Simultaneous interpreting equipment.  

Advanced simultaneous interpreting equipment is mostly used in the Federal Court system.

State and local courts don’t usually have advanced setups where interpreters can share a console while sitting at a desk. These are usually reserved for United Nations-type setups where interpreters sit in a sound both and speak into microphones connected to a console.

We call the device that is connected to the headsets and microphones a “console”. These consoles allow us to press the mute button whenever we need to ask our booth partner a question or when we need to cough, for example.

In federal court, you do have the same advanced equipment and even though a few courtrooms also have half-booth setups (these are partial booths with only 3 walls as opposed to 4 walls and a door), most courtrooms just have the interpreter console and the interpreter headsets sitting on a desk, shared by two interpreters who take turns interpreting.

Many federal courts in remote areas with little foreign population may not have dedicated desks for the interpreters, instead, they may have a limited setup, with no console, and maybe a mic or a wireless portable transmitter.

In fact, it has been my experience that the courts of southern Texas, even though they have the largest volume of Spanish speakers nationwide, still use the portable transmitters successfully, they have not installed console, and they have no need for the consoles, given the way they operate in those courtrooms.

Other than the federal courts you may request that we provide you with complimentary wireless portable equipment for your trials and mediations. Just ask if this service is available in your area.

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