Guide & checklist: Interpretation facility
In this guide, you can read more about interpretation systems and also see our useful to-do list, which you can use if you are faced with having to hire interpretation systems for your event.
With interpretation equipment, the participants understand each other
If you are faced with having to organize a conference or meeting where interpretation is to be used, this guide can help you. On the following pages, we review what an interpretation system consists of, how it is used, and at the end of the guide there is a checklist of things you can consider when you need to use an interpretation system.
Simultaneous interpretation and whispered interpretation
When interpreting is used in connection with meetings, conferences and events, simultaneous interpretation , remote interpreting (RSI) and whispered interpretation (tour guide system) are the three most used systems. A simultaneous interpretation system consists of many different components and is primarily used at meetings and conferences. Here, the interpreters work in interpretation boxes and the meeting participants use receivers with headphones to hear the interpretation in their preferred language.
All sound is transmitted wirelessly. Simultaneous interpretation systems are set up and operated by specialized interpretation technicians.
Remote interpreting (RSI)
Remote interpreting means that interpreters can interpret for your event over the Internet. There is no need for interpreter boxes. The interpreters use special software and can e.g. interpret for a venue where physical meeting participants are located, but they can also interpret for purely virtual meetings – or as a combination.
AI interpretation
The system for remote interpretation also offers interpretation using AI through synthetic speech. Read more about AI interpretation here .
Tourguide system
A tour guide system is a much simpler system consisting of a portable charging case with wireless receivers (stethosets) and a wireless microphone . The system is used if the interpreter e.g. needs to provide interpretation for a smaller group or act as a tourguide.
Simultaneous interpretation system
A digital BOSCH simultaneous interpretation system can provide interpretation in up to 31 languages, as well as the sound from the presenter (floor). In doing so, it handles even the most demanding international conferences where many different nationalities are gathered. However, it can also easily be used in the small meeting, where you just need to interpret between two languages. The equipment generally consists of:
• Interpreter boxes for the interpreters
• Interpreter microphones with headphones
• Receivers with headphones
• Projectors
• APS Control Unit
Simultaneous interpretation facilities consist of
Recipients
Headphones
Interpreter desk
Interpreter Booths
Radiators
APS Control Unit
Recipients
Conference or meeting participants use wireless receivers that can receive up to 31 language channels. The meeting participants choose the channel on which their language is interpreted (language signs with channel number are mounted on the interpreter booths).
Headphones
Headphones are used by both interpreters and conference participants. The interpreters hear the language they are to interpret from and the participants the language they are being interpreted into.
Interpretation microphones
Interpreter Booths
Radiators
APS Control Unit
Microphones for participants (with or without channel selector)
At larger conferences, conference microphones are often used for the conference participants. However, these can also easily be used for smaller meetings. The microphones are placed on the tables in front of the conference participants. Note that these can be supplied with and without a channel selector. With a channel selector, they can also be used to listen in on the interpreted languages, just like when using our receivers.
This is how the interpretation system works
Planning the use of simultaneous interpretation facilities
Since simultaneous interpretation systems take time to install, the planning phase before the setup is essential. We would recommend that you either hold a site inspection with us, unless we are already familiar with the room specifications. If site inspection is not possible, one can also plan the placement and use of the simultaneous interpretation system using detailed drawings of the rooms in which it is to be used.
We then prepare overview drawings showing the location of the interpreter booths etc. In this phase, it is also very important to have determined the exact number of languages to be used, as well as the number of conference participants.
In addition, you must order the interpreters that are necessary for the interpretation you want. Here it must be remembered that normally two interpreters must be used per language per interpretation box.
Setting up the simultaneous interpretation system
AV technicians usually set up the system the day before it is to be used. For conferences outside Denmark, shipping time for the equipment should be accounted for. It can also be set up on the day itself if it is a smaller set up. The set-up itself consists of the technicians assembling the interpreter booths. These are often placed on a series of podiums to ensure that the interpreters have a good view of the speakers. Receivers and headphones are placed at the participants' seats (alternatively handed out at the start of the meeting by our AV technicians or others involved). In addition, all the necessary cables are installed and the radiators are set up. The system is programmed and tested and is ready for use.
Dedicated interpretation technicians will operate and ensure that the interpretation system works properly throughout the event.
