Both simultaneous and consecutive interpreting require maximum concentration. Studies have shown that the ability to concentrate decreases significantly after 30 minutes. For this reason, interpreters often take turns at face-to-face events after 30 minutes. But: As so often in life, the same applies here. It depends. In the case of a highly technical conference, interpreters may change after 20 or even 15 minutes. The higher the degree of technicality of an event, the higher the speaking speed. When experts speak in front of experts, all details and aspects should of course be covered in the speaking time.

At online events or events where one or more speakers are connected virtually, interpreters often change after just 15 minutes. The pandemic has accelerated exiting technical opportunities in the field of video conferencing. But we've also all experienced firsthand at least once the phenomenon often referred to as "zoom fatigue."

In videoconferencing, there is sometimes a misalignment, however minimal, between sound and picture. Speakers (unfortunately) often use inappropriate microphones (built-in laptop microphone, wireless microphones, etc.), can be heard with ambient and background noise, or have too weak an Internet connection. The brain has to compensate for all these distortions compared to spoken language in an offline setting. This causes the famous Zoom fatigue, from which of course interpreters are not immune.

For these reasons, both simultaneous and consecutive interpreters usually work in teams of 2 or more interpreters. Every setup is different, which is why at Klemke Language Services we always consult with our clients on an event-specific basis.