Consecutive interpretation

In consecutive interpretation, interpreters start translating once the speaker has finished part or all of their speech. This type of translation can be useful in contexts where simultaneous interpretation may not be feasible or practical, for instance, when there is no room for a simultaneous translation booth and/or there are too many attendees to use portable equipment. In diplomacy, there are also scenarios where consecutive interpretation may be the most appropriate solution.

It should be pointed out that, whenever possible, consecutive interpretation should be used only as a last resort, since the interpreter must take notes whilst listening to the speaker and translate what was said immediately after the speaker has finished speaking, which can interrupt the speaker’s and the audience’s train of thought and become monotonous for participants who speak both languages, since the speech must be repeated twice, once in each language. This also means the speech will take twice as long.