Negotiation and liaison interpreting

In liaison interpreting, the interpreter translates the content of shorter sections of speech into another language with a time delay. Interpreting takes place in both language directions (bilaterally) without technical aids. Liaison interpreting is a form of consecutive interpreting. Interpreting is done in conversational situations, i.e. with a limited number of participants, which is why liaison interpreting is also called liaison interpreting.

 

Areas of application of liaison and negotiation interpreting

Although the name liaison interpreting suggests it, liaison interpreting is not used at court hearings. In so-called court interpreting, what is said is whispered simultaneously to a foreign-language party to the proceedings. The statements of the foreign-language participant in the proceedings are then interpreted back consecutively.

 

The prerequisite for negotiation and liaison interpreting is always a relatively small number of participants.

 

Liaison interpreting is used in various areas: negotiations such as arbitration proceedings, merger negotiations, price negotiations or political negotiations.

 

Other areas of use are work meetings, personnel discussions or interviews. In these cases, the term liaison interpreting is more appropriate.

 

Negotiation and liaison interpreting online (remote)

Negotiation and liaison interpreting is also possible online as a variant of remote interpreting. Since, unlike simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter waits until a segment of meaning is finished, only one audio channel is required. In this respect, any conventional telephone or video conference tool can be used.

 

Advantages and disadvantages of liaison and negotiation interpreting

A major advantage of liaison interpreting is that no technical aids (as with simultaneous interpreting) are required.

 

A serious disadvantage, however, is that it takes twice as long: since the interpreter always has to wait until the speaker has finished speaking in order to then transcribe what has been said into the other language, the time required is doubled.

 

Another disadvantage is the redundancy for multilingual participants: participants who know both the source language and the target language of the interpretation hear the content twice. Occasionally, however, this is also seen as an advantage, as multilingual participants have the opportunity to reflect while the interpreter translates what is being said into the other language.

 

Do you have interpreting needs and are not sure whether liaison or conference interpreting is the right solution? Get in touch with us! We will be happy to advise you.