Interpretation equipment hire
Translation and Interpreting agency TransEurope provides interpretation equipment hire as part of the interpreting service or as a separate service. In other words, you can place an order for the simultaneous interpreting, simultaneous interpreting and interpretation equipment hire, or just interpretation equipment hire on its own.
Many believe that the most important single factor when organising events with simultaneous interpreting is the quality of interpreting, its linguistic delivery and style as well as the interpreter’s knowledge of the subject of interpretation. In our opinion, there are other factors that can influence the comprehension and the perception of the interpreted text; these are some of the other elements that can be often neglected with the emphasis being placed on the process of interpretation itself:
1. Diction of the interpreter and the clarity of his pronunciation.
2. The interpreter’s conduct on stage and execution of the interpretation, his charm and charisma, style of delivery and vocal timbre.
3. The interpreter’s ability to adhere to the set program of the event.
4. The ability of the interpreter to work with the microphone.
5. The quality of the sound and interpretation equipment.
6. The competence and the expertise of the technical personnel.
It is important to consider other technical details of the event. For example, a speaker talking from the stand or the platform will require two microphones on the gooseneck stand – it is often hard to tune them in due to the possibility of feedback that will make it impossible for the audience to hear not just the interpreter, but also the speaker; besides, it would be hard to know what to translate in the first place.
Our translation and interpreting agency ‘‘Transeurope’’ has a separate department in charge of co-ordinating all the issues mentioned above. These are our working principles and practices:
Beginning of the project.
Before looking at the issues relating to the professionalism and expertise of our interpreters and provision of appropriate training, it is important to dwell on the technical aspects of voice delivery.
The work on any project starts with discussion between the client and our manager of all the requirements towards the interpreter as well as towards the interpretation equipment. As a result of this discussion, a list of all technical requirements is compiled. A customer requirements document can be put together electronically using a survey on our website. A client can also come to our office in person or alternatively if required, our specialist can visit the client. Our managers are always happy to give advice or answer any questions beforehand.
Some of the issues need to be covered in the customer requirements documents:
1. The main sound system. It consists of speakers, microphones (wired microphones on the stand or microphones on a table-top/gooseneck stand, a radio microphone system with a head microphone, a lavalier/clip microphone, or a wireless microphone), other sound sources (CD players or computers), a mixing console or an audio production console (a device to control the sound and to plug in the microphones or other sources of sound) and audio signal processing (for example, a speaker will benefit greatly from using a compressor that will make the sound equally loud and ensure high-quality speech intelligibility.
2. Sound monitoring system. It is not always needed at conferences, but we strongly recommend to use it. It consists of monitor speakers aimed at the on-stage presenter, or an in-ear monitor that allows the speaker to hear him/herself properly. Prompts can be also given with the help of radio monitoring.
3. Simultaneous translation system. It consists of sound isolating booths where interpreters are based (the floor language is broadcast to the interpreter who has a microphone and headphones), radio or infrared equipment used to transmit the floor language to the audience with personal receivers, and the necessary number of receivers for the people attending.
It’s important to note that unless you are dealing with cable connections, there is always a possibility of radio interference, signal transmission loss (radio frequency equipment), restricted range of transmission (infrared equipment); it is the responsibility of staff working at the event to ensure that systems are installed and tuned in properly.
4. Multichannel audio recording system. It is required when the recording of the conference will be edited and transferred on to other devices.
5. Teleprompter. These are monitors or display devices installed on the floor that prompt the speaker or the interpreter with an electronic visual text.
6. Video broadcast to the screens in the conference room.
7. Video recording.
8. Live video streaming over the Internet.
The room where the translation takes place is often already equipped with the sound system, and we will be happy to recommend or to rent all the other necessary interpretation equipment. In order to make the process more comfortable and efficient, we will review the possible location of the sound isolating booths, use of multichannel system, time needed for installation and equipment testing, need for rehearsals and other small details. When the sound system is not provided, we will be happy to offer our own sound systems taking into consideration not only the quality of the sound, but also its design or look and transmission of the sound, which is of vital importance in the narrow and long room.
The appearance or the look of the sound equipment is especially important when:
1. The event is recorded on video. The appearance of microphones, colour combinations of the microphones, stands, and wires can be important. A big microphone can block a third of the speaker’s face making it impossible for the photos to be used in promotional materials.
2. In the event of broadcasting there is often an issue of simultaneous installation of the sound systems and screens. It is difficult to find the right location for the screen as it can block the sound system creating reflected, indirect sound and feedback, making the quality of the sound worse and creating its distortion. You cannot block the screens with the sound systems either. We have found a way around it and recommend using innovative products manufactured by Italian company K-array. Its professional acoustic systems are only 5 cm wide, but have excellent acoustic pressure and maintain high quality speech intelligibility.
Management of technical issues during the event.
When you have decided how many speakers will be presenting, what equipment you will need and how many languages will be used for interpreting, we will find out whether the presenters can work with microphones, choose convenient time for rehearsals and a sound check. We will draw up an installation time-table and confirm when all the systems and equipment will be ready for use.
We will not only determine in advance best locations for interpreters’ and sound engineer’s booths, for the portable television studio and for the video broadcasting equipment, but also leave the necessary space to allow the personnel to move freely during the event, decide on the best position to enter the stage and other technical details. A detailed plan is drawn up and the exact number of staff needed during the event is established.
We will then need to tackle any issues connected with comprehension and intelligibility of the speech delivery. As part of the service we carry out:
1. Sound check and technical rehearsal.
2. Rehearsal for the speakers.
3. If needed, training for the presenters.
Sound check is carried out to make sure that the sound system works comme il faut. We need to tune in microphones and monitoring systems depending on how loud the presenter’s voice is. Technical rehearsal is conducted to make sure that the light and video equipment work together with the sound system, that all radio equipment works at the same time and that everything works together in the right order according to the event’s program.
A rehearsal for the speaker is needed to go over the most important parts using all the equipment (sometimes a rehearsal of the whole program is required). The use of video with the speaker’s commentaries and interpretation, changes of speakers and emotional high points are especially important.
After the rehearsal (or sometimes during discussions beforehand) it can become obvious that some of the speakers are not confident using microphones. In this case we offer a 30 minute training in order to equip all the speakers with the presentation skills.
As we have mentioned above, such personal qualities as charm and charisma, appearance, ability to present and style of delivery can be very important. We have a lot of confidence in the professionalism of our own interpreters, if the clients decide to put forward their interpreters; we discuss in advance their stage presence and ability to present. All our interpreters have been trained to use microphones, but it is sometimes difficult to combine interpretation and the ability to present on stage. In this case we recommend using an interpreter as a prompter for a persuasive company representative or a hired show man. A high quality interpretation is delivered professionally and convincingly by a person with an excellent stage presence, charm and charisma with the help of radio monitoring systems.