INTERPRETING
Interpreting is a professional activity which consists in listening to discourse in one language and restating it in another language, in a given context and in a precise and efficient manner. The professional interpreter is the link between two or more persons who do not speak the same language but who need to communicate orally and immediately, for purposes such as negotiating, learning a new production technique, attending a trade fair, strengthening bonds, or other.
Interpreters perform extremely demanding intellectual work that requires great concentration, long preparation, good resistance to pressure and of course, total mastery of the languages and fields at hand.
Athenea Omnilang propose professional consecutive, liaison, escort andwhispered interpreting services in several languages and business sectors.
CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETING
Consecutive interpreting consists in orally translating an oral presentation segment by segment, interpreting each segment directly to the audience. In consecutiveinterpreting, the speaker pauses periodically (example: every 5 minutes) to allow the interpreter to translate what has just been said. The interpreter can take notes to aid in the restitution of the discourse which has been delivered. The interpreter also translates any questions or comments to the speaker. Consecutive interpreting does not require special equipment and is well-suited to events where the audience shares a common language that is different from the speaker’s language. Examples are brief speeches, interviews on the radio, business meetings and other.LIAISON INTERPRETING
Liaison interpreters establish the connection between different persons who have to communicate with each other but do not speak the same language. A liaison interpreter is a professional linguist who speaks the languages that are involved. He or she translates the different persons’ remarks, using notes taken if required. This type of interpreting is well-suited to events involving a small number of participants (5-10 persons in all) where dynamic exchange takes place, such as small meetings, plant visits, business meals, etc.ESCORT INTERPRETING
The objective of escort interpreting is to facilitate the Client’s interaction in a multi-lingual or multi-cultural setting. The interpreter knows the Client’s language well and has good knowledge of the languages, cultures and fields that are specific to the context at hand. Escort interpreting suits individuals or very small groups of 2-3 persons requiring linguistic and cultural assistance during any type of event including fairs, ceremonies, business meetings, and missions of any kind including scientific missions.WHISPERED INTERPRETING
Whispered interpreting is the most personalized form ofinterpreting. Here, the interpreter’s objective is to translate in a very quiet voice, for one, two or three persons maximum, the content of the discourse being delivered in a language that they do not understand. The interpreter must also translate the Clients’ comments or questions for the speakers. The primary difficulty with whispered interpreting arises from acoustic or sound problems that can be present in this type of situation. Whispered translation can be hard to hear if there is surrounding noise and conversations, and it is of course being delivered at the same time that the speaker is making his or her speech.
All the interpreters collaborating with Athenea Omnilang have not only in-depth interpreting experience and solid linguistic training, they are also specialized in the field and have rhetorical skills which bring true added value to the services provided. These professionals sign a confidentiality agreement and respect the set of specifications for each project.ORGANIZATION OF INTERPRETING PROJECT
Each interpreting project is unique and requires methodology, resources and skills that suit the project and achieve a performance that is precise, relevant, effective and stylistically pleasing. These parameters are stipulated in the personalized quote, and are defined in the set of specifications agreed upon by Athenea Omnilang and the Client when organizing the interpreting project. It is important to point out that the quality of an interpretation is, to a certain extent, measured by compliance with these specifications.
Criteria taken into account in organizing the interpreting project
LANGUAGE COMBINATION
SUBJECT
TRAVEL
SHEDULING
WORKING CONDITIONS
BUDGET
OTHER
LANGUAGE COMBINATION
The interpretation project always begins by determining the different languages the project involves.
Athenea Omnilang proposes interpreting in the following languages*:
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Russian
- Spanish
*Upon simple request, we can propose other languages and fields. To submit your project, ensured of total confidentiality, please go to our quotes and pricing space.
SUBJECT
The theme or subject of the interpreting project must be precisely defined as early as possible in order to provide the interpreter with time to prepare a glossary containing the specialized vocabulary preferred for the project, if it is not provided by the Client, and to master it. Documentation for the project (transparencies, catalogues, advertising, etc.) can also be very useful in most cases.
Athenea Omnilang proposes interpreting in the following business sectors*:
- Diplomacy & international relations
- Haute couture
- Furnishings & layout
- Wine, spirits & champagne
*Upon simple request, we can propose other languages and fields. To submit your project, ensured of total confidentiality, please go to our quotes and pricing space.
TRAVEL
Generally speaking, the interpreters’ work entails professional travel for the required amount of time, which generates expenses. In the event of remoteinterpreting, travel may not be involved.
