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The interpreter's job is to ensure that speeches delivered in one of the official languages of the European Union are accurately rendered into the other official languages. In a meeting, participants can speak in one of a given number of languages from which interpreting is provided (passive interpretation). They can also follow the debate in one or more of the languages into which interpreting is provided (active interpretation). |
A speech is interpreted in its entirety, often with the help of notes, after a speaker has finished. Because of time limitations, this technique is rarely used when more than two languages are present.
The interpreter sitting in a special booth listens to a speech through a headset and translates it into a microphone while the delegate is speaking.
'Chuchotage' is a variant of simultaneous interpreting where the interpreter listens to the original speech and at the same time translates it by whispering into the listener's ear.
Except for face-to-face meetings and for missions away from Brussels or Strasbourg, practically all EP meetings rely on simultaneous interpreting in specially equipped meeting rooms.
Interpreters work in teams of two or three according to the number of languages in use. Typically, interpreters work from three or more languages into their mother tongue. For some languages, they may also work from their mother tongue into another language (bi-active interpretation).
In Parliament's official places of work all meeting rooms are equipped with interpreting booths in line with international standards. They are soundproofed, air-conditioned, well lit and furnished with ergonomic chairs, and must give interpreters a view of the meeting room that allows them to follow what is going on.
If there are no permanent booths (on temporary missions away from the normal places of work, for example), the interpreters work in portable simultaneous booths.