Briefing day
A meeting sometimes requested by the client to give the speaker the opportunity to familiarise the interpreters with the terminology that will be used during the conference.

Chuchotage (or Whispered Interpretation)
Chuchotage (from the French chuchoter, to whisper) is a form of simultaneous interpreting, where the interpreter sits in the room of the meeting and whispers a simultaneous translation of the speaker’s speech into the ear of one, maximum two, participants. Should any of the participants in question wish to make a remark, the interpreter shall provide consecutive interpreting. This service is performed without simultaneous interpreting equipment. In some cases a Portable translation system (see definition below in this glossary).

Consecutive Interpreting
Consecutive interpreting is a technique whereby the interpreter takes notes during the speaker’s speech, and subsequently provides a translation in the desired language. The speaker pauses at agreed points throughout his or her speech, depending on the type of presentation, to allow the interpreter to translate. The note-taking technique is not based on shorthand techniques. Rather it involves a complex system of symbols and abbreviations intended to enable the interpreter to remember concepts and facilitate translation. Consecutive interpreting takes longer (almost twice as much) to deliver than does simultaneous translation, but no technical equipment or aids are required. Consecutive interpreting can be used at international conferences, board of directors’ meetings, press conferences, depositions, seminars, training courses and business meetings.

Non-working day (Jours chômés)
An allowance that is payable to an interpreter who is working away from his or her professional domicile (i.e. city of residence) for days on which he or she is not required for work.

Portable translation system (also known as “bidule”)
A radio frequency transmission system composed of one transmitter and a varying number of receivers. The interpreter sits in the conference room (not far from the speaker) and translates simultaneously into the microphone of the transmitter, while the participants listen to the translation through the earpieces of their receivers. Compared with an infrared system (with booths) the wireless system is more prone to interferences and does not provide acoustic insulation for the interpreters. On the other hand, it can prove to be a flexible and cost-effective alternative to booths, but only when small groups are involved.

Relay interpreting
A method that can be adopted by simultaneous interpreters at international conferences by which an interpreter can use the translation of a colleague, the “pivot”, to translate into his/her language. For example, in a conference with Italian, English and Portuguese, an interpreter in the English booth translating into English who does not know Portuguese can listen to the translation from Portuguese into Italian in order to be able to provide a translation from Portuguese into English. It implies a longer delay between the original speech and the translation. It should be avoided, by using one additional booth and/or by increasing the number of interpreters per booth, to ensure direct translations from and to all the languages of the conference.

Simultaneous Interpreting
A translation that is delivered by the interpreter from a soundproof booth simultaneously, as the speaker gives his or her speech. Simultaneous interpreting equipment is required for this kind of service.

Simultaneous interpreting equipment
Any equipment used to enable an assembly of people to listen, via an earpiece or via headphones, to a simultaneous translation of a speech given by a speaker via a microphone. It also includes the soundproofed interpreter booths, a sufficient number of headphones to provide the service desired and any technical devices that are required. Modern equipment operates using infrared technology. The service includes technical assistance throughout the meeting.

Travel day (Manque-à-gagner)
An allowance that is payable to an interpreter who has to spend the best part of a day travelling to or from a place of work.