Simultaneous interpreting is a complex and challenging form of verbal translation and is used at major international events such as conferences, to ensure that all guests can understand the presentations and speeches. It involves the interpreter deciphering the words of the main speaker and verbally translating within just 2-3 seconds, so all audience members are following the presentation simultaneously, regardless of their native language. In many events several interpreters will speak at once, so several different languages are spoken simultaneously, for the benefit of every audience member. These events are generally strictly regulated with a fixed program and timetable, so simultaneous interpreting ensures all audience members can attend all the presentations that interest them, without having to stay an excessively long time.
Simultaneous interpreting is incredibly demanding work, and it is said that a person is either born with a natural talent for the role or achieves success through hard demanding work. Only a few interpreters can achieve the standard of professionalism required for simultaneous interpreting. This work requires fast thinking, high proficiency and fluency in both languages, extensive reading and steady nerves. A poor standard of simultaneous interpretation can undermine the reputation of the speaker, who will appear to be delivering flawed information, and depending on the circumstances, could also damage the business or the success of the negotiations. A well-prepared interpreter who can provide synchronized interpreting is the rarest of experts and commands great value.