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TIPS FOR TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT COMPANIES

The prerequisite for a successful meeting is effective communication between stakeholders. One of the most important components of effective communication is the understanding of mutual expectations. At TKTD, we believe that one of the most important stakeholders that enable us to do our job well is the technical equipment companies that understand the importance of booth and equipment standards, invest in their technical staff by training them, and listen to us with sincerity. Below we have tried to explain our main expectations as conference interpreters. We hope that this will be useful for interpreters and technicians who are just starting their careers.

  • The interpretation booth is the “workplace” of interpreters; interpreters may have to work all day under highly stressful conditions and in a limited space.
  • There should be a booth equipped with a headset and a microphone for each interpreter for each language used. Each interpreter should have his/her own volume, treble/bass control.
  • Ensure that the sound reaching the interpreters’ headsets is not only adequate, but also that there is a margin of about 30 per cent.
  • Ensure that the sound reaching the interpreters is free from distortion. (This is especially important when the speaker changes.) Note: The most common causes of sound distortion are saturation of the preamplifier or too high bass.
  • Ensure that only one delegate microphone at a time is switched on during the meeting, unless a second microphone needs to remain switched on for immediate intervention.
  • In large halls where the use of loudspeakers or sound amplification is unavoidable, these should be kept at the lowest setting. If this is not done, participants may not be able to hear simultaneous interpretation through their own headphones. There is also a risk of sound feeding back from the loudspeakers into the microphones. This often results from the hall volume being too high.
  • The booths should be placed in such a way and at such a distance that the interpreter can see both the speakers and the visuals (curtain, screen, etc.) without any obstacles, and if necessary, they should be installed on a high platform.
  • It is essential to ensure that the interpreters are not disturbed by external noises, that the interpreters’ voices do not overflow and that the external sound does not reach the listeners’ ears through the interpreters’ microphones. The interpretation booth must be soundproofed.
  • The booth must have ventilation outlets so that the interpreters can work throughout the day in good health.
  • The booths should have a workbench large enough to accommodate technical equipment, lamps, and documents. There should also be a desk lamp for each interpreter.
  • There should be a socket in the booth for interpreters to charge their computers and other devices.
  • At least one technician should be present in the room throughout the meeting and should continuously monitor the interpretation through headphones. Interpreters only know how to use the interpreting equipment; only specialised technicians know how to install or repair the equipment and solve problems that arise.
  • Prior to the start of the meeting, interpreters should be given the opportunity to check the equipment together with the technicians. During the check, all microphones should be tested, and the technician should listen to the booths through headphones.
  • The systems must have at least two channels to avoid any difficulties and delays for the participants and speakers, especially during the Q&A sessions.
  • In meetings where more than two languages are used, a multi-channel interpreting system with a relay system that allows interpreters in one booth to listen to the interpretation in another booth should be installed.
  • In cases where the event organiser informs the technical team that the interpretation will be recorded, the technical team must inform the interpreters, as this requires permission from the interpreters in accordance with the TKTD Working Conditions.
  • The features of simultaneous interpreting booths and equipment must comply with EN ISO 2603:2016, EN ISO 4043:2016and EN ISO 22259 2019-04 

For more information on interpretation booths or to obtain the standards, see www.iso.org and www.tse.org.tr .

Names and numbers of the standards are as follows:

ISO

ISO 2603:2016 Simultaneous Interpreting – Permanent booths – Requirements

ISO 4043:2016 Simultaneous Interpreting – Mobile booths – Requirements

ISO 22259 2019-04 EN Conference systems — Equipment — Requirements