“Languages are a bridge—one just needs to know how to cross it!”
If you think about it, universities today host educators and guest speakers from all over the world to provide invaluable guidance to their students. With such a diverse group of people comes different languages and cultures, all mingling with each other daily. Now, imagine an international conference or a guest lecture happening in a university, where half the attendees are not able to understand what is being said. No, not because of the mic issue but due to the linguistic barriers.
This scenario can turn out to be an issue without some professional language assistance, mainly conference interpretation services. These services make sure everyone attending the lecture understands what’s being said—regardless of the language used. From live seminars and research panels to graduation ceremonies, conference interpreting assists in tackling communication challenges and creates an authentic connection between the speaker and the listeners.
In this blog, we will look at why universities need professional conference interpretation services and how they work.
The Challenge: Diversity in Languages
As mentioned above, international universities are a melting pot of diverse and distinct languages and cultures. According to UNESCO, the number of students travelling internationally has increased by more than 50% in the last decade. While this promotes global unity, it also means university campuses are growing more linguistically diverse than ever, making effective communication a mounting challenge.
Imagine a scenario where a renowned American physicist is invited to a university in Germany as a keynote speaker. Without clear communication channels, important information conveyed by the physicist can be lost or misunderstood, creating a dilemma that no educator wants to face.
LOOKING FOR SKILLED INTERPRETERS FOR AN EVENT?
Contact us today and get exceptional multilingual interpretation services!
The Solution: Conference Interpretation
The scenario mentioned above is exactly why partnering with a professional conference interpreter is essential.
Here’s why:
- Real-Time Understanding: Professional interpreters can convert the spoken content in real time, making sure none of the listeners misses anything.
- Smooth Conversations: For interactive sessions, like panel discussions and Q&A, interpreters can convert consecutively, enabling efficient back-and-forth communication.
- Inclusive Participation: Beyond guest speakers, even students and families who speak different languages can completely immerse themselves in graduation ceremonies, orientations, and annual fests.
- Strengthened Partnership: With assistance from professional corporate interpreters, universities can connect better with global collaborators, donors, and other institutions.
What Type of Conference Interpretation Does the University Require?
There are generally two types of interpretation that universities prefer to select.
They are:
- Simultaneous Interpretation: This is a process where an interpreter translates the speaker’s words instantly. Although this type requires a higher concentration, it is perfect for large conferences or lectures.
- Consecutive Interpretation: In this, the speaker pauses every few sentences, giving the interpreter time to translate. This method works effectively in small meetings or interactive sessions, where conversation back and forth is common.
A Hypothetical Case Study
Imagine a university hosting a prestigious global conference on medical science. They have extended the invite to 15 institutions from different countries. Without professional interpretation services, there won’t be any scope for clear communication between the attendees, which might lead to an unsuccessful conference.
However, by partnering with a conference interpreting agency, the host university can ensure all discussions happen smoothly. Be it by using simultaneous interpretation for keynote addresses or consecutive interpretation for Q&A sessions and panel discussions, a professional interpretation agency ensures smooth multilingual communication.
The Result?
The host university concludes a successful conference, leading to fruitful conversations among intellectuals, higher engagement, and a reputation for being a global institute of knowledge.
However, if you are still on the fence about interpretation services and worried about their cost, check out this useful blog: How to Keep Interpretation Costs Low Without Cutting Corners?
Why Partner with Professional Agencies?
Getting untrained interpreters can be risky, as interpretation requires exceptional skills like linguistic proficiency, good communication, industry expertise, and strong memory.
Apart from this, conference interpretation also sees the use of advanced sound equipment and experience in managing multilingual events.
One such leading professional interpreting company in India is Somya Translators, an ISO 17100:2015 certified company.
By partnering with us, you get:
- Access to native and experienced interpreters.
- Cutting-edge interpreting equipment.
- Tailored solutions to satisfy diverse needs.
- Flexible language support in 170+ languages.
- A guarantee of data security and total privacy.
We strongly believe that language should not stand between knowledge and opportunity; in fact, it must act as a bridge between them. For universities aiming to grow globally, boost their reputation, and create enriching, inclusive environments, our professional interpretation services can be the right tool.
Get in touch with us today, and let’s explore how our solutions can help you streamline communication challenges.