Whisper Interpreting

This is where the simultaneous interpreter is allocated to a small group of individuals, and interprets what is being said simultaneously in a whisper, this privileges that the professional interpreter does not interfere with the conference’s or meeting’s proceedings. Because it is so non-intrusive, this type of interpreting is becoming increasingly popular by the day. In whispered interpreting, the interpreter practically provides simultaneous interpretation without the use of technical equipment.

Whisper interpretation represents involves a number of techniques those similar to ones used in simultaneous interpreting but as mentioned no equipment is needed to perform this translation mode. The interpreter sits or stands next or behind the group listening to the source-language and simultaneously whispers his interpretation of the subject matter on hand. His audience may be as small as one individual listening to the interpretation or as many as four but not more than that, since the speaker’s sound may cause distortion in the background.

This mode is mainly used when a few people need the interpretation service and is not recommended if the audience exceeds four or when several interpreters need to work at the same time in the same room. A team working in this mode requires at least two interpreters since this technique is hard on both the brain and the vocal chords; it is convenient and effective in rather short meetings.

Whisper interpretation is similar to Conference and Escort interpretation since the process is delivered in real-time and involves the re-articulating the original speech to the target audience language in a whispered voice, thus making it more suitable for small target audiences (3 to 4 individuals). Whether it is a conference or an event whisper interpretation becomes the solution where booths are unavailable or where it is only a small audience that does not understand the source language.

This mode can also be using simple low cost wireless employed to accommodate a bigger audience. Where listeners wear headphones, just as in a large conference and the interpreter provides his utterance in a wireless microphone. The demands made on the interpreter in terms of concentration are comparable with those of normal simultaneous interpretation yet he no longer needs to sit or stand behind his audience.