Are you struggling with your global expansion strategy? Well, you could be missing an important element in your strategy – translation. Running a business on the global scene translates to working with people who don’t speak your language. Yet, effective communication is crucial for success. Translating information from one language to another becomes necessary. This enhances communication with foreign clients, employees, investors, and other stakeholders. Particularly, simultaneous translation has proved to be a valuable tool for businesses that are expanding to other countries. In this article, we discuss everything simultaneous translation. What it is, where you can use it, and why it is important:

What is simultaneous translation?

This is a type of interpretation where an interpreter converts speech from the source language to the target language at the same time as the speaker delivers the speech. In case of a meeting, delegates receive the message in their own languages in real-time. This happens with about a 30 seconds delay.

Simultaneous translation requires the interpreters to listen carefully as the speaker speaks and relay the message to the listeners almost immediately. The interpreter has to interpret while observing nuances in the target language. For this reason, the interpreters need to be highly proficient in both languages. This means that you have to choose interpreters carefully. Also, it is important that interpreters have the details of the speech beforehand to aid in the interpretation.

Using simultaneous translation in your global expansion strategy

As said earlier, communication can make or break your business. When expanding your business to other parts of the globe, translation helps you ensure effective communication with people who speak a different language. You can use simultaneous interpretation to provide linguistic support in different settings in your business. For instance, if you are hosting an event with foreign attendees, simultaneous interpretation can ensure the delegates’ participation optimization. They can understand the information clearly and take part in discussions in a language that they understand.

Likewise, many global companies choose simultaneous interpretation for various events. Training foreign employees, meetings, seminars, and conferences with foreign participants. Moreover, pitching business ideas to foreign investors and factory tours, among other scenarios involving people who speak different languages.

The goal of simultaneous interpretation is to ensure that every participant understands the message in a language he or she understands. That is why it is important to ensure that you have all the necessary equipment. When booking a venue for your meetings, ensure that everything is available. Make sure to work with companies that provide simultaneous interpretation equipment. These include push-to-talk microphones, soundproof booths, transmitters, receivers, headphones, screens, and video cameras.

Advantage of simultaneous translation

There is a reason why simultaneous interpretation is preferred by most businesses. Here are some advantages of using it in your business:

• Ensures a smooth flow of information – Delivering the message to the target language in real-time eliminates unnecessary delays that would make the speech feel awkward. This also ensures that the attendees stay engaged throughout the meeting, as there are no chances of getting bored.
• Enhances comprehension – Unlike where attendees have side talks when the speaker is speaking, simultaneous interpretation demands full attention. This ensures that they understand the message clearly.
• Portrays a professional look – Going the length to provide linguistic support for your foreign stakeholders shows a high level of professionalism. It gives a good impression of your business to foreign delegates. It also shows your commitment to their involvement in your business.
• Saves time – Unlike in consecutive interpretation, where the interpreter has to wait for the speaker to stop talking, interpreters in simultaneous interpretation interpret at the same time the speaker is speaking. This means that the meeting takes a shorter duration as compared to consecutive interpretation. In addition, if you are paying for the venue in hours, you save money when the meeting is shorter.
• Can include many languages – If you are holding a meeting with attendees who speak different languages, simultaneous interpretation is your best bet. Attendees have the ability to select their preferred language in their headsets. You only need to avail an interpreter for each language represented

Conclusion

To succeed in your global expansion plan, it is important to handle the language barrier hurdle with translation. Most businesses are using simultaneous interpretation to tackle the situation. With the above information, you, too, should consider going that route for the success of your global expansion strategy.