Court vs Corporate Interpreting: Exploring the differences between court and corporate interpreting

I was in an interesting interview today and it dawned on me that there are vast differences between court and corporate interpreting and wanted to take the opportunity to point some of them out. Court vs corporate interpreting may seem like a minimal issue but understanding the challenges that both professionals face are critical in successful interpreting experiences.

Court Interpreting

In court interpreting, it is absolutely essential to accurately translate each and every word so that the court can make an impartial judgment. The court interpreter has a huge liability to make sure that everyone that is in the setting is absolutely sure of every word spoken.

Court interpreters typically utilize the consecutive interpreting mode, which allows for one person to speak at a time uttering short statements or sentences. The court interpreter also utilizes extensive note-taking and memory skills to recall the entirety of spoken content.

Corporate Interpreting

In corporate interpreting, it is absolutely essential to accurately translate concepts. Rather than interpreting each and every word, corporate interpreting tends to focus more on the overall content and messaging to ensure that the audience members have a smooth and pleasant experience throughout the event.

Corporate interpreters typically utilize the simultaneous interpreting mode, which means that the interpreter will begin interpreting a few seconds after the speaker begins speaking, in a sense “speaking over” the speaker. The interpreter accomplishes this by often times using electronic equipment and sit in a soundproof booth and the audience members listen via headsets.