Professional interpreters are engaged to enable communication and let delegates of different languages and cultures understand each other. In a conference, a meeting or an event, the interpreters are your allies in conveying your message to the audience. You can help them by following these simple guidelines.

Microphone use
Before you speak, please make sure your microphone is switched on. Without a microphone the interpreters cannot hear you, so if you need to move away from your seat, i.e. to point at a slide or transparency projection, please use a neck or lapel microphone.

Speak in your own mother tongue
If the corresponding interpreting service is available, please always speak in your mother tongue. Interpreters' work will be easier, and your presentation more effective and involving.

Do not read out a paper
A presentation to be read aloud is most of the time heavier and less effective than addressing your audience directely, speaking with your normal voice, with the aid of some notes or visual support.

Hand the written material available to the interpreters
If you have a written text for your speech, whether or not you intend to follow it closely, please hand it for distribution to the interpreters. Interpreters should familiarize themselves with your subject and terminology whenever possible. You are free to depart from your text or add to it as you go along. Interpreters are bound by professional secrecy, and the content of your document will remain confidential at all times and will be returned to you on request.

Think about your speed
When reading from a script one tends to speed up which means that the audience will find it difficult to follow and, as a result, parts of your message will be lost. If you have not spoken at meetings with interpretation before, it may be advisable to pace your delivery beforehand. Ideally you should allow 3 minutes per page of 40 lines.

Spell out acronyms
Please spell out all acronyms and abbreviations the first time you mention them in your speech. Together with the documentation you will give to the interpreters, a list of the most used acronyms and abbreviations will be a very useful tool to ensure a quality service.

Audiovisual material
If you wish to show a film, slides or transparencies, please ensure that the interpreters receive the script or a copy of the transparencies. If you wish to receive interpretation for a film you will be screening at the event, please make sure you have given the complete script of the film to the interpreters, or organize a time to let the interpreters watch the video beforehand. Furthermore, in order to be able to interpret a film or a video screened in the room, remember that the interpreters have to receive the audio of the film directely in their headphones.