The set of languages from which or into which
an interpreter can translate. Each language is classified as eitherA, B or C.
A Language
Language that the interpreter speaks and
understands perfectly. Normally a mother-tongue or equivalent. The interpreter
can translate from all his B or C languages into his A language(s).
B Language
Language that the interpreter speaks very well
and understands perfectly. The interpreter can translate from a B into an A
(mother-tongue) and from an A into a B language ("retour"), but not from a C
into a B.
C Language
Language that the interpreter understands
perfectly. The interpreter can translate from a C into an A language (but not
into a B one).
Retour
Translating from an A language (mother tongue)
into a B language.
Relay
Interpreting what another interpreter says. In
a multi-language conference if, for example, only the English booth
understands Greek, when a Greek speaker has the floor, all the other booths
instead of translating directly from Greek translate the English translation
into their respective language. It permits the translation of more "exotic"
languages by all booths but causes a small delay in translation. It may, also,
worsen the quality of the "cascading" translations and should be avoided when
possible.
Passive Languages (of a conference)
The languages the participants of a conference
are allowed to speak.
Active Languages (of a conference)
The languages into which interpreting is
provided during a conference, i.e. the languages the participants may listen
to. They are not always the same as the passive languages because sometimes
there are participants who can listen to, for example, the English translation
but cannot speak English fluently and need to speak their mother tongue
instead.
Consecutive Interpreting
A mode of interpreting where the speaker pauses
from time to time to let the interpreter translate or the interpreter takes
notes and translates the whole speach after it is finished. It is used for
short conferences or briefings and when the necessary infrastructure for
simultaneous interpreting is not available.
Simulataneous Interpreting
Interpreters are in a booth and translate the
speaker while he/she addresses the audience. It is a real-time translation.
Whispering Interpreting
A special type of simultaneous interpreting
where an interpreter is seated near the client and translates whispering while
the speaker addresses the audience. It is used only when there is one or very
few customers.