 2021. Our FAQ: Here we provide answers to the most frequently asked questions about interpreting and translating.
And a glossary: Here we explain the most important technical terms used in interpreting and translating. We hope that these two new sections will give interested parties a better insight into the work of interpreters and translators.
Subtitling and written interpreting
Subtitling and simultaneous translation of videos is becoming increasingly popular. The translator must bear in mind that the space available to him is limited (two lines with a maximum of 35 characters each) and that the translation is only displayed for a limited time. During this time, a reader with an average reading speed must be able to grasp the content.
The translator should also ensure that the subtitle matches the content of the images (timing) and that sections of meaning are not split (between the individual lines). Summarising the content without distorting it and without falling into the dreaded telegram style is no easy task.
Customers should be aware that subtitling videos in a foreign language is very time-consuming, with the time required depending on many factors: sound quality and background noise, speaker articulation, speaker dialects, speaker speaking speed.
Live subtitling at events is also possible with written interpreters. Written interpreters transcribe the spoken word verbatim or in summarised form at the same time as the speaker, if possible. Written interpreters use special software for this purpose. The written word can then be used for subtitling or for hearing-impaired event participants, for example. As a rule, written interpreting does not involve translation into another language. For example, the spoken German is written down in German, but not simultaneously translated from the spoken German into, for example, written English.
AMPO International e.V.
This year, as in previous years, SIMCONSULT is making a donation (instead of Christmas presents for customers) to AMPO International e.V. AMPO International e.V. is a recognised charitable organisation that has set itself the task of giving young people, children and adolescents in need in the West African state of Burkina Faso a perspective on life.
We would like to thank you for your interesting enquiries and orders this year and wish you and your families a happy festive season and a peaceful, healthy and successful 2022.
Best regards from your SIMCONSULT team