Short definition
In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter delivers the translation after the speaker finishes a section – with no technical booth setup, but with strong memory skills.
Detailed explanation
Consecutive interpreting is the oldest and, in a sense, most direct form of interpreting. The speaker talks for a segment – sometimes several minutes at a stretch – and then pauses. During that pause, the interpreter renders the content completely and precisely in the target language. No booth system, no headphones, no infrared.
The cognitive feat behind this: the interpreter doesn't just listen, they simultaneously analyze structure, argumentation, and key terms, capturing it all in a well-developed note-taking system. Conference interpreters develop their own notation techniques for this – not shorthand, but a symbol-based system that captures thoughts and structures, not words.
The main drawback is time: every speech segment effectively takes twice as long. That's why consecutive interpreting suits smaller groups, bilateral negotiations, press conferences, receptions, or situations where an interpreting booth can't or shouldn't be set up.
Relevance in this subject area
Consecutive interpreting is an important alternative to simultaneous interpreting – less technically demanding, but more challenging in terms of organization and time.
Practical example
At a bilateral business negotiation between a German and a Japanese delegation, a consecutive interpreter interprets back and forth. The group is small, the schedule flexible – a simultaneous interpreting system would be overkill here.
Related terms
Simultaneous interpreting, Liaison interpreting, Whispered interpreting, Types of interpreting, Note-taking technique