Consecutive or simultaneous interpreting: how not to overpay and not to derail the meeting

"We need a simultaneous interpreter for a two-person negotiation" is a frequent request, and behind it there is usually an overpayment of several times over. Simultaneous interpreting is more expensive, requires equipment, and needs at least two interpreters per shift. For a meeting of 3–6 people, consecutive interpreting is almost always enough, and it is also more accurate on legal and technical detail.

When consecutive is enough

Consecutive interpreting: the speaker pauses every few sentences, the interpreter renders what was said. It fits negotiations, meetings at a notary or lawyer, accompaniment at a property viewing or a factory, job interviews, medical consultations, small working meetings, marriage registration, and transactions at state authorities. There is one downside — the meeting runs one and a half to two times longer. The upsides — no equipment needed, one interpreter is enough, and accuracy is higher because the interpreter has seconds to think about the wording.

When simultaneous is needed

Simultaneous interpreting is needed when pauses are impossible: a conference, a large seminar, a court hearing with several participants, a presentation to an audience, a multilateral meeting on a tight schedule. Two interpreters work in a booth, switching every 20–30 minutes, plus equipment — a fixed booth or a "tour-guide" set for offsite events. Do not economise on the second simultaneous interpreter: after 40 minutes of continuous work, quality drops for anyone, however experienced.

How to word the request to the agency

State: how many participants and in which languages, the format (negotiation table, hall, offsite visit), the duration, the subject, and whether there are materials for preparation. On that basis the agency will propose a mode and cost the job. Do not order simultaneous "just in case": for small formats it is also physically awkward — headphones and a booth between two people at a table get in the way of direct contact.

And in any mode, give the interpreter materials in advance: the agenda, presentations, a list of participants with positions, specific terms and abbreviations from your field. A prepared interpreter saves you both meeting time and money.