7 types of interpretation you have to know

Interpretation has constantly been evolving depending on organizational needs. Unlike translation, which focuses on written communication, interpretation is all about verbal communication.

The three basic interpretation modes are simultaneous interpretation (SI), consecutive interpretation, and whispered interpretation. However, modern linguists suggest that there are more than three interpretation modes. Ready to jump into the world of interpreting?

In this article, we cover 7 key types of interpretation you can't miss. Let's start with the two most popular and widely used modes.

Simultaneous interpretation

Simultaneous interpreters translate the speech in their head and deliver it in the target language instantly, with a delay of only milliseconds. It requires immediate comprehension from both the audience and the speaker, since the original speech continues without interruption.

Commonly referred to as conference interpreting, simultaneous interpretation is in high demand mainly because it saves time and engages diverse audiences. Besides large-scale conferences and business meetings, governmental institutions also use this mode to connect meaningfully across language barriers - the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the United Nations among them.

Simultaneous interpretation isn't limited to in-person booths, either. Remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) delivers the same real-time interpreting virtually or in a hybrid setup, with some interpreters working in booths at the venue and others working remotely, all at the same time. It's well suited to governmental sessions, international team meetings, and even subtle negotiations, and platforms like Interactio add live statistics, dedicated support, and event recordings on top of the core experience.

Simultaneous interpreting is the most demanding mode for interpreters. They have minimal time, but that doesn't stop them from matching the speaker's tone and register. As stressful as it looks, in the long term, simultaneous interpretation can help build an interpreter's ability to multitask. The benefits aren't always immediate, but they tend to show up over time.

Consecutive interpretation

The consecutive mode relies heavily on structured note-taking. At on-site events, consecutive interpretation only works if the interpreter stands close to the presenter. While the speaker delivers a speech in their native language, the interpreter listens and stays silent for a few sentences at a time. The speaker then pauses so the interpreter can deliver that segment in the target language.

Because the interpreter and speaker have to take turns, consecutive interpretation stretches out event duration and can reduce audience engagement. That's a key reason it has lost some ground to simultaneous interpreting.

To keep the audience engaged, consecutive interpreters lean heavily on short-term memory. After reading back their notes, it takes a lot of practice to deliver the message concisely. Active listening plays a big role here too, though it's a different skill from a regular conversation - a consecutive interpreter's goal is to remember and reproduce meaning with the highest possible accuracy, a skill that takes years to master.

What's the difference between simultaneous and consecutive interpretation?

In short: a consecutive interpreter waits for a pause or break in the speech, usually at the end of a sentence or a completed idea, before interpreting - while a simultaneous interpreter delivers the interpretation live, with no waiting involved. Simultaneous interpreting is generally the better fit for large events like conferences and meetings.

Whispered interpretation

Whispered interpretation is also called chuchotage (French for "whispering"). A whispered interpreter processes the message in their head and quietly relays it to the client, leaning in and speaking in the client's preferred language in a low voice. Like simultaneous interpreting, it carries the challenge of doing everything at once: listening, understanding, translating, and delivering the message simultaneously.

It works well for smaller meetings but is hard to picture at large-scale events like conferences - imagine 300 delegates at a governmental session each with their own whispered interpreter. The result would be chaos, with 300 interpreters and 300 clients all whispering at once.

Relay interpretation

Relay interpretation is the best option when no interpreter is available for a particular language pair. For example, if no Finnish-to-Latvian interpreters are available, a mediating process can take place: a Finnish interpreter interprets the speech into a more commonly spoken language, such as English, and a second interpreter then delivers English-to-Latvian interpretation, covering the rarer language combination.

Relay interpretation requires precision and tight synchronization, and interpreters can do it either simultaneously or consecutively. The main downside is added delay - on average, relay interpretation takes longer than any other mode.

Liaison interpretation

Liaison, as a process, describes a close working relationship between people or organizations. It's the most informal mode of interpretation and can be somewhat less precise than consecutive interpretation, since word-for-word interpreting isn't required.

The main goal of liaison interpreters is to build connections during small meetings or business negotiations when clients don't share a language. Also known as dialog interpretation, it typically takes place between two to four clients. Liaison interpreting focuses on fostering relationships and productive negotiations rather than capturing the essence of every word - which is also why it's the least precise of the interpretation modes.

Travel interpretation

Travel interpretation (also known as escort interpretation) stands apart from the others in a distinctly cultural way. A travel interpreter accompanies the client to an agreed destination and helps them navigate the language barrier throughout the trip.

Travel interpreters handle language A-to-B interpretation and frequently take on the client's administrative tasks during the trip too. That's why clients choose travel interpreters based on more than language skills alone - personality, cultural knowledge, and familiarity with the destination all matter.

Over-the-phone interpretation

Over-the-phone interpreting (OPI) is one of the remote interpretation services, with providers typically operating across more than 100 languages. Governmental institutions often use OPI for healthcare or public-service matters, particularly in countries like the United States.

That said, OPI has drawbacks: neither the user nor the interpreter can see the speaker, and body language and facial expressions play a large role in interpreting. Call quality and background noise can also get in the way.

Over-the-phone conversations also tend to be short and narrowly focused - they usually don't go deep into a topic. When they do need to, OPI often isn't the best choice, since interpreters can't pick up on the client's emotions and other non-verbal cues, which can lead to confusion, long pauses, and interruptions on both sides.

A note on naming

These 7 types are sometimes called differently among clients and service providers. Don't worry if you come across a whole different type of interpreting that wasn't discussed here - we're here to keep you updated.