Contact us or visit our Kraków office at ul. Cystersów 9
Contact us or visit our Kraków office at ul. Cystersów 9
Interpreting is a great help when a large number of speakers of different languages need to be reached at a single event. Several types of such interpreting have developed over the years. Some use modern technology to make the job more efficient, while others are technically simpler – but by no means easier. Whispered interpreting, also known as chuchotage, falls into the latter category. As the name suggests, the interpreter delivers the translation in a low voice to his or her audience, often a single recipient – this type of interpreting is often chosen when there is a need to interpret for a special guest at a meeting of any kind. Using an interpreter makes the guest feel more confident, and the interpreter not only translates other people’s speeches specifically for him or her, but also accompanies him or her throughout the event.
Whispered interpreting is a form of interpreting which, like simultaneous interpreting, does not require the speaker to be interrupted. It is done simultaneously, with a slight delay of a few seconds. A special feature of whispered interpreting is that it does not require any special equipment. The translated speech is transmitted directly to the listeners in the immediate vicinity of the interpreter. He or she speaks to one or more people in a low voice – so as not to distract anyone nearby. This type of interpreting is particularly demanding for the interpreter. Why is this? The interpreter has no aids such as dictionaries, no technical equipment, no notes and no replacement. There is also no way of interrupting the speaker or repeating parts of the speech. Excellent knowledge of the source and target languages is therefore not enough for this type of assignment. A professional interpreter must also be culturally aware of both audiences, have extensive professional experience, be stress-resistant, highly focused, quick to react and creative in his or her thinking.
Fill in the short form or send an inquiry to the Customer Support and you will receive a reply within 15 minutes.
Whispered interpreting is often seen as a special form of simultaneous interpreting, but the two forms have a lot in common. Firstly, the interpreting takes place in real time. In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter sits in a soundproof booth equipped with a headset and a microphone. From there, his or her voice is transmitted directly to the headsets of the entire audience, allowing them to understand the speaker and even take part in the discussion. Whispered interpreting aims to achieve almost the same thing, but this method is used with a smaller audience. The interpreter is in the same room as the speaker and the audience. He or she speaks in a low voice to a small foreign audience. Everything is done in such a way that there is no distraction for the speaker and the other participants. This is a cheaper and less organisationally demanding method that works better for more intimate meetings.
We have already described the differences between whispered and simultaneous interpreting. Consecutive interpreting, on the other hand, does not take place simultaneously with the original speech. The speaker pauses from time to time to allow the interpreter to repeat his or her last few (and sometimes a dozen or more) sentences in the target language. This is slightly more comfortable for the interpreters as it allows them to take notes and gives them a moment to prepare and collect their thoughts. However, this method of interpretation significantly increases the length of the meeting, which can be not only inconvenient, but in many cases impossible. For practical reasons, we encourage our clients to describe the planned meeting or event and their expectations in detail. On this basis, we will advise on the best form of interpretation to ensure the comfort of all participants and efficient organisation.
Whispered interpreting is often chosen because of its more attractive price compared to traditional simultaneous interpreting. It is a particularly attractive option when only one person needs interpretation into a foreign language. In such a situation, it is much more cost-effective to hire a single interpreter – in a booth, interpreters need to change every dozen minutes or so, so at least two interpreters are needed. Whispered interpreting is much easier to organise. This form of simultaneous interpreting is most often used when there is only one or a few foreign guests – the interpreter can then accompany them throughout the event and possibly also translate their speech for the majority of participants. This is ideal for business meetings and negotiations, especially if they take place in a small, intimate group.
At Alingua, we work with thousands of interpreters from all over the world, and thanks to our extensive network of professionals, we can provide you with whispered interpreting in many different languages. We are available wherever you need our interpreting services – at conferences, trade shows, symposia, major international events, as well as at intimate meetings and in offices. We also offer the services of our sworn interpreters – their presence guarantees the certification of the translation and gives legal force to the issues raised. The price for whispered interpreting is always set individually on the basis of specific information provided by the client. Feel free to contact us by email or using the enquiry form – we will get back to you with an initial quote within 15 minutes of your message being sent. If you have any questions or doubts, please contact our Customer Service Office – our staff will be happy to help and advise you.
ISO 9001ISO 9001 certification provides evidence that Alingua applies certified procedures to ensure consistent high quality of its translation services.
TechnologyThe use of CAT tools and AI-powered solutions helps control work organisation, streamlining the translation process.
90 languagesWith 15 years of experience working with texts from all over the world, you can be assured of language support no matter your needs.
Sample translationsIn the case of larger projects, clients can request a sample of text translated by several different translators in order to choose a style most suited to their expectations.
Customer satisfactionIn-house statistics from the last two years show customer satisfaction at 99.7%.
Professional liability insurance coverYour translations are protected by an insurance cover of up to PLN 300,000.
MembershipThe Alingua Translation Agency is a member of a number of industry-specific organisations which aim to maintain the highest quality of translation services in the world of advancing technology and growing expectations.
Foundation1% of the value of our projects is donated to Alingua Helpful Word Foundation (Fundacja Alingua Pomocne Słowo). Each submitted order helps those in need.
