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How Does Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) Work? 

Have you ever wondered how people from different countries can understand each other in real-time at international events? The answer is remote simultaneous interpretation, or RSI for short. 

Have you ever wondered how people from different countries can understand each other in real-time at international events? The answer is remote simultaneous interpretation, or RSI for short. 

With RSI, interpreters can translate speeches and conversations instantly from anywhere in the world, using advanced technology that makes it feel like they’re right there in the room with you. It’s a fascinating process that involves specialized cloud platforms, precise audio administration and processing as well as carefully planned workflows to ensure that nothing gets lost in translation

What is Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI)? 

A woman sitting at a desk with headphones and microphone in the middle of a remote simultaneous interpretation.

Remote simultaneous interpretation, or RSI for short, is a contemporary way to provide real-time language interpretation via internet instead of using traditional on-site equipment. It also allows interpreters to work from anywhere in the world, giving you access to top professionals without distance being an obstacle. 

Even though RSI is remote, the core idea is the same as onsite simultaneous interpretation – accurately conveying the meaning of what’s being said into another language as it’s spoken. The speaker’s voice is transmitted online to interpreters, who listen and interpret in real time. Their interpretation is instantly sent to attendees, who have previously selected their preferred language on their devices. 

As online meetings and events become more common, RSI will likely play a growing role in connecting people across the globe. 

Traditional On-site Simultaneous Interpreting vs Remote Simultaneous Interpreting 

While the idea and technique behind traditional interpretation and remote simultaneous interpretation is the same, they are fundamentally different in how they deliver multilingual events.  

With traditional interpretation, interpreters need to be physically present at your event venue and with that related travel and accommodation arrangements must be made. Additionally, extensive on-site equipment and at least one technician is necessary to facilitate the interpretation process. These logistical requirements not only affect costs but also restrict the scalability of multilingual events. 

A woman interpreting online and a man interpreting on site.

In contrast, RSI platforms enable our interpreters to work remotely from anywhere in the world. They can integrate seamlessly with popular video conferencing tools, making them ideal for today’s hybrid events. In addition, this eliminates travel and accommodation arrangements for you while also reducing your technology costs. 

The advantages of our remote simultaneous interpretation services extend beyond cost savings. You can now access a broader pool of our qualified interpreters, offer more language combinations, and seamlessly integrate interpretation into your virtual or hybrid events. 

Feature Traditional SI RSI 
Equipment Booths & hardware at the venue Internet-based platform 
Location Interpreters must be on-site Interpreters can work remotely 
Scalability Limited by venue size Unlimited, as many as needed

How Does RSI Work? 

A woman at a desk interpreting.

To make RSI work, you need a strong tech setup with secure cloud platforms like Zoom or Teams, high-quality audio gear, and fast internet with sufficient bandwidth to support uninterrupted communication. 

Before you begin: 

  1. Choose a reliable interpreting platform that you or your interpreting supplier can fully manage.  
  1. Set the spoken and interpreted languages (channels) and assign interpreters accordingly.  
  1. Schedule briefing and testing sessions with interpreters in advance. 
  1. Inform speakers that their speech will be interpreted, emphasizing the need for clear, steady, and well-paced delivery  
  1. Provide interpreters with comprehensive materials, ideally the very ones the speakers will use during the session. 
  1. Instruct listeners on how to select their preferred language channel.  

Interpretation process: 

  1. First, the speaker talks into a microphone, and their voice is sent over the internet to the interpretation company’s computers. 
  1. On the way, the audio gets split up, so interpreters can hear the original language while simultaneously interpreting into their languages at the same time. 
  1. The interpreters’ audio is instantly sent to people listening on their devices. This usually happens so fast that it feels just like having interpreters right there in the room with you. 
  1. Attendees can switch to the original audio and other language channels on their own devices. 

Throughout, backend administration of such online sessions is key to ensuring seamless communication and allowing attendees to listen in their preferred language without disruption. 

Benefits of RSI 

RSI offers major benefits that make it a great choice for global communication. It eliminates travel expenses as well as the need to rent venues or equipment. At the same time, it lets both participants and interpreters join from all over the world, plus they can join at much later notice than if they needed to show up on-site. 

A phone screen with the GORR background showing that an interpreter is calling.

Increased Accessibility 

We use remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) technology to provide interpretation in over 50 languages. This breaks down language barriers and enables organizations and businesses to reach diverse audiences with rare geographical limitations. 

  • Cost Efficiency 

RSI can deliver substantial cost savings compared to traditional on-site interpretation by reducing travel, accommodation, and technology expenses. 

By utilizing cloud-based platforms, costs are incurred for the required interpreting services only. The fees for the chosen RSI platform depend on factors such as the event type, audio setup at the speaker’s location, the number of languages, the attendee count, and event duration, allowing for precise budget planning. 

Additionally, remote and on-site services can be strategically combined to maximize both cost efficiency and overall effectiveness. 

Scheduling Flexibility 

With RSI, organizations can engage interpreters from around the world without the constraints of travel logistics or associated expenses, offering significantly greater flexibility when scheduling events. 

Additionally, clients are no longer limited to local interpreters, allowing them to select the ideal professional for their specific needs, even for rare language pairs or specialized subject areas. 

Last-minute adjustments can also be accommodated more easily, as interpreters do not need to be physically present to carry out the interpretation. 

Overall, this approach provides access to a broader talent pool, enhanced flexibility, and a more streamlined, hassle-free experience for all parties involved. 

When RSI is Not the Right Choice 

While remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) offers many benefits, it is not always ideal for every event or organization. 

A list of reasons when RSI is not the right choice for an event.

Poor Internet Connectivity: RSI depends on a stable internet connection. Events in areas with unreliable service risk technical disruptions, affecting interpretation quality. 

Confidential or Sensitive Discussions: For highly sensitive meetings—such as legal or government discussions—on-site interpretation may offer better security than remote solutions. 

Complex Multi-Language Events: Large-scale events with multiple language channels or technical challenges may be better suited for traditional interpretation setups. 

Audience or Speaker Preferences: If participants are not tech-savvy or prefer in-person interpreters, RSI may not be the best fit. 

Events Requiring Non-Verbal Cues: Legal, medical, or high-stakes negotiations often rely on body language, making in-person interpretation more effective. 

Limited Technical Support: RSI requires proper setup, testing, and troubleshooting. If an organization lacks technical resources, on-site interpretation may be a safer choice. 

When organizing events like this, consider whether on-site simultaneous interpretation might be a more suitable option. 

Get in touch with the professionals at GORR for more on whether RSI is the right choice for you. 

What Industries Use RSI? 

Many types of organizations now rely on remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) to communicate across languages. 

Business Applications 

Global corporations use RSI for international board meetings with executives tuning in from around the world. It’s also become a staple at large conferences, enabling attendees to participate fully in their native tongues. 

With RSI, organizations can manage a wide range of events, from virtual meetings and training sessions to customer support, as well as small team calls and large investor events with thousands of participants. 

International Events 

Next, let’s explore how RSI benefits academia. Universities and research institutions employ the technology to make virtual lectures and conferences accessible to students and scholars no matter where they’re located or what language they speak. Platforms such as Zoom and WebEx have simplified the process of hosting these multilingual events, making them more accessible than ever before. 

RSI has also proven invaluable in the public sector. Government agencies and diplomatic organizations use it to facilitate communication during international negotiations and summits. The technology ensures all parties can express themselves clearly and understand one another, even when multiple languages are involved. 

In these high-stakes contexts, RSI enables more productive dialogue and smoother collaboration. 

As remote meetings and events become increasingly common, expect to see RSI leveraged in even more industries worldwide. The technology breaks down language barriers, opening up new possibilities for globalized business and cross-border cooperation. 

