Short definition
Interpreter jargon refers to the profession-specific terminology used by conference interpreters – a vocabulary of abbreviations, technical terms, and insider expressions used naturally in everyday work.
Detailed explanation
Anyone working with an experienced conference interpreter for the first time quickly hears terms that need explaining. A-, B-, and C-language, relay, boothmate, chuchotage, retour – interpreter jargon is rich and precise. It has developed over decades of international conference practice and reflects the specific working realities of the profession.
Some terms are purely technical: "relay" describes relay interpreting, where an interpreter builds on a colleague's rendition. A "boothmate" is the colleague sharing a booth, alternating during simultaneous interpreting. "Retour" refers to interpreting into a foreign language – the reverse of the usual direction.
Other terms are more informal: "booth panic" for the moment a speaker talks far too fast or deviates massively from a prepared text. "Speed merchant" for speakers who rush through their presentation. For technical providers and organizers, a basic understanding of interpreter jargon is helpful – it eases collaboration and prevents misunderstandings during planning.
Relevance in this subject area
Knowing the jargon means communicating faster and more precisely with the interpreting team. It saves time during briefings and prevents misunderstandings during setup.
Practical example
During setup, an event technician hears that the interpreters need "relay from the English booth." They understand: the booths need to be wired so the English feed can serve as the source signal for interpreting into other languages.
Related terms
Relay interpreting, Simultaneous interpreting, A-language, B-language, Types of interpreting, Interpreting booth