6 Major Types of Interpreting
As stated in a previous blog (What is the Difference Between Translation and Interpreting?), interpreting is the real-time, spoken form of translation that facilitates seamless cross-language communication. Unlike written translation, interpreting involves conveying a speaker’s message aloud in another language, ensuring immediate understanding. Depending on the context, interpreting can take various forms to meet specific needs. Below, we outline the six major types of interpreting: simultaneous, consecutive, escort/travel, whisper, scheduled telephone, and on-demand phone interpreting.
1. Simultaneous Interpreting
In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter listens to a speaker while translating their words into the target language in real time. Despite the name, interpreters cannot begin speaking until they grasp the sentence’s overall meaning.
While listening to the speaker’s current words, simultaneous interpreters process and recall phrases spoken 5–10 seconds earlier, delivering an accurate translation without paraphrasing. This method is essential for large meetings, conferences, and trade shows—much like interpreting at the United Nations. Typically, interpreters work from a booth, wearing headphones and speaking into a microphone.
Simultaneous interpreters must think quickly and make split-second decisions. They have no time to debate word choices or search for the perfect idiom. Any hesitation risks losing key words—or even entire ideas—from the speaker’s message.
2. Consecutive Interpreting
During consecutive interpreting, the speaker pauses every 1–5 minutes—typically at the end of a complete thought—allowing the interpreter to translate their message into the target language.
This back-and-forth style of interpreting is common in smaller business meetings and courtroom proceedings, such as witness testimonies. Since speakers take turns, interpreters must accurately convey each message without losing key details.
Strong note-taking skills are essential in consecutive interpreting, as few people can retain and recall an entire paragraph after hearing it only once.
3. Escort/Travel Interpreting
Escort/travel interpreters serve as both language experts and personal assistants, helping clients navigate business trips or travel experiences. They may accompany clients to a single meeting or multiple engagements, ensuring smooth communication every step of the way.
Beyond interpreting, these professionals act as cultural liaisons, handling everything from ordering meals to facilitating high-stakes business negotiations. Their role extends far beyond language—they bridge cultural gaps and help clients build successful international relationships.
4. Whisper Interpreting
Whisper interpreting works like simultaneous interpreting, but without headsets or microphones. Instead, the interpreter sits next to the individual or group needing interpretation and whispers or speaks softly in the target language. This method puts extra strain on the interpreter’s voice.
Businesses often use whisper interpreting for meetings when only one participant needs translation. It’s also common in courtrooms, where someone seated at the back may need interpretation to follow the proceedings.
5. Scheduled Telephone Interpreting (OPI or Over-the-Phone Interpretation)
Scheduled telephone interpreting (also called OPI or Over-the-Phone Interpretation) can be either simultaneous or consecutive. This form of interpreting is performed during an established appointment where the interpreter does not see both parties in person, but executes the interpreting via telephone.
If the participants of a call are content to hear only the voice of the interpreter, telephone interpreting can be conducted in a simultaneous mode; otherwise interpreting should be conducted consecutively.
If the interpreter does not see the speakers and has no access to extra-linguistic clues to the speaker’s meaning and context, the accuracy of simultaneous telephone interpreting may be significantly lower than for consecutive over-the-phone Interpreting. Most generally, phone interpreting is conducted consecutively. Next we’ll outline the last of our six types of interpreting.
6. On-Demand Phone Interpreting
On-Demand Phone Interpreting helps individuals and organizations break language barriers instantly. To access this service, a caller selects the required language pair and connects with a professional interpreter. The interpreter then joins the conversation and facilitates real-time communication between both parties.
Customer service call centers, companies, organizations, pharmacies, and medical and legal institutions rely on On-Demand Phone Interpreting to communicate with limited English proficiency (LEP) individuals. This service provides instant access to interpreters whenever needed.
One key advantage of On-Demand Phone Interpreting is its rapid availability, connecting users with an interpreter within minutes. However, because the interpreter joins the conversation without prior context, they may lack essential background information, which can impact the accuracy and effectiveness of the interpretation.
What To Look For In Interpreting
No matter what type of interpreting you need, choosing the right interpreter requires more than just experience—it demands deep expertise in the subject matter. A skilled interpreter must listen intently, think quickly, and confidently deliver messages in another language. They must also excel in public speaking and instantly adapt idioms, colloquialisms, and culturally specific references into statements the audience will understand.
What types of interpreting have you had experience with? What tips do you have when looking for interpreters? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
To learn more about Language Scientific‘s different types of interpreting services click here.
If you are interested in a career as an interpreter the US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides some good information around median pay, education requirements and what the job outlook is like.
