Interpreter system explained: how it works and when you need one

Does your audience speak more than one language? Then you need an interpreter system. The interpreter translates live, and participants hear the translation through an earpiece. That way, everyone follows the meeting in their own language, without disturbing the rest of the room. In this article, you will read how an interpreter system works, when you need one and what to look out for.

What is an interpreter system?

An interpreter system is also called an interpretation system or translation system. It consists of two parts. First, the interpreter speaks into a microphone with a small transmitter. Each participant who needs the translation gets a wireless receiver with an earpiece or headphones.

The system is very similar to a whisper set for guided tours. The difference lies mainly in how you use it. On a tour, the guide speaks. With an interpretation system, however, the interpreter speaks the translation, while the speaker simply carries on.

How does an interpreter system work?

Usually, the interpreter sits in the room, in a quiet spot with a good view of the speaker. What the speaker says, the interpreter translates straight away into the microphone. This is called simultaneous interpreting. Participants set their receiver to the channel for their language and hear the translation with almost no delay.

Are there several languages? Then each interpreter gets a channel of their own. With the Sennheiser Tourguide 2020-D, you can use up to eight channels at once. For example, English, German and Polish can run side by side. Each participant simply picks the right channel.

Simultaneous or whispered interpreting?

Without equipment, interpreting often happens in two ways. In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter waits until the speaker has finished a section. That takes a lot of time, because everything is said twice. In whispered interpreting, the interpreter sits next to one or two participants and whispers the translation in their ear. However, that only works for a very small group, and it disturbs the people nearby.

An interpreter system combines the best of both. The meeting keeps its pace, and yet the interpreter reaches everyone who needs the translation. What is more, the interpreter speaks softly into the microphone, so the room stays quiet.

When do you need an interpreter system?

An interpreter system is useful at any gathering with more than one language. Think of:

• Meetings and conferences with international guests.
• Court cases, where a defendant or witness must be able to follow the hearing. Read more in a whisper set in the courtroom.
• Weddings with family from different countries. We wrote about why a whisper set is indispensable at a multilingual wedding.
• Company visits and factory tours with clients or colleagues from abroad.

What should you look out for?

Good preparation makes all the difference. So keep these points in mind:

• Place the interpreter close by: they must hear and see the speaker well. A spot at the front or to the side of the room works best.
• Count the listeners per language: that tells you how many receivers and channels you need.
• Keep spares at hand: a few extra receivers save trouble if more guests turn up.
• Test beforehand: run through the system with the interpreter before the room fills up.

Also, you do not need a fixed interpreting booth. The system is portable and ready to go within a few minutes. In addition, a receiver lasts up to 16 hours, so even a long conference is no problem.

Prefer to use their own smartphone?

In a large hall or with a big audience, you can also do without separate receivers. With Sennheiser MobileConnect, participants listen to the interpreter on their own smartphone and earphones. That saves handing out and collecting devices, but everyone must then bring a phone and earphones.

Hiring an interpreter system

Most organisations only use an interpretation system a few times a year. In that case, hiring is often the smartest choice. You collect the set yourself, or we deliver it and pick it up again afterwards. See our interpretation system for all the specifications, or get in touch for advice on your event.