The European Parliament in Buenos Aires
Last May, Cultures Connection accompanied the European Parliament on two visits to Buenos Aires. The European Parliament contacted our agency to provide simultaneous interpreters for two diplomatic meetings with Argentinian officials. Between May 27 and 30, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) were busy discussing with the new Argentinian government under Javier Milei. Each group was provided with English to Spanish simultaneous interpreters to ensure that their negociations ran smoothly.
The European Committee on Foreign Affairs has increased it’s outreach to non-EU countries in recent years. The Committee monitors the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), adopted by the EU in 1993. All 79 members of AFET provide the EU with foreign policy recommendations, and exchange diplomatically with third-party nations. Similarly, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection also organizes meetings with partners outside of the EU. IMCO are responsible for regulating the internal market of the EU and protecting the interests of consumers.
Diplomatic Interpretation
These two EU Committees called upon the interpretation services of Cultures Connection to accompany them on two diplomatic visits with Argentinian officials in the city of Buenos Aires. Each Committee was provided with two highly skilled simultaneous interpreters for their meetings. Simultaneous interpretation, unlike consecutive, happens while a speaker is talking. This type of interpretation is also known as conference interpretation, and interpreters rely on their languages skills and memory to translate a speaker in real-time, without notes. Simultaneous interpreters alternate every 20 or so minutes, so as to prevent an interpreter from over exerting themselves. The task is much more mentally taxing than one may think!
For audience members or other participants to be able to hear the translation, interpreters provide them with wireless headsets. Interpreters use a sophisticated system of bluetooth microphones and headsets, and sometimes work in sound-proofed cabins. Cultures Connection provided our four conference interpreters with the necessary amount of microphones and headsets to bring along on their missions. Two experienced technicians also accompanied our interpreters on these missions, in case any technical issues took place.
If you think your conference or event could benefit from our simultaneous interpretation services or our equipment rental services, contact us today!
