What does "simultaneous interpretation" involve?

Simultaneous interpretation involves converting a spoken message from one language to another in real time, allowing the audience to hear the interpreted message almost instantly as the speaker is talking. This method is commonly used in settings such as conferences, meetings, and live broadcasts, where it’s crucial for the audience to receive the translation without any delay.

The essence of simultaneous interpretation lies in its immediacy, requiring interpreters to have exceptional listening, processing, and language skills to maintain the flow of communication. This is particularly important in medical settings where timely information exchange can impact patient care.

In contrast, the other options highlight different aspects of communication. Interpreting written messages pertains to translation rather than interpretation, body language interpretation focuses on non-verbal cues which do not encompass the real-time spoken aspect, and understanding messages before interpreting them aligns more closely with consecutive interpretation, where the interpreter takes notes or mentally prepares before conveying the translated message.