interpretacion simultánea

We are constantly told about the astounding ability of simultaneous interpreters to switch from one language to another in microseconds and in real-time. People say it’s admirable.

And indeed, conference interpreters are the true invisible heroes of global communication. Their skill in handling languages, their mental agility, and their ability to grasp cultural nuances are truly worthy of admiration.

However, excelling in this field requires much more than being bilingual or multilingual; interpreters must possess a highly specialized set of skills and competencies, developed over years of training and experience in specific sectors.

Here are the competencies we consider most important:

1. Linguistic and Cultural Mastery

The first pillar of a conference interpreter is their perfect command of the languages they work with. But this goes beyond fluency; it involves a deep understanding of cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, and subtleties that can completely alter the meaning of a message. Interpreters must be able to quickly adapt to different syntaxes, grammatical structures, and communication styles, understanding and conveying the tone, intention, and context of what is said—fundamental for ensuring accurate and coherent interpretation.

2. Advanced Cognitive Abilities and Unstoppable Curiosity

Simultaneous interpretation, the most common mode in conferences, is where interpreters listen, process, and reproduce the message in another language simultaneously. This requires extraordinary concentration, memory, and mental agility.

Simultaneous interpretation demands a working memory that allows the interpreter to retain fragments of information while processing and translating simultaneously. This memory must handle precise details, such as numbers, proper names, or technical terms, while still capturing the overall meaning of the speech. On the other hand, mental agility is crucial for making quick transitions between languages, adapting phrases to the cultural context, and resolving linguistic or conceptual problems in real time—even anticipating the speaker’s next words—all while maintaining the fluency and coherence of the original message.

Another essential skill is curiosity, the cognitive drive that fuels a desire to learn more about a topic. The more curious the interpreter, the better they will perform in specific sectors, as they will immerse themselves in the subject matter and seek to research and delve into the topics assigned to them. This curiosity not only enhances their specialization in specific sectors but also allows them to stay updated with the latest trends and terminology.

3. Expressive Mastery

Linguistic mastery must be complemented by an exceptional ability for verbal expression—fluency is undoubtedly a talent. Interpreters must be expressive not only with words but also with the intention and tone of their voice. This enables them to accurately convey not just the content, but also the emotion and emphasis of the original speaker. Here, agility is essential, as they must react quickly and faithfully reproduce the message, maintaining the coherence and natural rhythm of the speech.

4. Sector-Specific Expertise: Field Experience

One of the key factors that differentiates a good interpreter from an excellent one is their specialization and experience in specific sectors. As industries become more complex, the need for interpreters with specialized knowledge has become critical. In our agency, we take pride in having interpreters specialized in key areas. For example, in the medical and pharmaceutical sector, knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures is essential. In this context, a mistake could have serious consequences, so precision is paramount.

Similarly, in the sports field, we segment our interpreters based on their sports subsector specialization, according to their specialization in anti-doping and pharma, the required sports equipment, competition demands, etc. 

5. Technological Skills

Our interpreters are trained not only to handle simultaneous interpretation consoles at in-person events but also to operate multilingual software and platforms for virtual events, enabling remote interpretation. The ability to adapt to new technologies ensures that interpretation is smooth and seamless, whether at an in-person or virtual event.

6. Interpersonal Skills and Absolute Confidentiality

In addition to technical skills, interpreters must be excellent communicators, empathetic, diplomatic and service-oriented. Moreover, they must adhere strictly to confidentiality. Sensitive information discussed in meetings, as well as materials shared for preparation, must be treated with the utmost secrecy. Our agency ensures that all interpreters sign rigorous confidentiality agreements, thus protecting our clients’ information. This, coupled with the use of equipment that guarantees the privacy of information, ensures that no critical information leaks outside of meetings or events.

7. Continuous Improvement

Improvement is a process, it never comes to an end, therefore, it is best that, driven by curiosity and passion for the practice, interpreters constantly seek to improve, be it by documenting themselves, taking on new challenges, training, deepening their knowledge of a sector, in short, actively expanding their practice. Our interpreters are constantly on interpreting assignments, honing their skills and expanding their knowledge.

Finally

This collection of personal, interpersonal, linguistic, and other competencies comes from more than 15 years of evaluating interpreters and linguists across various disciplines, forming the basis for selecting our team. Our conference interpreters bring these skills together with their unique individuality and special contributions. The driving force behind it all is our passion for what we do.