Taking down the simultaneous interpretation system
After a successful conference, the system is taken down. If audio or video recordings have been agreed with the supplier, these will be handed over to the customer.
Interpretation system in combination with other equipment
Simultaneous interpretation system is usually only part of the AV equipment used during meetings and conferences. Therefore, it will often be included in setups where microphone systems are used (see conference microphones above), wireless headset microphones, large-screen projection, sound systems, camera production, etc. It is therefore important to clarify whether other AV equipment must be ordered or whether it is possibly already AV on the location of the event. It is also important to determine who will be responsible for operating this additional equipment.
Flat screens in interpretation boxes
Sometimes there is no space for interpretation boxes in the rooms where the meeting is to be held. However, this does not prevent the use of simultaneous interpretation facilities. Here, instead, the interpretation box will be placed in an adjacent room and flat screens will be installed in the interpretation box. A camera feed from the meeting room is supplied to these screens and the interpreter can then follow along, just as if he were in the meeting room. Note that this solution requires camera production from the meeting room itself to the flat screens in the interpretation box.
Remote interpreting (RSI)
Teletech also rents out a system where it is possible for interpreters to interpret for your event without the use of interpreter boxes. Here, interpreting is done via the internet for your venue or your online/virtual meeting arrangement or hybrid arrangement.
Checklist for renting interpretation equipment
- What is the time and place of the conference or meeting?
- Which languages must be interpreted between?
- How many conference/meeting participants must be interpreted for and how many participants are there in total?
- Are there sound systems and microphones in the room?
- Should speakers use a wireless headset microphone or e.g. speaking from a lectern?
- Should a wireless handheld microphone be used for questions from the audience?
- Should participants be able to speak into dedicated microphones from their seats?
- Should a panel table be used on stage with panel microphones? How many?
- Do you want sound from the floor or the interpreted channels to be recorded?
- Are the premises suitable for the use of interpretation systems and is there space for interpreter booths? (We can advise).
- If possible: What is the size of the room and the height of the ceiling?
- Should podiums be used under the interpreter boothes so that the interpreters have a better view of the room?
- Are interpreters booked?
Tourguide system
The system consists of:
• Charging case with receivers/headphones
• Handheld or beltpack microphone
A tourguide system consists of:
Charging case
The stethoscope
Microphone
Headset microphone
Charging case
Charging case with between 10 and 20 headphone units and microphone. If more than 20 participants need to be interpreted, several suitcases can be rented.
The stethoscope
The stethoscope has a built-in channel selector. In this way, it works in the same way as the receivers and headphones used in a simultaneous interpretation system.
Handheld microphone
Wireless handheld microphone used by the interpreter. If two interpreters need to use the facility at the same time, several microphones can be rented.
Beltpack microphone with headset
If a headset microphone is preferred, this can be chosen instead of a hand-held one. The Beltpack is fixed, as the name suggests, in the belt and from here a small cable goes up to the headset, which has a very small weight.
This is how the whisper interpretation system works
Planning to use a tourguide system
However, it is always a good idea to order the tourguide system well before it is to be used, as the systems are often rented out. When the system has been booked Teletech will deliver the tourguide system to the customer. However, it is also possible to pick up the system at our premises.
Setting up and using the tour guide system
All you need to do is set the channel on which to interpret and distribute the receivers to the meeting participants. A guide on how to use the equipment is included in the case. If you are unsure of how to use it, our technicians can also adjust the system before it is delivered. The system is then ready for use.
Dismantling the system
Units and microphones are simply placed in place in the charging case and delivered to Teletech or we collect it.
Teletech can help you
For more than 30 years, we have supplied equipment and interpretation systems for national and international meetings, conferences and events.
Our technicians are well trained and are responsible for setup and operation.
If you have any questions or want to book AV or interpretation solutions, you are welcome to contact us today at +45 4492 9800
Rent AV equipment & Interpretation system
Teletech is a total supplier of AV and interpretation solutions. Therefore, contact us if you want to rent AV equipment or an AV solution. We offer, among other things,
Microphone systems, live streaming production, flat screens, projectors, projection screens, LED walls, light and sound equipment, voting systems or interpretation solutions, etc.
Telephone No.+4544929800