• What is consecutive interpretation?

Unlike simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation is performed after the speaker finishes paragraphs or talks for about a few minutes. The speaker speaks, and the interpreter interprets. Thus, it takes double the time as the speech. Interpreters take notes while the speaker talks so that they could render in the target language later. Note-taking is a very difficult skill. It is not to write everything; we need to write key elements of the speech in symbols and anything that can help us remember what was said. 

 

According to my experience, court interpreting is always done in consecutive form as accuracy is very important in court. (Not that accuracy is not important in simultaneous interpretation, but it is almost impossible to pick up 100% in simultaneous interpretation unless we receive the speech ahead of time.) However, in most business settings, as it takes more time, consecutive form is not a prevalent method. 

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