In Simultaneous Interpreting the presenter speaks, and the interpreter sits in a nearby isolated booth, listening on headphones. Each language has their own booth, for example: the French booth, the Spanish booth, the Mandarin booth. All booths have a view -direct or on a screen- to the room ("the floor").

Simultaneous Interpreting has traditionally been delivered on-site using ad-hoc equipment. However, it is increasingly being offered remotely these days, with excellent results. The interpreter then works from his home or office using an RSI - Remote Simultaneous Interpreting - virtual console that replicates the equipment on-site.

On-site interpreting equipment is usually provided by a contractor company that brings and assembles portable booths and consoles. Some venues already have built-in interpreting facilities (an immediate example is the UN General Assembly, but also more humble venues as well). We will need:

- A soundproof booth with a desk, a light and power.

- Two identical interpreting consoles with microphone and headphones. The console allows the interpreter to switch their mic on and off, and to choose whether to listen to the speaker directly or to an interpreter of another language. They can also select a channel to speak into, according to the language they will speak in.

Remote Simultaneous Interpreting is done online on a website with a RSI virtual console. No apps are needed. We will need:

- A private room with a desk and a light.

- A computer with reliable internet connectivity, and headphones with a microphone. A second screen is recommended, so as to be able to visualise the floor and have any written reference material on screen at once.

- A link to access a virtual console. There are several brands, but the principle is basically the same: to emulate the traditional physical set-up. When event organisers were unable to provide a virtual console, The B-Lab has successfully used the  interpreting feature of meeting platforms like Zoom, or two parallel channels at once on MSTeams.

Interpreting simultaneously is a highly demanding intellectual activity that requires:

- Academic command of their mother language.

- A near-native level of proficiency in a second language.

- Familiarity with different regional accents in both their languages.

- Clear diction that can be widely understood across the different regions that speak that language (i.e. a Scottish interpreter will make an effort to be understood by an audience in Texas; a Moroccan interpreter must be understood by Arabic-speakers from the Lebanon; an interpreter speaking Spanish must make sure they use a neutral form that will be widely understood).

- A vast and varied vocabulary with idiomatic expressions, everyday acronyms, names of places, demonyms - you name it - in both their languages, and a solid understanding of registers.

- General knowledge covering a wide variety of topics. Absolutely any topic may come up in the booth at any time, so a good interpreter is well educated: they read, listen and are constantly exposed to fresh material in both their languages.

- Ideally, prior knowledge of the particular subject for interpretation, including names that will be said. Access to the speaker's own material, slides and text is great help.

Given the pace and demand of simultaneous interpreting, interpreters at day-long jobs usually work in pairs, switching every 20-30 minutes, to have a rest from the pressure of the job. However, passive interpreters are still fully at work during their partner's turn at the microphone: they assist with terminology, numbers, finding reference material and providing general back up to the active interpreter on the face of any eventuality. Good partner communication highly contributes to the quality of the interpretation.

There are a few reliable options for the communication of booth partners not sharing a physical space. Virtual consoles contain a feature to request hand over, and an built-in chat feature with common pre-written messages. 

At The B-Lab, the bulk of the talk between virtual booth partners is conducted on a back channel, like WhatsApp or Telegram, fully independent from the virtual console. Interpreters hold a silent video call during the entire duration of the assignment, and use pre-agreed hand signals for hand-overs (switching) and messages.

Language proficiency is only a part of the game. Professional interpreters must manage strategies to render a message into another language accurately and reliably. 

This involves skills in delivery techniques gained through a university course, diligent self study and purposeful practice over several years. The work never stops.

A good interpreter doesn't translate words; they work with a unit of meaning. Only then they can they deliver a message that is faithful to the original, clear and complete. 

An interpreter must train their skills to lag behind the speaker, catch a unit of meaning and then start relaying. In this way, they will avoid false stops and getting entangled in vocabulary and grammar. The key is to deliver ideas, a point, essentially meaning, in their own language and their own words and reduce the risk of getting stuck in a challenging word or expression. 

Mastering interpreting skills requires practice, and practice requires time and dedication. At The B-Lab we have done the work to ensure that we are fully equipped when the mics go live at each event.