Traditional (consecutive and simultaneous) conference interpreting takes place when the actors of the interpreted event (speakers, moderators, listeners, interpreters, technicians, and organisers) are all present in the location where one or more languages are spoken and interpreted. The presence of interpreters is essential for the correct interpretation of the speech and non-verbal communication. This is particularly important in simultaneous interpreting, where the interpreters have to be able to help each other in the booth during interpretation.

In exceptional situations, when the participants of an event (meeting, conference, seminar, etc.) are not in the same place, we talk about distance interpreting. When even the interpreters are in different locations and deliver simultaneous interpretation through interpreting platforms, we describe this as remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI). This type of interpreting can be delivered from an interpreting hub, where all interpreters or at least the interpreters of one language team (are in the same place, or, in extreme situations (healthcare crises where interpreters are not allowed to sit in the same premises, natural catastrophes whose consequences make this impossible, etc.) from their own (business or private) premises, where each interpreter is in a different location.

Distance interpreting is based on the use of technical facilities that have a significant effect on the transfer of sound and visual signals, and, consequently, on the quality of the interpretation, the success of the conference, and the interpreters’ health. Its application is, therefore, recommended only in exceptional situations and for the shortest possible duration. Remote simultaneous interpreting from an interpreting hub allows interpreters to transfer the responsibility for possible technical difficulties, acoustic isolation, and data confidentiality to the owner of the interpreting hub. Such interpreting is a better solution than remote simultaneous interpreting from one’s own premises, where the interpreters must take care of the technical and organisational aspects (e.g. procuring equipment, arranging the premises where the interpreting will take place, securing the transfer of sound, etc.), which exposes them to the risk that the other actors will consider them co-responsible for these factors, unless the interpreters have included a disclaimer in the agreement.

Working conditions

Regardless of the place and type of interpreting, interpreters must always respect the general professional conference interpreting standards even when they are interpreting at a distance.

Due to the increased cognitive load and fatigue compared to traditional conference interpreting, distance interpreting is always and without exception performed by a minimum of two interpreters for the same language combination, i.e. outgoing channel.

In distance interpreting, the basic billing unit is one working day, with a maximum of four hours of interpreting for two interpreters, and a mandatory break of at least 30 minutes after the first two hours. Assignments lasting between four and six hours, require the recruitment of a third interpreter, while those lasting more than six hours require two teams of two interpreters each.

Breaks and idle time caused by technical issues are counted in the working time and cancelling interpretation as a result of such issues should not justify a reduction in the interpreters’ fee.

Contracting

A conference interpreter draws up an offer and/or concludes an agreement on the provision of distance interpreting which, in addition to the professional conference interpreting standards, states the following:

• the duration of the working day, i.e. of the interpreting and the breaks;
• number of interpreters per language team and their deployment (in the same premises or separated);
• the name of the platform and the interpreters’ location (interpreting hub or, in exceptional situations, their own premises;
• a disclaimer in the event of technical difficulties which may affect the quality of the interpretation, the quality of the sound and visual signal, the quality of the internet connection, unlawful access to data, loss of data, wiretapping and data interception;
• the right of the interpreter to stop interpreting in the event of low-quality or incomprehensible sound or picture;
• the provision on liability for damage to the interpreter’s health;
• possible consent for recording the interpretation and setting an additional fee;
• possible consent for the public broadcasting of the interpretation on the internet or through the media.

Pricing

When pricing distance interpreting, interpreters must consider the following:

• the price of the equipment they purchased at their own expense to adjust to the platform’s requirements;
• the time spent on
  training related to hardware and software solutions (which, in
  traditional conference interpreting, are the responsibility of technicians and IT experts);
• the time spent on testing the equipment prior to the conference;
• damage to hearing and sight due to increased exposure to a poor audio signal and the constant use of the screen to follow the speakers;
• risk of harming one’s reputation due to interpretation problems caused by a poor audio signal;
• the time, travel and accommodation expenses necessary for the interpreter to travel from his or her own professional domicile to the interpreting hub (if the interpreting hub is not situated in the interpreter’s professional domicile);
• the additional recording fee (if the interpretation is recorded);
• the fee for the right of broadcasting the interpretation on the web or through the media (if the interpretation is broadcast);
• the money invested in arranging one’s own premises for distance interpreting (soundproofing, renting or buying business premises in a place away from possible sources of noise, interior design, procurement of a physical or virtual background for video conferences, etc.).

The price of one day of distance interpreting should be at least 20% higher than traditional conference interpreting.

Technical aspects

During a conference, interpreters on each language team, interpreters within the interpreting team, interpreters and technicians, and interpreters and moderators/speakers must be able to communicate. Technical staff who will ensure the correct functioning of the platform and its settings must be available immediately before and during the conference. Interpreters must also be given the opportunity to carry out a technical check (testing the quality of the sound and picture on the platform, with the technicians and the participants) before the start of interpretation, especially in the case of a multilingual conference requiring the use of relay.

If the platform requires the technician to have access to the computer used by the interpreter as an RSI interface to set up the platform, the technician will be able to see all personal and confidential data on the interpreter’s computer (saved documents, downloaded files, search history, private emails, financial data, saved passwords, etc.). Therefore, interpreters are recommended to procure a computer that they will use solely for the purpose of connecting to the platform, while they can use another device for terminology searches and other needs.

Due to fluctuations in sound quality which are very frequent during distance interpreting, the use of an acoustic shock protection device is recommended. It must be kept in mind that damage or loss of hearing may occur not only due to a sudden, uncontrolled increase in sound intensity, but also due to long-term exposure to a low-quality input audio signal. Detailed information regarding this can be found on the following links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/headsets-wont-work-miracles-here-how-digital-sound-gets-caniato
• https://www.hdkp.hr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bilten-HDKP-12.pdf (pages 2 to 5)
• https://aiic.org/company/roster/companyRosterDetails.html?companyId=13280&companyRosterId=26

Interpreters are recommended to acquire information in advance on the minimum technical specifications for the computer, audio and video equipment, software and internet connection, and to obtain proof of conformity with the platform’s technical requirements. Since unpredictable situations occur quite frequently in distance interpreting, interpreters who work from their own premises should have an alternative internet connection, an additional headset and microphone, a backup electricity supply (generator or battery), and, preferably, another space to use in the event of sudden noise that could interfere with the interpretation.

Note: You can download these recommendations as a PDF.