Simultaneous Interpretation and Translation Equipment 101

Hello –

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I have no idea how you got to this website.

Maybe a colleague referred you. Maybe you came from an online search. Or maybe you’re already a customer.

But I’ll bet someone has asked you to research buying language translation equipment for your office, church, school district, etc.

Two years ago, I was in your shoes. My boss in a previous job decided that we needed to buy translation equipment for some conferences that we were running, so she put me in charge of researching what to buy and who to buy it from.

I was nervous.

This was a big purchase and I wasn’t exactly an AV “genius” at the time. So I did what you’re probably doing right now. I fired up Google and started calling around. Everyone had their own systems they wanted to sell me, but it was hard to find out the pros and cons of each, and what was right for our needs.

I ended up wasting a lot of my own time, and the time of sales reps at other companies, who put together quotes for equipment that just wasn’t the right fit for our needs.

You see, translation/interpretation equipment isn’t “one-size-fits-all.”

It all boils down to getting the right gear for your audience, space, event, and budget.

If you’re not careful, you could end up paying for much more than you need, or buying a system that won’t work in your setting.

So that’s why I launched Translation Equipment HQ – to help my customers avoid the same mistakes I once made.

That’s why I put together this guide that has all the info I wish I’d had, all on a single page.

So whether you choose to buy from our company or not, I hope this resource saves you some time in your search and makes your life a bit easier.

If you ever have any questions, or want to develop a custom package (we also carry a lot of gear that’s not on the site yet), just drop me a line here or call Will or Craig at 877-817-.

Key Terms

Translation vs Interpretation:  Translation generally means converting from one language to another, be it in oral or written form. Interpretation is a very specific type of translation that only deals with the spoken word, that happens on the spot, at a conference, meeting, worship service, and so on.

Consecutive Interpretation: Imagine you are in a meeting with some Japanese business associates. You speak a few sentences in English, then you stop and your interpreter repeats those sentences in Japanese so that your colleagues can understand.

This is what’s known as consecutive interpretation. The advantage of consecutive is that it no special equipment is required.  The disadvantage is that it interrupts the natural flow and back and forth of the event.

Simultaneous Interpretation: Imagine you are in a conference and the speaker is talking in French. Using a special set of headphones, you and other audience members are able to listen to a feed of an interpreter who is listening to the French being spoken (this is known as the floor language) and interpreting it into English. This has the advantage of not interrupting the flow of speech, but it requires a specialized set of equipment and a highly skilled interpreter (or pair of interpreters).

Floor Language: This is the language that your presenter or main speaker is talking in. The language that is being translated into is called the “target language” or “translation feed.”  There can be more than one target language depending on the complexity of your setup.

How Simultaneous Interpretation Works

Step 1: The speaker of the floor language talks into a microphone (this is called the floor mic or the floor feed).

Step 2: The floor feed is broadcast (usually wirelessly) to the interpreter, who listens through headphones in a separate location – this is usually in a soundproof booth at the back of the room, or sometimes in a separate room.

Step 3: The interpreter listens to the floor feed and simultaneously speaks into a microphone, which is broadcast wirelessly to the audience, who wear specialized headphones so they can hear the proceedings in their native language.

System Types and the Pros and Cons of Each

Infrared Systems

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Members of the audience listen to the audio feed in their native language using  specialized multi-channel receivers with  headphones.

Some key points about Infrared systems:

• Infrared signals require a clear line of sight to the audience
• Emitters must typically be installed above the audience level and cannot be covered with curtains, drapes, etc
• For larger facilities, several infrared emitters can be used in sequence to increase the range
• Infrared systems are immune to radio interference but sensitive to light interference (eg from very bright or flashing lights)

Medium Range Handheld Digital Systems

FM interpretation systems use radio waves to send the translation feed to the audience.  Members of the audience use multi-channel receivers equipped with headphones so they can listen to the speaker in their native language.

Some key points about these systems:

• The short and medium range systems are light and portable, so you can easily throw the right number of receivers into a suitcase to transport to your next event.
• Transmitters and receivers are sleek and discreet, and won’t interfere with movement – perfect for tour guide or other on-the-go situations
• The multi-channel configuration allows you to easily customize your system to support multiple languages at the same time
• More advanced DigiWave systems from Williams Sound feature interference-cancelling and encryption technology, so that your audio comes through clearly (and privately)
• Their smaller size means that short and medium-range FM systems will have a more limited range (around 250 feet)
• FM signals penetrate walls, and other obstacles so do not require a clear line of sight
• FM systems are immune to light interference so are perfect for both indoor and outdoor use

Longer Range Portable FM Systems

Key considerations:

• The more powerful FM systems are better at canceling out radio interference and offer very high sound quality
• Longer-range FM systems are more component-based meaning they are more flexible and customizable
• Like all FM systems, they are immune from light interference
• Most cost-effective for larger groups
• These systems tend to be portable (you can take them from venue to venue) but not mobile while you are using them (speakers and audience members cannot get too far from the transmitters, which are usually fixed)

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Buy Interpretation Gear

Audience Size: How many audience members require language support? This will determine the number of primary and backup receivers to purchase. Languages: How many languages do I need simultaneous interpretation for? This will have an impact on the type and number of transmitters you will need. Interpreter Location: Where will the interpreter be set up?  At the back of the room?  In a separete room or in a soundproof booth? Portability: How portable do I need my system to be?  All systems are portable, but there is a general trade off between power (ie range) and the degree of portability and ease of setup and take down. Venue: Is there a clear line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver?  If there is no line of sight, then you will need an FM system, as infrared signals cannot penetrate walls or other opaque objects.

