Simultaneous Interpretation
The process of translating spoken language in real time while the speaker is still talking, with minimal delay between the original speech and the interpretation.
Understanding Simultaneous Interpretation
Simultaneous interpretation is the gold standard for multilingual events. Unlike consecutive interpretation, where the speaker pauses for the interpreter to translate, simultaneous interpretation happens in real time with minimal delay. This method was pioneered at the Nuremberg Trials in 1945 and has been the standard for United Nations meetings, international conferences, and diplomatic events ever since. Traditionally, it requires highly trained human interpreters working in soundproof booths with specialized equipment. Modern AI technology is now making simultaneous interpretation accessible to organizations of all sizes through software solutions.
How Selah Translate Uses Simultaneous Interpretation
Selah Translate provides AI-powered simultaneous interpretation with sub-500ms latency. The system captures speech, transcribes it using advanced speech recognition (Soniox), translates it using neural machine translation, and optionally converts the translated text to speech using OpenAI's text-to-speech engine — all in near real time. This makes professional-grade simultaneous interpretation accessible to churches, conferences, and organizations that previously couldn't afford traditional interpreter services.
Related Terms
Consecutive Interpretation
A mode of interpretation where the speaker pauses at intervals to allow the interpreter to translate what was said before continuing.
Real-Time Translation
The instant conversion of spoken or written language from one language to another as it occurs, with minimal perceivable delay.
Speech-to-Text (STT)
Technology that converts spoken language into written text in real time, also known as automatic speech recognition (ASR).
Machine Translation (MT)
The use of software to automatically translate text or speech from one language to another without human involvement.