Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Understanding remote simultaneous interpretation

Developed in the mid-20th century, simultaneous interpretation is closely related to the development of sound systems. The invention of the microphone and speakers allowed interpreters to reproduce what one person is saying in another language without interrupting them.

The introduction of teleconferencing and video conferencing gave rise to remote simultaneous interpretation, where the interpreter is not in the same place as the person speaking. It’s quite challenging for interpreters, who have to clearly see and hear the person speaking to render their message in another language, using the right words and tone. In addition, converting the sound to allow its transmission by telephone or over the Internet can affect the sound quality.

Over the years, requests to interpret teleconferences and video conferences increased in the Government of Canada. Interpreters started reporting headaches and hearing problems, which prompted the Translation Bureau to create a working group to regulate remote simultaneous interpretation in 2015. In April 2019, after several accidents related to the quality of the sound transmitted by phone, the Bureau put an end to teleconference interpretation.

In spring 2020, the lockdown due to the pandemic resulted in an explosion of requests for videoconference interpretation. This immediately resulted in an increase in health problems reported by interpreters. The Bureau quickly took action to protect them but interpreters are still feeling the effects today. This is why the Bureau is continuing its efforts to better understand and solve problems related to remote simultaneous interpretation.

Analyzing the sound

Even though the consequences of being exposed to loud noise are well known, few studies have been conducted on the effects of long-term exposure to sound from videoconferences. Over the past few years, the Bureau has called on a variety of sound and hearing specialists from Canada and other countries to obtain data that will help it to choose the best measures to protect interpreters.

Tests may involve many factors, as shown in the list of studies obtained by the Bureau. For example, in spring 2023, sound specialists tested the frequency spectrum (sound quality) and the level of sound pressure (intensity or volume of sound) transmitted to interpreters in parliamentary committee rooms.

Frequency spectrum

Measurement of the sound transmitted in hertz, from the lowest to the highest. If the spectrum is not broad enough, it is harder to understand what is being said.

Sound pressure

Sound intensity measured in decibels. The higher the sound pressure, the higher the risk of causing hearing damage.

The frequency spectrum test is relatively simple: a device that measures the frequencies received is plugged in, and used to determine whether these frequencies cover the recommended spectrum, between 125 and 15,000 hertz for simultaneous interpretation.

A laptop computer. A vertical column graph is displayed on the screen
Photo: Computer used to measure the frequency spectrum.

With regard to sound pressure, a mannequin made of silicone designed to represent the human body, specifically the human ear, is used. Equipped with sensors, the mannequin reproduces the sound vibration in the ear and body and allows specialists to determine whether the sound pressure is appropriate.

A beige mannequin, with no arms or legs. The mannequin’s features only roughly represent human ones, except for the ear, which is very detailed.
Photo: The mannequin used to test sound pressure.
A person’s hands close to the mannequin’s head. Their left hand is holding the silicone ear, which has been detached from the mannequin, and showing the hole which has been shaped to represent the ear canal. The right hand is holding the metal cylinder of the electronic eardrum, detached from the silicone ear and connected to the mannequin’s head with a wire.
Photo: The mannequin’s ear is designed to reproduce the human ear canal and linked to an electronic eardrum.

The data collected this way in spring 2023 was sent to hearing specialists so they could determine if the sound transmitted posed a danger to interpreters and make recommendations to reduce the risks. That is one example of the Bureau’s ongoing efforts to improve its understanding of the effects of remote simultaneous interpretation and better protect interpreters.

Related links

Date modified: