Interpreting
Interpreting is spoken communication: The interpreter fluently and accurately conveys the content of the speaker’s words to another person. The interpreter is well familiar with the culture associated with the language and promotes interaction between people who speak different languages.
Interpreting is used in many situations: At international conferences and seminars, at training courses and company visits. There are two types of interpreting: Simultaneous (the interpreter speaks at the same time as the speaker, sitting in an interpreter booth or whispering into portable equipment) or consecutive (the interpreter speaks when the speaker finishes). Sometimes whispered interpretation is done with the interpreter sitting next to the client and whispering while the speaker is speaking, i.e. simultaneously.
Authorities such as the police, courts, social services and hospitals can also require interpreting. In all interpreting situations, the interpreter is always neutral and is bound to confidentiality.
Read more about interpreting:
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/scic/index_fi.htm