 Translation Industry Glossary U-Z |
 |
| Videoconference |
| Videoconferencing, where participants are at several different venues and use telecommunications for remote access, have become very popular. Simultaneous interpreting at videoconferences requires a high quality of sound and video reception, in order for the interpreters to be able to see and hear the speakers as if they were in the same room. |
| Visibility |
Interpreters need to see the speakers, the meeting room and, in particular, the screens used during a conference. Indeed, body language and gestures are an integral part of any discourse and need to be taken in by the interpreter in order to fully understand a speaker. The reaction of an audience, the expressions on participants' faces, the goings and comings in the room, are all part of the message the interpreter needs for his/her job. This is why the location of the booths is so important. They must be placed so that the interpreters, from their seats, can see the rostrum, the speakers, the screens and as much as possible of the room. |
| Voiceover |
In a film or video, it refers to a voice off camera. The translation of a voice over requires (1) translating the script (done by translators), and (2) recording the voiceover (done by actors) |
| Whisper interpretation |
Simultaneous interpretation without the use of interpretation equipment, where the interpreter sits close to the listener and whispers the interpretation. Whispering is not recommended when there are more than two listeners or more than two interpreters working at the same time in the same room. Whispering requires a team of two interpreters and, since it is extremely taxing and hard on the vocal chords, it is only appropriate for very brief one-on-one meetings. See also simultaneous interpreting without a booth. |
| Whispering interpreting |
| Simultaneous interpreting without the use of interpretation equipment, where the interpreter sits close to the listener and whispers the interpretation. Whispering is not recommended when there are more than two listeners or more than two interpreters working at the same time in the same room. Whispering requires a team of two interpreters and, since it is extremely taxing and hard on the vocal chords, it is only appropriate for very brief one-on-one meetings. See also simultaneous interpreting without a booth. |
| Wireless equipment |
Although, strictly speaking, this describes all interpretation equipment that is operated by batteries, a distinction must be made between (1) interpreter's wireless equipment, which consists of a battery-operated transmitter and is used in wireless interpreting, and (2) participants' wireless equipment, which consists of wireless receivers. Nowadays, all participants' receivers are wireless, except in some of the older fixed installations. |
| Wireless interpretation equipment |
Although, strictly speaking, this describes all interpretation equipment that is operated by batteries, a distinction must be made between (1) interpreter's wireless equipment, which consists of a battery-operated transmitter and is used in wireless interpreting, and (2) participants' wireless equipment, which consists of wireless receivers. Nowadays, all participants' receivers are wireless, except in some of the older fixed installations. |
| Wireless interpreting |
Another term for mobile simultaneous interpreting. Interpretation using a small wireless transmitter used for mobile simultaneous interpreting. The interpreter whispers into a microphone attached to the transmitter and the participants listen through headphones attached to receivers.
The advantage of this system is that it is mobile and can handle more participants than whispering interpretation. The disadvantages, as for whispering interpretation, are that it does not permit sound isolation or amplification, and it is very taxing for the interpreter. It is designed for touring trade shows, factories, plants, etc. It can also be used for brief presentations, press conferences, etc. See also simultaneous interpreting without a booth. |
| Wireless receiver |
A radio or infrared receiver used to tune into the interpretation. They are just like small pocket radios, except that they are wired to operate only in the specific frequencies assigned to the interpretation equipment. In order to hear, the interpreters' equipment must be operational and a headphone or earphone must be plugged into the receiver. |
| Wireless simultaneous interpretation equipment |
Although, strictly speaking, this describes all interpretation equipment that is operated by batteries, a distinction must be made between (1) interpreter's wireless equipment, which consists of a battery-operated transmitter and is used in wireless interpreting, and (2) participants' wireless equipment, which consists of wireless receivers. Nowadays, all participants' receivers are wireless, except in some of the older fixed installations. |
| Wireless translation equipment |
There is no such thing. This term is often used by interpretation brokers and equipment companies who, apparently, don't know the difference between translation and interpretation. If your supplier doesn't know the difference between translating and interpreting, this is one of the Red Flags & Warning Bells that your meeting is in trouble. |
| Wireless transmitter |
A small battery-operated transmitter used for mobile simultaneous interpreting. It is the same size as a receiver (about the size of a pack of cards) and fits easily into a pocket. For more information on wireless transmitters, click here. |
| Word count |
| A standard measure of the size of an original or a translated text. In the US, translation projects are normally priced on the number of words of the target text, but sometimes they can be priced on the original. Since word count can vary enormously between languages, it is crucial to specify whether the per-word rate being quoted refers to the source or target language. |
| Word-for-word translation |
| Translation that closely follows every word in a source text. A word-for-word translation usually reads like nonsense, but at times it can be quite amusing. A good example is machine translations. |
 |
