Interpreting at meetings and events: how to find an interpreter
Consecutive, simultaneous, escort: what to choose
Interpreting comes in several kinds. Consecutive: a person speaks, the interpreter waits for a pause and conveys the meaning. It suits negotiations, meetings and small events. Simultaneous: the interpretation goes almost at the same time through headsets, usually needs a booth and equipment, and two interpreters work together. This is for conferences and forums. There is also escort interpreting (trips, exhibitions, factory tours) and phone or online interpreting.
Everything depends on the type: the number of people, the equipment, the price. So the first step is to describe the format of the event.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write one request: the language pair, date, duration, subject and format. Interpreters and agencies reply in the chat with offers: a price (per hour, half-day or day) or what it depends on, terms, experience. They compete for your request, so offers often improve. Reviews are visible next to each, and you pass your contacts only to the specialist you choose.
What to put in your request
- Language pair — for example, English — Spanish.
- Type of interpreting — consecutive, simultaneous, escort, by phone.
- Duration — hours or days, and whether there are breaks.
- Subject — negotiations, medicine, technical, legal, manufacturing.
- Format — in person or online (Zoom, phone).
- Date — day and start time.
- City or venue — where the event is held.
- Equipment — booth and headsets for simultaneous interpreting.
- Budget — if you want to name one.
Example: “Durban, 15 October. I need an English — Spanish interpreter for technical negotiations at a factory, consecutive, 3 hours, in person. Subject: industrial equipment. Budget up to R 1,200.”
How to compare offers
Pay attention to the billing unit: hour, half-day or day. The minimum booking often equals several hours, even if the event is shorter. Ask about travel, accommodation (if they have to travel), extra preparation, and whether time to read the materials is counted.
The main thing for quality is experience in the subject. An interpreter for talks about machine tools must know the terms. Ask them to send presentations, a glossary and an agenda a few days ahead: preparation makes a big difference. For simultaneous, ask whether they offer a pair of interpreters and the equipment.
What to agree before the start
Agree where the interpreter will sit, and that they will have water and breaks: after several hours of non-stop work the quality drops. For an online meeting, agree a separate backup channel in case of a failure, and for a trip, who arranges transport and lunch.
Common mistakes
- Not sending the interpreter materials in advance.
- Booking one interpreter for a long simultaneous event: you need a pair who take turns.
- Not testing sound and connection for an online format.
- Not agreeing on confidentiality when commercial data is involved.
For written texts and certified documents, see translation and typing services. If you also need contracts or minutes after the meeting, you can order them there too. More about the service is on the “How it works” page.
