Consecutive Interpreting Services
In consecutive interpreting the speaker talks for a stretch, pauses, and the interpreter delivers the passage in the other language. It needs no equipment, works anywhere, and roughly doubles the time a session takes — which is why it suits negotiations, depositions and site visits rather than conferences.
When should you choose consecutive over simultaneous?
Choose consecutive for small groups where precision beats speed: contract negotiations, legal depositions, medical appointments, factory audits, press interviews and bilateral meetings. Choose simultaneous when an audience is listening and the agenda cannot absorb the doubled running time.
- Under about 10 people in the room → consecutive usually fits
- Audience listening in silence → simultaneous
- Every word may be quoted or contested → consecutive
- Fixed agenda with many speakers → simultaneous
How does a consecutive interpreter remember long passages?
Through a dedicated note-taking system that records structure, links and numbers as symbols rather than words. Trained consecutive interpreters routinely hold passages of several minutes, and the notes exist to rebuild the argument accurately, not to transcribe it.
It is a distinct skill from simultaneous work, and not every excellent simultaneous interpreter is an excellent consecutive one. For depositions and negotiations, the note-taking discipline is precisely what protects you.
Does consecutive interpreting need equipment?
No, and that is its practical advantage. A consecutive interpreter works with a notepad in any room, vehicle or plant floor. For walking tours with several listeners, a portable tour-guide system with a transmitter and receivers is a light alternative that avoids a full booth.
How much longer does a consecutive session take?
Plan for roughly double. A 60-minute monolingual meeting becomes a 2-hour interpreted one, because every passage is delivered twice. Building that into the agenda in advance is the single most useful thing an organiser can do.
Frequently asked questions
Is consecutive interpreting cheaper than simultaneous?
Often, because it usually needs one interpreter instead of two and no booth or equipment. The saving is partly offset by the doubled session length, so a full negotiating day still costs a full day of interpreting.
Can consecutive interpreting be done remotely?
Yes. Over video it is the most robust remote mode, because speaker and interpreter take turns and never compete for the same audio channel. It is the standard choice for remote depositions and one-to-one appointments.
Is whispered interpreting the same thing?
No. Whispered interpreting, or chuchotage, is simultaneous delivery whispered directly to one or two listeners without equipment. It works for a single delegate in a meeting but does not scale beyond about two people.
Need an interpreter in the room?
Tell us the languages, the city and the date. We will confirm availability.
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