What is simultaneous translation?

Firstly, it should be noted that in translation faculties, simultaneous translation is not discussed. They might even have trouble understanding what you mean.

The term “simultaneous translation” belongs to natural language, that is, the way we express ourselves spontaneously. However, translation professionals do not use this term, as it can refer to various types of translation.

You might have come to this blog with an idea of what simultaneous translation is. In this blog, I would like to introduce you to the terminology we use in translation companies so you can find what you are looking for more precisely.

After all, simultaneous translation is any type of translation that takes place instantly. Next, I will tell you about the types of translation that share this characteristic.

1. Simultaneous translation: sight translation

Sight translation is a type of simultaneous translation that you may not have thought existed.

It is a more common type of simultaneous translation than it might seem. If you have a friend or colleague who is a translator or can translate, you have probably already seen it in action.

In professional jargon, “sight translation” is when the translator reads a text and translates it in oral form on the spot. Sometimes, we might also refer to this type of translation as “sight interpreting.”

Sight translation is very useful in international business or work meetings, but keep reading to discover other more common types of simultaneous translation.

2. Simultaneous translation: simultaneous interpreting

You have probably come to this blog thinking of simultaneous translation as simultaneous interpreting. Simultaneous interpreting is the term we use in translation and interpreting service agencies instead of simultaneous translation.

Simultaneous interpreting is a type of oral and human translation that is performed in real time. When you see images of the European Parliament with its members equipped with headsets, you are seeing a simultaneous interpreting service.

“Interpreting” is the technical term used to distinguish oral translation from written translation. Interested in learning more about the different types of oral translation? Read our blog What is oral translation?

In simultaneous interpreting, interpreters (as language service companies call translators specialised in interpreting) work from a booth.

These booths are soundproof, so the interpreter will only hear through their headphones the voice they need to interpret and will translate orally and simultaneously through a microphone.

Wasn't this what you thought simultaneous translation was? Then keep reading.

3. Simultaneous translation: machine translation

You have probably come here looking for machine translation services. In other words, a platform where you can input a text in English, for example, and have it translated into Spanish, French, German or any other language that it offers.

The most well-known and used machine translator currently is Google Translate. As of the date this blog, “Google Translate” can translate into 108 languages. Literally from A(frikaans) to Z(ulu)!

A few years ago, people poked fun at Google's not very clever translations, which were often simply ridiculous and could give you a good laugh. Although this is still true and Google's machine translator is not completely reliable, its accuracy rate has increased spectacularly.

You have surely heard of artificial intelligence and perhaps also of “deep learning.” These models have also reached machine translation and Google Translate, making machine translation improve in quality since 2017. To the point that many professional translators are getting nervous! Others are simply changing their way of working.
However, simultaneous translation has more meanings... Curious? Then keep on reading!

4. Simultaneous translation: speech translation

This is another form of machine translation but based on speech. Google Translator also offers this possibility, but there is a more cutting-edge form of this type of simultaneous translation.

Nowadays, there are tiny devices that are placed in the ear and translate in real time everything they hear. We have a very interesting blog about this type of devices: “A translator in your ear.”
This type of speech translators are designed so you can travel and understand everything you hear in a foreign language.

In the near future, we will see a Japanese, Chinese or Swedish tourist understanding what we say to them in Spanish. Amazing! It won't be perfect, and surely there will be misunderstandings that will make you split your sides, but there will be more communication.

If you thought that the possible meanings of “simultaneous translation” were over, you were wrong!

5. Simultaneous translation: remote interpreting

When translation agencies talk about “remote interpreting”, it can be sight translation, consecutive oral translation or simultaneous oral translation. In this case, “remote interpreting” is sometimes referred to as “simultaneous translation.”

This type of simultaneous translation has gained spectacular relevance due to the current health crisis, as most events are held online today.

Furthermore, remote interpreting offers multiple advantages over other forms of simultaneous interpreting. In this way, interpreters are much more accessible, not only because there are no distances to overcome but because this proximity makes interpreting more affordable.

Many companies that once dreamed of having an interpreting service can now afford it.

If you want to know more about this type of simultaneous translation, its qualities and advantages, read our blog “The challenge of remote interpreting.”

Remote translation (or remote interpreting) takes place on digital platforms. One of the most well-known platforms adapted for remote interpreting is Zoom. Do you want to know how? You can also read Interpreting on Zoom

6. Conclusion

As you have seen in this blog, when we say “simultaneous translation,” we might be referring to many different things. If you came here looking to know what simultaneous translation was, I hope you now have a clearer idea.

In any case, simultaneous translation constantly evolves in all its forms. In the future, we can expect to continue seeing an evolution of technology that challenges our imagination.