WHERE WE WORK
AIIC interpreters work wherever there is a need for multilingualism. The only limit is our clients’ imagination!
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From bilateral meetings to mega events, from ministerial buildings and parliaments to conference centres all over the world, our members are everywhere.
Types of events
A distinctive feature of AIIC interpreters is that they are all-rounders. They work at international conferences with 20 languages and thousands of participants as well as bilateral meetings with just two languages. Thanks to their experience and professionalism they can deal with any subject – their tools being excellent preparation and boundless curiosity. Many interpreters work for international organisations, sporting federations, professional associations, trade unions, at international courts and for the media.
Venues
Simultaneous interpretation calls for conference equipment. International organisations have their own conference facilities. Modern congress centres often have built-in interpreting booths and all the audiovisual equipment required for a major event. Private clients may choose to rent a conference centre or use an equipment provider.
An AIIC consultant interpreter can explain the options to you and help you find the most suitable set-up for your event.
Private market
AIIC has negotiated collective agreements governing working conditions at all major international organisations. Events not covered by these institutional agreements are defined by AIIC as private market events. These provide for a multi-faceted and dynamic working environment ranging from business meetings and conferences to product launching events and collaboration with professional associations or NGOs.
While many AIIC interpreters work exclusively for institutional clients or for private market clients, there are many who are active show both sectors.
Institutional market – International Institutions
International institutions are an important market for interpreters, both for freelancers and full-time employees. AIIC has institutional agreements (collective agreements) with key international bodies, including the United Nations, the European Union institutions and NATO. These agreements or conventions govern the pay and working conditions of all freelance interpreters, not just members of AIIC.
AIIC also counts many staff interpreters — those employed full-time by the institutions — amongst its members.
While numerous AIIC interpreters work exclusively for institutional clients or on the private market only, there are many who move freely between the institutional and private market sectors.
Distance interpreting
In certain cases it may not be practical – or even possible – for interpreters and participants to be physically present at the same location. Developments in technology have made remote modalities of interpreting more feasible (cf. RSI page), although there remain real concerns about the impacts of these modalities on quality of service and interpreter health and well-being.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a substantial increase in events with remote interpretation via the internet. AIIC has issued a number of recommendations and guidelines on how to organise such events appropriately, as well as the need to include this new mode of interpretation in interpreter training.