Consecutive interpretation is the most common form of interpretation. It works when there are only two languages involved in both one-on-one and group settings.
For businesses going into new markets with new languages, using the right interpretation tool to minimize linguistic barriers is vital.
At LinguaLinx, as a Language Services Provider (LSP), we help our clients interact with the people who keep their businesses running – employees, partners, suppliers and customers – in any language on a daily basis.
We know the responsibility placed on people on the front line of communicating for the company in a foreign language is a big one. Your LSP should be there to guide you through this every step of the way.
Over the next few minutes, you’ll get an understanding of what variables affect the price of consecutive interpretation.
We’ll go through the elements we consider when assigning the right linguist, or linguists, to our clients when they need our help and how this impacts the cost of a project.
What is Consecutive Interpretation?
When you picture interpretation, chances are you’re picturing consecutive interpretation. Imagine you’re having a tour of a new manufacturing plant in Ankara and you don’t speak a word of Turkish.
Meeting the new heads of departments, who don’t speak English, is only possible because you have a consecutive interpreter with you.
They accompany you on your visit and when you have something to say they interpret it, wait for a response from the Turkish team, then interpret that response back into English for you.
Successful conversations happen by each of you speaking in short bursts through the interpreter.
Determining the Cost of Consecutive Interpretation
Taking our Turkish scenario as an example, there are a number of factors that go into determining what the price of the interpretation will be.
Some of these may not be apparent on the surface, which is why we suggest getting the help of a LSP rather than sourcing an interpreter yourself. These are the top things an LSP will be looking at:
Speed
Do you have to be in Turkey tomorrow or is it something that can be planned in advance? Chances are getting good interpreters at the last minute incurs additional charges.
Does it require the interpreter to be available out of business hours, such as in the evening or on the weekend? These hours also can have cost implications.
Location
Being in Ankara, a city of almost 5.5 million people, the chances are there are interpreters nearby and with good availability.
But if it was in a remote area of Turkey’s Taurus Mountains, there would probably be extra charges in the form of travel days and expenses.
Typically, the more remote the location the more the cost because of travel and availability of local interpreters.
Languages
In Turkey, getting a Turkish to English interpreter isn’t too difficult as neither of the languages are rare.
The rarer the language, the more interpreters tend to cost because they’re in short supply. Some languages, such as Arabic, are more expensive than others even though they’re widely spoken.
This is due to the limited number of qualified Arabic translators and the fact that the language has over 12 million distinct words.
Industry
It’s important to use interpreters who know the industry and are subject matter experts. Industries have their own jargon, acronyms and terminology and getting this right is central to an accurate interpretation.
Finance, tech, legal, retail…they’re all very different which is why certain industries are more expensive to interpret than others.
Duration
How long do you need the interpreter for? Is it just a tour of the factory in Ankara, or are there meetings to attend afterwards, or for the next few days?
And seeing that you’re visiting Turkey, are you also going out for dinner? Will you need the interpreter there too? Naturally, the more time the interpreter is needed, the higher the cost.
Frequency
Is this the only meeting that you know of, or are these going to be regular visits to the manufacturing plant and offices?
If a regular schedule of interpretation can be guaranteed, then that puts your LSP in a position to negotiate a better long-term deal with their linguists.
Most interpreters are freelancers, so any kind of consistency in their schedules will be welcomed with open arms and often lower rates.
Some Ballpark Figures
Obviously, everything listed above comes into play. To give you a rough idea, consecutive interpretation tends to cost between $100-150 per hour, with a minimum number of hours often required.
Daily rates range from $700-900 before adding the usual expenses for travel, subsistence, and accommodation where necessary.
You’ll probably be able to get travel days for about 60-70% of these figures which is why your LSP will always try to get you interpreters who are as local as possible.
Getting an Accurate Quote
Now you’ve got an idea of what your LSP will need to consider to get you an accurate quote. Speed, location, languages, your industry, duration and frequency will all play a part.
The advantage to having this knowledge is you might be able to reduce some of these factors which will help with the bottom line.
For example, you might be able to change the location of a meeting from somewhere remote to somewhere with better access to interpreters such as a major city.
However, if you can’t, that’s just fine…the right LSP will make sure everything is accounted for and goes smoothly.
If you’re not partnered with a LSP yet, we’d love to talk to you to see how we can help.
Consultations are free and there’s no obligation.
You’re in safe hands with us as we’re ISO 17100 and ISO 9001 compliant, have over twenty years of professional translation experience, and have earned the trust of organizations around the world.
