Since the pandemic, online meetings have become increasingly popular, with participants sometimes joining from different countries for a range of virtual events—from webinars and European Works Councils to global team meetings and online training sessions.
In these settings, interpreters work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure smooth communication and mutual understanding. But if you’re the one speaking, there’s more to think about than just getting your point across. You’ve got to make sure your interpreters can follow you, too. Here are five tips to help you become a pro remote speaker when interpreters are in the mix.
1. Keep it natural
When you’re on a roll, it’s easy to forget that someone’s working to keep up. Interpreters are juggling listening, translating and speaking all at once, so help them out by presenting at a regular, steady pace. Of course, some of you are naturally speedy speakers—and that’s OK, we professional interpreters have ways of coping with the likes of you! While best practice recommends slowing down for public speaking (it’s just as tiring for native listeners if you’re barrelling along at a relentless five hundred words a minute), in our experience most people end up reverting to their natural speed when asked to slow down anyway.
No, what strikes fear in an interpreter’s heart is if you start reading from a script, because that’s when delivery ramps up to unnatural speeds, pacing and intonation go out the window, and we’re hit with a barrage of pure information without any of those helpful digressions, pauses and ums (which are just as helpful for us to catch up as they are for listeners to digest what is actually being said). So take a deep breath and give your speech as though you were talking to your close friends, and your message will land smoothly and with its full impact.
2. Pause for effect—and interpretation
We all love a dramatic pause for emphasis, but when interpreters are involved, those pauses serve a dual purpose. After delivering a key point, take a brief pause. This gives interpreters time to catch up and ensures that your audience receives your message clearly and without any rush. It’s not just about being understood; it’s about being heard in the right way. So, go ahead, pause, and let your words (and the interpreters) breathe.
3. Don’t rely on computer audio
Imagine trying to decipher a foreign language through crackling audio—sounds frustrating, right? That’s exactly what your interpreters are dealing with if you’re using subpar equipment (or worse, no equipment at all). A good headset and microphone are not just for your benefit; they’re essential tools for ensuring that interpreters can hear every word you say. Clear, crisp audio helps them do their job effectively, which in turn means your message is accurately conveyed. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune, these days you can get a perfectly decent pair of headphones with built-in mic for under £40. Your interpreters (and your audience) will thank you for it.
4. Avoid jargon overload
While you might be tempted to impress your audience with a stream of industry jargon, remember that interpreters are translating on the fly. Overloading them with technical terms or acronyms (especially if you’re not planning on sharing your presentation in advance – which you should!) can slow things down and lead to errors. Instead, keep your language simple and straightforward where possible. This isn’t about dumbing down your content; it’s about ensuring clarity. A well-understood message is far more impactful than one that’s lost in a sea of buzzwords.
5. Again: use a good-quality headset and microphone
And we’re back to the headset again, but it’s worth emphasising. We’ve already established that a proper headset ensures your interpreters can hear you without straining. Poor audio quality from built-in mics or speakers can make it nearly impossible for interpreters to catch everything you’re saying, leading to potential miscommunication. So, don that headset with pride, position the mic correctly, and speak with confidence, knowing that your interpreters are right there with you.
Want another reason?
Long-term exposure to poor-quality sound can become an occupational hazard for your interpreters, leading to increased stress and fatigue and, in more extreme cases, even to tinnitus (persistent ringing in the ear), hyperacusis (acute and painful sensitivity to sound) or partial hearing loss. This isn’t an exaggeration, and injuries caused by frequent exposure to substandard audio quality are now well-documented within the interpreting community. By investing in good audio equipment, you’re not only enhancing the quality of your delivery but also protecting the well-being of your interpreters.
Being a good remote speaker in an interpreted meeting is about more than just delivering your message; it’s about making sure that message gets across in every language present. By following these tips, you’ll not only make life easier for your interpreters but also ensure that your entire audience, no matter their language, gets the full benefit of what you have to say. So, take a deep breath, put on that headset, and remember—slow and steady wins the race, especially in a multilingual meeting.
Author: Bruno Musarra
Image: https://www.vecteezy.com/
Further reading:
AIIC Interpreters’ Top Tips for Remote Speakers
How bad sound led to tinnitus and hyperacusis: An interpreter’s journey
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I’m an Italian translator and interpreter based in London, helping clients across the UK (and beyond) communicate effectively with their Italian stakeholders. My specialties include simultaneous interpreting at multilingual conferences and events, along with marketing and creative translation. Need help communicating in languages other than Italian? Let’s talk! I can put you in touch with the right people or, better yet, organise the entire interpreting provision for your event, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Make sure you check out Word Of Mouth Translations, the company I co-founded, for your wider-reaching language needs.
