What is conference interpreting?

Conference interpreting is a professional practice that involves orally conveying the message of a speaker at a multilingual event into another language. It enables participants who speak different languages to understand and be understood in real time, whether at international conferences, business meetings, symposiums, or seminars. As a freelance conference interpreter, I work with English, French, Spanish, and Romanian, and I work in Lille, Paris, Brussels, as well as remotely. Interpreting is much more than oral translation: it requires perfect mastery of languages, a keen understanding of cultural contexts, and great responsiveness to ensure clear, fluid, and accurate communication.

What makes a good interpreter?

A good interpreter does not just speak several languages: he or she has a perfect active and passive command of their working languages, as well as excellent listening, concentration, and memorization skills. Interpreting also requires great responsiveness, a high degree of adaptability to different contexts (technical, political, legal, medical, etc.), and absolute discretion. A good interpreter adheres to a strict professional code of ethics: confidentiality of exchanges, neutrality, and fidelity to the original speech. Whether interpreting simultaneously or consecutively, he or she is able to convey the message accurately, clearly, and fluently, while remaining "invisible" in the communication.
I strive to embody these qualities in every assignment I undertake, whether in English, French, Spanish, or Romanian, in Lille, Paris, Brussels, or remotely.

What types of interpretation are there?

There are several types of interpretation, each suited to a particular type of event:

• Simultaneous interpreting: the interpreter translates in real time, usually from a booth and using headphones. This is the most common form of interpreting at international conferences or large-scale multilingual events.
• Consecutive interpreting: the interpreter speaks after the speaker, conveying the message in segments. This is often used for bilateral meetings, presentations, or shorter speeches.
• Whispered interpreting (or whispered interpreting): the interpreter translates quietly for one or two people, directly into their ears. This method is ideal for isolated participants in a predominantly monolingual group.