Do you know what relay interpreting is?

BBL Translation

There are many different types of interpretation. Situations such as public events (for example a press conference or a round table), are more likely to attract people of different nationalities and the ideal scenario is to have an interpreter for each language combination. Nevertheless, relay interpreting is often the technique that’s chosen and implemented. Would you like to know what relay interpreting is? Imagine a sort of linguistic filter that pivots between the source language and the target language.

The relay technique

The word “relay” comes from its French counterpart “relais”, which means “replacement” or “transmitter”. “Relay” is a word commonly used in the field of communications, most specifically within the spectrum of simultaneous translation.
Therefore, the figure of the “transmitter” refers to the bridge that unites two interpreters whose work is done in conjunction. Thus, “relay” is a technique that is based on linking a source language to another through a third person; a third simultaneous interpreter who acts as “filter”. In this way, while a person delivers a speech in language X, an interpreter translates it into language Y and another professional interpreting from another booth translates language Y into language Z. To make it happen, it is necessary to count with soundproof booths, microphones, wireless headphones, a sound system and a sound technician to oversee any technical issues.

When is it used?

Sometimes, the language combination that is required is not provided by the interpreters hired. Let’s imagine the following scenario: a press conference in which Mariano Rajoy, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are the participants. The Russian president is giving a speech in his language and it has to be translated into different target languages, including English. The trouble of not having an interpreter working directly from Russian to Spanish can be solved thanks to the English-Spanish combination booth. In this way, Mariano Rajoy can get a version of Putin’s speech in his language.
Relay interpreting is in fact nothing less than interpreting from one language to another using a third language as auxiliary support. Following the previous example, the simultaneous interpreter in charge of transmitting the information to Rajoy will not translate from Russian, but from the English version that arrives through the interpreter assigned to Trump. The intermediate language that acts as mediator, in this case English, is called a “pivot“. (Obviously, conferences at state level usually have better means; this is just an illustrative example.)
Double interpretation obviously involves a delay in the final result, so this technique requires experienced professionals who are prepared to perform their duties with great skill and promptness. Any small change could hinder the whole meaning of a sentence. Thus, it is essential to train thoroughly under the supervision of the best experts.
In addition, it is a procedure that can be, in spite of its complexity, relatively economical. By reducing the number of simultaneous interpreters, fewer professionals are needed to provide translations in several languages. It is very difficult to find interpreters of certain language pairs that can translate a speech simultaneously to the language of interest for a specific event. Yet, if achieved, the price could be exorbitant given the low offer. However, languages as widely spoken as English and Spanish can always be implemented as the pivot, since they simplify the process and save costs. Likewise, the relay technique allows for the reduction of soundproof booths and, consequently, the total cost of the service.
If you are interested in this technique for a conference, fair or event, you should look for competent professionals with experience in the field. At BBLTranslation, we offer the best services for this practice. We have been doing this kind of work for years and we know how to manage the delay inherent to this method in the most efficient and subtle way. Contact us!

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Important warning: we recommend that you carefully read the contents of this legal text prior to providing any personal data through the website of Bibielle Global Translations, SL, owner of and responsible for the correct application of the Privacy Policy.
In accordance with the regulations applicable to the protection of personal data, and the new provisions contained in the General Data Protection Regulation (hereinafter GDPR), directly applicable from 25 May 2018, Bibielle Global Translations, SL informs you of the following:
i. Contact details of the Data Controller: Bibielle Global Translations, SL (hereinafter BBL), with Tax Identification No. B65336885, registered office at Calle Cartagena 241, Barcelona, 08025 Spain, and contact e-mail legal@bbltranslation.eu.

ii. Purposes: Data collected through the contact e-mail address, or service quotation request form, will be incorporated into files owned by BBL with the purpose of handling, managing and responding to your request or contact. The data provided will not be used for purposes other than those for which it was collected.

iii. In addition, and on a voluntary basis, you may provide your consent (by ticking the corresponding box or registration) to us sending commercial communications, by any route and/or electronic means, and keeping you informed about the services which, being similar to the current ones, may interest you, and which BBL offers to its Clients and users under more advantageous conditions, and to carry out market or customer satisfaction surveys.

iv. Retention: The data will be retained for the time necessary to achieve the purposes for which it was collected, in order to respond to the subject of your request or contact, and while there continues to be a mutual interest. It will be deleted when it is no longer necessary for such purposes, the commercial or contractual relationship ends, unless its retention is required by law.

If you provide your consent to the sending of commercial communications, personal data will be processed actively while you have the status of User, or until you withdraw your consent.

v. Data communication: In no event will your data be transferred or communicated to a third party, unless required by law; nor will it be transferred internationally, except with the unequivocal consent of the data subject, and prior information about the possible recipients, purpose and, where appropriate, country of destination.

vi. Duty of secrecy: BBL complies strictly with the duty of secrecy and confidentiality of personal data, and for this reason has implemented technical, organisational and security measures to prevent its unauthorised alteration, loss, processing and/or access, taking account of the state of the art, the nature of the stored data and the risks to which they are exposed, all of this as established by Spanish and European legislation on the Protection of Personal Data.

vii. Rights of the data subject:

a. To exercise the rights of access, rectification, erasure and objection, limitation of treatment, data portability and not being the subject of automated individual decisions, by writing to Bibielle Global Translations, SL, Calle Cartagena 241, Barcelona, 08025 Spain or at legal@bbltranslation.eu indicating the subject of your request, and attaching a [copy of your] national identity card or passport.
b. To complain to the Supervisory Authority: if a user considers that their data is not being used properly, and this matter is not addressed by BBL, they may submit a complaint to the relevant data protection authority, which in Spain is the Agencia Española de Protección de Datos.

viii. If you receive commercial communications by electronic means, in accordance with the Spanish Law of Information Society and Electronic Commerce Services (LSSICE), you may withdraw your consent, unsubscribe or modify your data using the same channel, through the e-mail address legal@bbltranslation.eu, which will be specified in each communication.