Short definition
Audio Remote Interpreting refers to remote interpreting in which the interpreter is connected from another location and works with audio only – without a video image.
Detailed explanation
ARI emphasises the remote aspect: the interpreter is not at the venue but is connected via an audio link. Unlike ACI, which describes a pure audio conference as the setting, the focus here is on the physical separation between the interpreter and the event, combined with the absence of a picture.
In practice, the terms overlap considerably, and the specialist literature does not always use them consistently. All audio-based remote formats share the same difficulty: without a picture, context is missing. Facial expressions, gestures and slides normally carry a substantial part of the meaning; without them, the cognitive load increases. This is why shorter working times and higher demands on sound quality apply. Wherever possible, ARI is avoided in favour of video-based formats (VRI).
Relevance in this field
ARI is a quickly available but demanding form of remote interpreting. It makes sense as a stopgap or for simple conversations – but as a permanent solution for complex conferences, it is problematic.
Practical example
A hospital connects an interpreter via an audio link for a short conversation with a patient. Because there is no picture, everyone involved deliberately speaks slowly and in short segments.
Related terms
Audio Conference Interpreting (ACI), Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Remote Interpreting, Telephone Conference Interpreting (TCI), Remote Hub