Other Helpful Resources

Williams Sound: One of the premier U.S. manufacturers of professional language, assisted listening and other audio equipment. Their site contains a huge assortment of product manuals, how to videos and more.

Interpretation Equipment on Ebay: If we don’t have what you’re looking for your first step should be to contact us directly. Chances are we can get it for you on special order.  But if it’s a piece of equipment that’s out of stock or no longer being manufactured, I’d recommend checking out the listings on Ebay to see if you can find it there.

Language Interpretation on Wikipedia: For a comprehensive overview about live language interpretation, information on new and emerging technologies, and other useful background information, see this article on Wikipedia.

Conference Microphone Systems: The Ultimate Guide: Our primer on push-to-talk microphones for around the table conference settings. Includes key questions to ask yourself, equipment options and more.

Other Questions?

Finally, if you have any questions, if you are looking for a product you don’t see listed here, or if you want to discuss putting together a custom package for your business, please don’t hesitate to call or .

Contact Will or Craig at (877) 817 or

By Will Ward

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If you’re an interpreter who is looking to make the right investments in equipment to ensure that your hard-earned cash isn’t wasted you’ve come to the right place. We’ll provide you with the most comprehensive information on what to buy. As this is a beginner-to-advanced stage guide, let’s begin with the most important terms you need to understand before you buy any simultaneous interpretation equipment Dubai.

Translation Vs. Interpretation:

Legal translation services are simply the process of converting something from one language into the other, whether either text or oral. Simultaneous interpretation services are, however, only applicable to spoken words and can only be done at the moment, whether at a workshop, meeting conference, etc.

Consecutive Interpretation:

This is the case when you have an interpreter who is in real-time at any time. For instance, you’re in a Chinese workshop and you’re speaking only a few words, and the interpreter repeats them in Chinese to the audience. It is not necessary to have any interpretation equipment for this type of interpreter but it can disrupt the flow of conversation.

Simultaneous Interpretation:

Imagine you’re at the Chinese workshop once more, this time as an audience member. It’s a speaker speaking Chinese however, you can hear the speech in English by using a specific set of headphones provided by the organizers. This despite the cost being high, allows for the smooth flow of the speech.

Floor Language:

This is the language that is spoken by the speaker. The one that the legal translation is made into is referred to as”the target” language. There could be multiple target languages depending on the amount your setup can be able to afford.

Systems and Their Types, Their Advantages and Disadvantages

Infrared Systems:

They utilize the same technology that TV remotes do and transmit an interpreted feed to the viewers via invisible light pulses. In this way, people can hear spoken words in their audio with headphones. Here are some important points to help you know more about infrared systems.

• Infrared signals require a clear line of sight for the viewers
• The emitters should be placed above the audience, and they should be exposed to detect signals
• A higher amount of emitters allows for more coverage
• Infrared systems can be sensitive to any light interference; for instance, bright flashlights
• Radio interference isn’t harmful to these systems.

Handheld Digital Systems (Medium Range)

These systems use radio waves to send out the transmission of the translated feeds. The receivers are multi-channel headsets to hear. These are the most important characteristics of digital handheld systems:

• They’re lightweight and can be carried around easily, so you can transport your equipment around without any difficulty
• Contrary to infrared systems receivers and transmitters do not need to be exposed, which is why they’re ideal for people such as tour guides.
• It is easy to customize the system to work with different languages simultaneously using the multi-channel configuration feature.
• The advance digital systems also have interference-cancelling and encryption technology to ensure the confidentiality of speech
• The smaller the size and the less extensive the range.
• The FM signals are easily able to penetrate through walls, therefore no line of sight is required.
• They are not affected by any interference from light, making them ideal for outdoor events.

Long-Range Portable FM Systems

These systems are great for large-scale events since they can easily go over 1,000 feet. However, a higher power consumption means that the machines are less mobile. They can, naturally be moved about, but they’ll require a higher price to set up and remove it. The most important features are:

• They have great sound quality.
• Long-range FM systems for portable use are component-based. This means they can be customized to suit your needs.
• They are invincible to light interference
• Cost-efficient for large-scale audiences
• Although they’re mobile, the listeners and speakers must remain close to the transmitters that are fixed.

5 Things to Consider Before Making a Decision to Invest in Equipment for Simultaneous Interpretation Dubai

1. How many people attending your event require language support? This must be decided before the day of the event to ensure that you purchase the appropriate receivers.
2. How many various languages will need to be simultaneously translated at the time of the event? This will assist you in determining the amount of transmitters you will need to purchase.
3. What is the location where an interpreter will set up his equipment at the location of the event? Are there enough spaces at the rear of the stage? Do we require an audio-proof booth?
4. How portable can this system’s capabilities be? Should it also be mobile or simply mobile? Many systems are definitely mobile, but their size and weight determine the distance you can transport them, so it is advisable to look into this according to your budget and comfort.
5. What is the efficiency of the venue? Do you have enough space to allow for a line of sight between the transmitter and receiver? This will allow you to choose between infrared and FM signals because infrared signals are unable to be used without a line sight.

I hope that this article has given you an in-depth guide on how to select the appropriate equipment for you. This is certainly not an easy task to accomplish as it requires not only a significant sum of money but an enormous amount of study you have to conduct taking into account even the smallest aspects of your target audience.

Another way to ensure you get your simultaneous interpretation equipment in Dubai at the right cost is to constantly look at prices from different vendors. It may take an additional moment, however, you could happen to be lucky and get the equipment for sale at a reasonable cost from one of the vendors.