What AIIC does

Interactive showterpreter directory

AIIC makes its online interactive showterpreter directory available to those who organise international events. It is a valuable tool through which it is very easy to find the interpreters needed by using a range of search criteria such as language combination, country or city. 

Recommendations and guidelines

Knowledge, experience and support of seasoned colleagues, with AIIC’s hallmark, not just for interpreters. Find everything you need for any occasion: ranging from model contracts and technical specifications to advice for designers and architects of new conference centers.

AIIC and the conference industry (MICE)

AIIC provides valuable services to the conference industry, carefully listening to users of interpretation services while at the same time informing all associated professions about new trends and challenges. 

Through the events it organises, it identifies the needs and prospects of the sector and addresses issues related to the substance and image of the profession. One of the hot topics it recently addressed was the protection of customer privacy and the use of social media.     

Conference organisers can easily find professional interpreters through the user-friendly Directories of Members and Consultant Interpreters.

Consultant Interpreters 

AIIC established the institution of Consultant Interpreters to help organisers of multilingual conferences manage the linguistic aspects of their event.

A Consultant Interpreter is not only an active AIIC interpreter, but also acts as a reference point for all language-related matters to conference organisers. Consultant Interpreters together with the organisers jointly identify the language needs for an event thus determining the appropriate space and equipment. They help locate the nearest AIIC interpreters and coordinate the interpreters team. They provide assistance in all conference-related aspects, even subtitling or transcriptions. Their experience is key to the success of the event, even in the case of remote interpretation. 

AIIC maintains an online directory of accredited Conference Interpreters.

AIIC and ISO standards

AIIC contributes its knowledge and experience to the development of international standards. In cooperation with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it has developed standards for conference equipment and interpretation services, including for fixed booths (ISO 2603: 2016) and mobile booths (ISO 4043: 2016). The most recent standards relate to simultaneous interpreting delivery platforms (ISO/PAS 24019:2020) and conference interpreting services (ISO/DIS 23155).

Technology & Health

AIIC works with universities, researchers and many ISO working groups; it provides advice and implements actions to ensure the best working conditions for conference interpreters, and also informs them about technological innovations relevant to the profession. The Committee on Technology and Health keeps abreast of developments in new technologies and health issues related to conference interpreting. 

AIIC and remote interpretation

AIIC is developing and continuously updating policies and guidelines on new technologies and remote interpretation to ensure that the profession remains ahead of the curve.

Education and life-long professional development

AIIC strives for professional excellence and promotes high standards of education and lifelong professional development. It lays down best practice criteria for Universities offering interpretation studies and organises a wide range of events for conference interpreters and interpreter trainers.  

In order to help prospective students, AIIC maintains an up-to-date directory of interpretation programs around the globe with a detailed description and an assessment of their compliance with best practice criteria.

Interpreters in war zones

The world cannot function without interpreters. However, in war zones or areas of conflict, interpreters are often persecuted or risk life and limb in their line of work. Since 2009, AIIC has been working to ensure a high level of protection for interpreters by championing the cause at the level of governments and international organizations.
 
In collaboration with the International Federation of Translators and RED T, AIIC has issued a Conflict Zone field Guide for Civilian translators/interpreters and users of their services.

Today, interpreters as a professional category are not specifically mentioned in Geneva Conventions and are not protected by a resolution as journalists are. A UN resolution could be the first step in providing protection to interpreters and translators under international law, requiring Member States to prosecute crimes committed against them during conflicts. Please help by signing the petition addressed to the UN Secretary-General: 

https://www.change.org/p/urge-the-un-to-protect-translators-and-interpreters-worldwide

Assisting new interpreters

The VEGA Network offers guidance on best practices to final year conference interpreting students, recent graduates and experienced colleagues, whether professionally trained or self-taught.  VEGA also coordinates a mentoring programme for colleagues who are in the process of joining AIIC. 

With its seminars and workshops, the VEGA network aims to raise awareness of the practical and ethical issues facing conference interpreters. Moreover, it proposes solutions to problems and endeavours to make AIIC and its contribution known to conference interpreters around the world.

The Network spares no effort to contribute to the shaping of the profession of conference interpreting and of AIIC through guidance and support. In addition, it encourages conference interpreters to act as professionals, while upholding ethical and moral standards.

Sectoral Pension Funds

AIIC members set up pension funds so that interpreters can save for their retirement.