Frequently Asked Questions about remote interpreting RSI Interprefy

Around the globe. We use distributed infrastructure on redundant servers to ensure worldwide coverage and 99.5% uptime. No matter where you are, our cloud-based technology will function flawlessly provided you have a connection to the internet.

The Interprefy platform has near-zero transmission latency. The delay is below 0.2s and is completely unnoticeable, so you don’t have to worry about streaming audio and video across the globe.

Interprefy is ISO 27001-certified for information security management.

Interprefy uses enterprise-grade security to protect events, meetings, conferences from prying eyes (and ears). 

Audio and video streams are encrypted using 256-bit encryption, while two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS or email governs access to the tool.

Yes, for events hosted on Interprefy Connect, Connect Pro, Event or Event Pro, two-factor-authentication can be enabled in the event management interface.

Absolutely. Interprefy can provide interpretation for Zoom meetings directly in the Zoom interface — participants simply select the language they want to listen to from the globe icon on Zoom and interpretation provided by Interprefy RSI technology will start.

Learn more about Interprefy for Zoom here.

Costs vary depending on your event type and needs. Our quotes are tailor-made and several factors are taken into account, including event duration, number of languages required and event size.

Compared to on-site interpretation setups, remote interpreting can save up to 75% in interpreter costs and an average 50-60% on technology.

Much less complicated than having interpreters on-site! Our professional services team will help set up everything and monitor connections during the event. Immediate troubleshooting is also included.

Statistically, there’s a higher chance of a black-out than the internet at a conference site dropping. That said, our devices can use mobile connectivity (4G) if necessary – and the audience can do the same on their phones.

Remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) is the process of remotely interpreting or translating speech from one language to another whilst it’s in progress. You can find out more by visiting our ‘How it Works’ page.

We work with the biggest language service providers (LSPs) in the world to source the best interpreters for events. Through this partnership we are able to provide interpreters for any language, domain or level of expertise.

Absolutely. If you have your own in-house interpreters or a team you have worked with previously who are privy to company-specific jargon, Interprefy will train them.

Simultaneous interpretation is defined by ISO, the International Standards Organisation, as the process of rendering a spoken or signed message into another spoken or signed language, preserving the register and meaning of the source language. Add “remote” to the equation and it is possible for interpreters, speakers and participants to interact from anywhere on the planet. Remote simultaneous interpretation usually involves remote simultaneous interpretation technology, such as Interprefy to provide a virtual interpreter interface and a video conferencing user interface for attendance with a language selector for the audience.

1. Consecutive interpretation
2. Simultaneous or real-time interpretation
3. Whispered interpretation or Chuchotage.

1. In consecutive interpretation the interpreter serves as an intermediary between speakers. interpreters listen to the speech and the speaker pauses, allowing the interpreter to repeat statements in another language. Common areas, where the Consecutive Interpretation technique is used are court hearings, depositions, business meetings and negotiations, medical appointments, tours, informal meetings and other events.

2. In simultaneous interpretation the interpreter renders the interpretation in real-time, while the speaker is still continuing his speech. The interpreter wears a headset in order to listen to the speaker and almost simultaneously render the message into a microphone in a target language. People needing interpretation wear headphones to listen to their preferred language channel. Simultaneous interpretation is often used for virtual and/ or on-site events, such as large conferences, conventions, seminars, panel discussions, press conferences, and other types of social events.

3. In whispered interpretation or Chuchotage the interpreter provides interpretation simultaneously to a small audience of less than four people. In this setting, the interpreter is located close to the audience and whispers the interpretation into their ears. This is often used in bilateral meetings and small settings.

Simultaneous interpretation both in an on-site and in a remote scenario work the same way: The speaker speaks into a microphone. The audio and video signal are transferred through the AV-system to the interpreter, who will listen and watch through his headphones and computing system. The interpreter, who is skilled in interpreting from the speakers' language into a different language, will then orally translate the spoken into a foreign language in real-time, without interrupting the flow of speech. The interpreter speaks into a microphone, and the audience receives the interpreters' audio signal with the translation within fractures of seconds of the speaker speaking.

The main difference between consecutive and simultaneous interpreters lies in the conversation flow and the technique applied. A consecuitve interpreter will interpret speech after the orgiginal speaker has finished speaking or paused, while a simultaneous interpreter will not interrupt the speech flow and interpret the speech in real-time, speaking without any pauses from the original speaker.

Today, essentially four modes of technology-assisted interpreting exist:

• OPI: Over-the-Phone Interpreting
  This class describes technology that provides audio only. Users typically conference in an interpreter who assists with the back-and-forth dialogue with consecutive interpreting.
• VRI: Video Remote Interpreting
  This term describes systems that manage both audio and visual delivery.
• RSI: Remote Simultaneous Interpreting
  This new term describes systems for the delivery of simultaneous interpreting services over the internet. The technology creates a virtual booth where interpreters – who may be in different locations – can pass the microphone back and forth as they interpret the event in real-time.
• MI: Machine Interpreting
  This terms, often also referred to as “spoken translation” involves systems to process speech to text using speech recognition systems and renders the text to speech (TTS) through speech synthesis.

Simultaneous Interpretation is often used for large virtual and/or on-site meetings, conferences, seminars, conventions, multilingual events, workshops, and any other type of event that attracts a large and divers audience. This explains why an intricate audio system, must be used. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, a high increase in demand for remote simultaneous interpretation for virtual events have been registered.

In a multilingual setting, a professional interpreter plays a major role in bridging the gap between the original speaker and the audience. In simultaneous interpreting the interpreter follows a series of guidelines to fulfill his role as a link between audience and speaker: Keeping utterances short; translating impartially and unbiased, following up with the other party if content meaning is not clear, keeping the flow of the conversation steady, and fulfilling a duty of absolute confidentiality.

At Interprefy we exclusively work with conference-level simultaneous interpreters, with a reputable university degree in translation or interpretation and a proven track record of having delivered remote simultaneous interpretation.

Simultaneous translation or interpretation is defined by ISO, the International Standards Organisation, as the process of rendering a spoken or signed message into another spoken or signed language, preserving the register and meaning of the source language.

Simultaneous interpreters need not only practice one skill, but rather focus on performing a skill a large number of times.

To work as an interpreter is a highly demanding job and can be quite stressful. Being an interpreter requires many years of experience, training multiple skills, a lot of discipline and hard work and can be mentally highly challenging. Professional conference-level interpreters often have to deal with emotional or difficult situations and are required to maintain a high degree of professionalism, all whilst speaking in different languages and thinking simultaneously.

Interpreting in real-time is a very mentally exhausting task. In order to deliver high quality interpretation, it is recommended that an interpreter should never work for more than 45 minutes at a time without a break for consecutive interpretation. Simultaneous or real-time interpreting is a even more intense task and guidelines are that interpreters work in pairs and take turns of 20 to 30 minutes each.

In interpreting, shadowing describes a common practice that takes place when a quality assurance evaluator accompanies an interpreter throughout their job activities and observes to evaluate their performance. Subsequently the evaluator will provide feedback to the interpreter or the client on their performance.

Spanish is the language with most demand for interpreting, followed by Mandarin and German.