SHEDULING
For good performance of an interpreting project, the effective interpreting time, preparation time and rest time must be determined in advance. Moreover, it is important to note that in the case of very intenseinterpreting activity, (ongoing dialogues without interruption), several interpreters may be required.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The interpreter must prepare his or her interpreting work and adapt it to working conditions which can vary depending on the venue for the event: a room, a fair, a restaurant, a foreign country, etc. Clothing must suit the project, which can vary from a top-level management meeting to a construction site inspection, for example.
BUDGET
Invoicing for interpreting is generally based on time. The hourly base is used and the price is established based on the number of hours and the linguistic combination (English <> French, for example). Other costs for additional services can be added to this base price, for the creation of specialized glossary for example, and travel and accommodation costs. In all cases, the cost of the interpreting project is always established on a case by case basis. (Click here for a personalized quote).
OTHER
Depending on the Client’s requirements and the type of the project, other criteria can be taken into account during the project organization phase.
INTERPRETING PROJECT METHODOLOGY
This flow chart outlines the characteristic follow-up process applied to aninterpreting project at Athenea Omnilang*
Preparation of texts and travel 
In certain cases such as conferences, the interpreter studies and often pre-translates the documents which will be read or presented during the conference. If the interpreting project involves travel, arrangments for the interpreter(s) must also be made in advance.
Assigning the interpreter
A skilled interpreter must:
1)Know his or her native language and the languages involved in the interpreting project;
2)Know the field involved in the project well; and
3)Respect the instructions and the confidentiality agreement for the given project.
Set of specifications
Project analysis and quote
Client feedback
This process is established to deliver very high quality translations and to ensure your full satisfaction. We are always happy to read your comments about our services.
Interpreting
In addition to the importance of a skilled interpreter, it is important to test and check the equipment to ensure smooth interpreting service.
Questions and replies
Relevant, discrete interaction with the Client is crucial to providing interpreting that is adapted to the Client’s needs.
Glossary
If the Client does not provide the glossary containing the terminology specific to the job, Athenea Omnilang or the interpreter must prepare it.
INTERPRETING PROJECT METHODOLOGY
This flow chart outlines the characteristic follow-up process applied to aninterpreting project at Athenea Omnilang*
Preparation of texts and travel
In certain cases such as conferences, the interpreter studies and often pre-translates the documents which will be read or presented during the conference. If the interpreting project involves travel, arrangments for the interpreter(s) must also be made in advance.
Assigning the interpreter
A skilled interpreter must:
1)Know his or her native language and the languages involved in the interpreting project;
2)Know the field involved in the project well; and
3)Respect the instructions and the confidentiality agreement for the given project.
Set of specifications
Project analysis and quote
Client feedback
This process is established to deliver very high quality translations and to ensure your full satisfaction. We are always happy to read your comments about our services.
Interpreting
In addition to the importance of a skilled interpreter, it is important to test and check the equipment to ensure smooth interpreting service.
Questions and replies
Relevant, discrete interaction with the Client is crucial to providing interpreting that is adapted to the Client’s needs.
Glossary
If the Client does not provide the glossary containing the terminology specific to the job, Athenea Omnilang or the interpreter must prepare it.
INTERPRETING PROJECT METHODOLOGY
This flow chart outlines the characteristic follow-up process applied to aninterpreting project at Athenea Omnilang*
1. Project analysis and quote
2. Set of specifications
3. Assigning the interpreter
A skilled interpreter must:
1)Know his or her native language and the languages involved in the interpreting project;
2)Know the field involved in the project well; and
3)Respect the instructions and the confidentiality agreement for the given project.4. Preparation of texts and travel
In certain cases such as conferences, the interpreter studies and often pre-translates the documents which will be read or presented during the conference. If the interpreting project involves travel, arrangments for the interpreter(s) must also be made in advance.
5. Glossary
If the Client does not provide the glossary containing the terminology specific to the job, Athenea Omnilang or the interpreter must prepare it.
6. Questions and replies
Relevant, discrete interaction with the Client is crucial to providing interpreting that is adapted to the Client’s needs.
7. Interpreting
In addition to the importance of a skilled interpreter, it is important to test and check the equipment to ensure smooth interpreting service.
8. Client feedback
This process is established to deliver very high quality translations and to ensure your full satisfaction. We are always happy to read your comments about our services.
*Example of the follow-up process which takes place during the interpreting project. This process can be modified depending on the requirements of the project and its specifications.