E-ging Solutions is a world-leading Shanghai translation company with specialties in interpretation.
Until
very recently, conference interpreters worked exclusively in conventional
settings, such as meeting rooms and convention halls,and all participants
(client, audience,and interpreters) were in the same venue. However, with
improved and more reliable high-speed Internet and the development of telephone
conferencing centers and web conference applications, we are now at a turning
point where conference interpreting is feasible remotely from just about
anywhere via webcast interpreting.
A webcast is a multimedia presentation streamed over the
Internet, broadcasting audio and video content to many simultaneous
listeners/viewers. Webcasts can be streamed live (simulcasts) or be available
ondemand. Webcasts are made possible because of web conferencing services,which
allow conference events to be shared. These events are called webinars when
referring to more interactive presentations and online workshops.Oftentimes,
webinars and webcasts also include a telephone component inwhich listeners can
access the presentation by dialing into a local number and listening to the
audio feed from the event. This is made possible by telephone conferencing
systems. Close proximity to speakers is not necessary in order to interpret for
these events because they make use of Internet protocol-based technology.
Webcast interpreting is slightly different from video remote
interpreting (VRI), a video telecommunication service that uses devices such as
web cameras or videophones to provide sign language or spoken language interpreting
services. In traditional VRI, interpreters are seen,whereas in webcast
interpreting theyare mostly heard.
Best practices in webcast interpreting events call for two
interpreters per language and one project coordinator/manager. Just like at
face-to-face events, conference interpreters working simultaneously will take
turns and have rest periods. The difference here is that the interpreters are
generally physically remote to the event and to each other, so the fact that
the interpreters are not in the same booth will require more coordination
between them in order to achieve seamless turn-taking.
Many web conferencing systems,such as Adobe Connect3 and
Webex,4 have a chat window in which interpreters can communicate with each
other regarding terminology questions, sound quality and volume checks, and the
coordination of breaks and turn-taking. For example,this technology allows me
to work from Colorado, whereas my booth mate is in Texas, and our project
coordinator/manager is in New Jersey.
The project coordinator/manager should not only interface
with the client and request materials in advance,5 but also monitor the
incoming and outgoing sound, sound quality, and volume in a conference,just as
a sound technician would. Similarly to the interpreters, the project
coordinator/manager can also be remote to the client site and use the chat
window to send instant messages to the interpreters.
