Glossary of Interpretation Terms

FEE

Fee refers to the amount the interpreter is paid for his or her interpretation services during the conference. In international organisations the fee is established in the relevant Agreement. In the private market sector, the fees are negotiated between the interpreter and the client.

RETOUR

This describes an interpreter working from his or her A language into his or her B language.

Travel allowance

Money paid to interpreters as compensation for travel time from the professional address to the conference venue. In the agreement sector, these allowances are governed by the relevant contract. In the private market sector, they are negotiated between the interpreter and the client.

BIDULE

Bidule refers to a mobile interpretation kit of just microphone and earpieces, so interpretation can take place without the usual equipment. This system is limited by its lack of sound insulation and is only useful for small and short meetings where it would be impractical to install interpreting equipment, such as a factory visit. The same system is used in guided tours.

Language combination

It refers to the languages from which and/or to which an interpreter translates. The linguistic combination can be described in various ways. One way is to list language pairs "from - to" (for example, "from English to Greek"). Another way is via the A-B-C system that sorts the working languages of an interpreter into A (mother tongue), B (retour) and C (passive). 

Language A 

Language A is the interpreter’s mother tongue (or its strict equivalent) into which he/she works from all other working languages in both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.

Language B

Language B refers to the language the interpreter knows fluently, but is not his/her mother tongue. An interpreter can work into this language from one or more of his/her other working languages. Therefore, this is also an active language.

Language C

Language C refers to a language the interpreter fully understands but does not translate into. The interpreter, therefore, works from C into all his/her active languages (A or B). For this reason, the C languages are called passive languages.

WEB STREAMING / WEBCASTING

Live or recorded broadcasting on the Internet of audio-visual content may offer the option to listen to interpretation into one or several languages. Interpreters have intellectual property rights when their interpretation is web streamed.

Consecutive interpreting

The interpreter (usually in the same room as the speaker) takes notes while listening to a speech and then renders it into the target language. AIIC interpreters are trained to faithfully reproduce speeches consecutively lasting even up to 20 minutes. However, usually in long speeches, the speaker pauses to allow the interpreter to render what has already been said.

Copyright

Interpretation may not be recorded without the express consent of the interpreters. In the private market sector, depending on the purpose of the recording (i.e. whether for commercial or purely administrative reasons), additional payment may be due in line with international copyright conventions.

Distance interpreting 

In distance interpreting (aka remote interpreting), the interpreters are not in the same location as the conference. Conference participants may be all together in the same venue, or they may also be in remote locations, for example in different countries. Interpreters follow the meeting via a screen and console. The recommended practice is to work in an actual booth, known as a remote interpreting hub that meets ISO/IEC standards for sound insulation, dimensions, air quality and accessibility as well as for the appropriate equipment (headphones, microphones). In a remote interpreting hub, the presence of technical personnel ensures both connection stability and professional secrecy.

Equipment

In consecutive interpreting, interpreters mainly need a good memory, a pad of paper and one or more pens that work. 

In simultaneous interpreting, the quality of the interpretation largely depends on the quality of the equipment interpreters work with: layout of the booth, access, ability to see the speakers and the meeting room, headphones, microphones, sound quality, availability and skills of the technician, etc.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is one of the fundamental principles adhered to by AIIC interpreters. They are bound by an unbreakable rule of confidentiality in order to safeguard any information they learn at work from unauthorised disclosure to third parties.

INTERPRETATION Booth

Interpreters provide simultaneous interpretation from a booth where they spend many hours each day. ISO, with AIIC's contribution, has issued standards (for example, ISO 2603 for built-in booths and ISO 4043 for mobile booths) that interpretation booths must meet to ensure the best result for participants and the optimal working conditions for interpreters. These standards cover issues such as location, size, sound proofing, visibility, light, sound, equipment, air quality and accessibility.

Interpreter Console

The equipment interpreters use in the booth to regulate the sound on their headsets and select the incoming (source language) and outgoing channels (language spoken by the interpreter).

InteRpretation hub

It is a studio properly equipped to ensure the best possible conditions for distance interpreting. It includes, among other things, soundproof interpretation booths, screens for displaying speakers, quick internet connections, and on-site technical support. 

Code of Professional Ethics

The Code of Professional Ethics is one of AIIC's basic texts. It sets out, inter alia, the three fundamental principles of professional secrecy, professionalism and collegiality.

Note-taking

Note-taking is an essential element of consecutive interpreting. It consists of noting on paper the reasoning and structure of a speech in the form of symbols, simple words and abbreviations in order to help the interpreter remember the contents of the speech. It is not a steno system.

Sign Language

Sign language interpreters interpret between a spoken and a signed language or between two signed languages. Signed languages are natural languages just like spoken languages, and each country has its own, or several. Signed language interpreters frequently work with spoken language interpreters in mixed teams at conferences or at international institutions, such as the European Parliament or the United Nations.

ISO & IEC Standards

With contributions from AIIC, both ISO (International Standardisation Organisation) and the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) have established standards related to interpretation. For example, ISO 2603 sets standards for fixed booths and ISO 4043 sets standards for mobile booths. IEC 60914 sets standards for electrical and audio systems. These standards allow organisers and interpreters from around the world to work with certified equipment and to know what they can expect without last minute surprises.

Contract

AIIC recommends that a written contract be concluded, establishing the working conditions and fees. A contract should contain the following clauses: 

 1. Name of organiser and interpreter
 2. Title, duration, place, and date of the meeting
 3. Languages for which the interpreter is recruited
 4. Technical specifications (mobile or fixed booth, equipment supplier)
 5. Fees and, if appropriate, travel allowance, subsistence and travel expenses, etc.
 6. Cancellation Policy

Consultant Interpreter

Consultant interpreters (in addition to interpreting) act as consultants for conference organisers or potential clients and provide teams of interpreters to them. They also advise clients on how to obtain the best possible match between the conference organiser's needs and the interpreting requirements. 

Agreements with International OrganiSations

AIIC has concluded collective agreements (Agreements) with international and regional organisations that include the terms and conditions of interpreters’ employment and apply to all interpreters, not being limited to AIIC members.

Simultaneous Interpreting

In standard simultaneous mode, interpreters sit in a booth with a clear view of the meeting room and the speaker. They listen to and simultaneously interpret the speech into a target language.  

Tele-conference

The term tele-conference refers to any conference whose participants and interpreters are located at several different venues. The sub-cases range from video conferencing (where only a very small number of speakers are connected remotely while all other participants and interpreters are in the conference venue) to virtual conference (where both participants and interpreters are in different venues). 

Whispering 

Whispering is an interpreting mode whereby the interpreter is seated next to one or two meeting participants and whispers the interpretation of the speech. It is a kind of simultaneous interpreting and is used mainly when only very few people need interpretation. This interpreting mode is also commonly known by its classic French name, chuchotage and does not require the installation of special equipment.