Consecutive interpreting: features and differences from other types of interpreting
Unlike a simultaneous interpreter, a specialist performing consecutive interpreting has some time to carry out all the necessary cognitive operations (decoding the source-language text, translating it, and encoding it in the target language), although this time is quite limited too.
At the same time, the interpreter's task in consecutive mode is made somewhat easier by another factor: as a rule, the speaker pauses between segments of speech that are relatively complete in meaning and syntax. This largely removes the need for the interpreter to work "ahead of the speaker" – translating while at the same time anticipating how the content and the syntactic structure will develop a few seconds ahead. This is typical of interpreting at press conferences, briefings and lectures, as well as when interpreting for a tour guide or for someone speaking in court.
In practice, however, everything depends on the situation and on the speech patterns of the speaker.
In such cases, the boundaries between simultaneous and consecutive interpreting are fairly blurred. In other cases, a speaker who gets carried away (or is nervous) simply forgets to pause in time, and a segment of speech turns into a substantial paragraph when written out. This calls for taking notes on paper, especially if the speech contains important names, figures and other data. Finally, consecutive interpreting demands no less than simultaneous interpreting does: besides fluency in the native and foreign languages, the interpreter needs knowledge of the idiomatic layer of both languages, as well as of the context and subject matter of the communication.
As the above makes clear, consecutive interpreting is used at events with a small number of participants. Seminars, round tables, guest lectures, exhibitions and tours do not require simultaneous interpreters and, accordingly, costly engineering and technical solutions such as booths, equipment, headset distribution and so on. The most the interpreter has in their arsenal in this case is a notepad and a pen.
Mobility and the absence of technical equipment are a very tangible advantage when arranging consecutive interpreting.