As the virtual events market continues to grow, we’re seeing more conferences, trade shows, and virtual summits leveraging our services to create inclusive, multilingual experiences for their global audiences. 

We offer interpreters across more than 50 languages, enabling you to deliver translated presentations, multilingual polling, and live chat translations. 

We cover various event types such as: 

  • Roundtables 
  • Webinar 
  • Corporate Meetings 
  • NGO Forums 
  • (Mock) Negotiations 
  • Market Research 

Educational Settings 

We believe that this technology will revolutionize educational settings by overcoming language barriers. It enables schools and universities to foster inclusive learning environments where students and educators can communicate effectively, regardless of their native language. 

RSI facilitates a wide range of academic scenarios, from international student orientations to guest lectures and global research collaborations.  

The technology seamlessly integrates with virtual learning platforms, allowing interpreters to provide real-time translation while students remain focused on the course content. 

For instance, a physics professor in Denmark can deliver a lecture to students worldwide, with interpreters translating into multiple languages simultaneously. 

In addition to its cost-effectiveness, RSI makes quality education more accessible to institutions with limited resources. It allows for the connection with expert speakers, the hosting of multilingual parent-teacher conferences, and the support of ESL students, all without the logistical complexities of on-site interpretation. 

With proper preparation, including providing interpreters with lesson materials and technical support, we can create dynamic, multicultural learning spaces that prepare students for an interconnected world. 

How Do We Ensure Quality? 

At GORR, delivering high-quality remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) is our top priority. To achieve this, we follow strict technical standards, work with hand-picked interpreters, provide thorough interpreter training or briefing as required, and implement continuous quality checks. These steps ensure seamless multilingual communication in nearly any virtual setting. 

Technical Standards 

To maintain exceptional interpretation quality, we require all interpreters to meet specific technical standards: 

  • Reliable Equipment: Interpreters need to use a desktop or laptop with a fast processor, running an up-to-date operating system and browser. 
  • Stable and Fast Internet: A wired connection is essential to prevent delays or disruptions. 
  • Professional Audio Gear: A wired USB headset with over-ear design and noise-canceling features ensures clear sound quality for both interpreters and participants. 

Beyond technical requirements, our interpreters follow best practices to ensure accuracy and reliability. 

A 404 error sign showing that GORR is familiar with technical issues and solving them.

Preparation and Troubleshooting 

Familiarity with interpreting platforms is crucial, allowing interpreters to navigate different systems efficiently. We establish parallel communication channels between our team, the client, and the interpreters to ensure a quick response in case of technical errors or interruptions. 

Pre-Event Test or Technical Call 

A test call is scheduled several days before the actual session. This includes verifying the quality of the source video and audio, checking the interpreting options on the RSI platform, testing interpreter audio, establishing handover signals for multiple interpreters, as well as setting up backup communication channels in case of technical issues. By addressing potential challenges in advance, we ensure real-time issue resolution, allowing your event to proceed without disruption. 

How We Handle Technical Issues 

Even with careful preparation, technical issues may still arise. When they do, we follow a structured troubleshooting process: 

  1. The Setup – If the client is responsible for the technical setup, we immediately notify them for support. When session administration is on our side, we act quickly to resolve any disruptions.  
  1. Interpreter Communication – In case of technical issues, interpreters use prearranged alternative communication channels while working to rejoin the meeting. 
  1. Backup Solutions – If necessary, interpreters may switch to another device and rejoin the session. In rare cases of prolonged issues, we offer reliable post-session interpreting solutions to compensate for any missed live interpretation.  

This helps minimize disruptions and ensures all meeting attendees can still communicate effectively. 

With RSI, language barriers are no longer a challenge. Our remote interpretation services simplify the process of hosting multilingual events, eliminating the need for costly travel and cumbersome equipment. Whether you require interpretation for a business meeting, conference, or online seminar, we offer prompt, professional solutions. 

Let us help you make your next event truly global—contact us today. 

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