Mobile Booths for Simultaneous Interpretation

This is a reminder of the main points, plus a few tips drawn from interpreters' experience.

· Dimensions of mobile SI booths

The size of mobile SI booths is naturally a compromise between the ideal working conditions desired by the interpreters and the issues of volume and weight that the supplier has to deal with in transporting them.

· Ventilation

Mobile booths are generally smaller than permanent booths, therefore an adequate supply of fresh air is a main concern and can be somewhat more problematic than for built-in booths.

- Each booth should have a silent-running fan in the ceiling and air inlets and outlets.

- The fan should be big enough to ensure proper air turnover.

- The interior of the booth should not be drafty.

· Insulation/soundproofing

- There should be no interference from other booths or from the conference room.

- The booths should have doors -- not curtains.  This helps reduce outside noise.

· Lighting

- Table lamps are essential so that interpreters can read texts or take notes when the room lights are off.

· Visibility

There should be large windows in front and on the sides for visibility into the other booths and the surrounding area of the conference room.

- No vertical support in the center of the front window.

- Windows should be made of non-reflecting glass, so the interpreters can see into the conference room, not their own faces.

· Adequate work area

- A table that is too large can be as inconvenient as one that is too small.

Where to place mobile booths

· In the back of room looking straight at the podium.

· Interpreters should have a direct, unobstructed view of the podium and the screen.

· There should be adequate space behind the booths for interpreters to pass by.

· Booths should not be located near noisy areas.

- Background noise disturbs the interpreters and also goes through the microphone into the listeners' headsets.

· People entering and leaving the room should not have to pass in front of the booths.