A professional interpreter converts the spoken word as comprehensively as possible into the language of the listener, and switches effortlessly between the two languages. Depending on the situation, various interpreting techniques can be used.

At conferences and conventions, communication is facilitated by simultaneous interpreters in interpreters’ booths. These interpreters convert the messages while the speakers are speaking. As this is a very intensive interpreting method, conference interpreters work in pairs and interpret into one target language only.

If interpreting services need to be provided to only one or two listeners at a conference, a whispering interpreter is an option. This interpreter sits next to the client(s) and converts the speaker’s message in a low voice. This technique is often used during court hearings and at civil-law notaries’ offices, as it causes hardly any loss of time. If there are several listeners, the interpreters often use whisper sets, i.e. a mobile installation including a microphone for the interpreter and head sets for the listeners.

Liaison interpreters use yet another technique. After the speaker has spoken several sentences, the liaison interpreter converts these into the other language. This technique is, for example, often used during negotiations, during guided tours, and at meetings between lawyers and their clients, which involve only a limited number of people. On these occasions, the interpreter converts the message from one source language into the target language and the other way around. This technique is often combined with whispered interpreting.

Bibi van den Bos often works as a liaison and whispering interpreter, and can call in the assistance of professional, Spanish-language booth interpreters in her large network if required.