1. Interpreting Tools Barbara Werderitsch
Hello everybody, (SMILE) I am a conference interpreter and technical translator and today I am here to discuss new interpreting technology.
Barbara Werderitsch

2. A New Frontier Technology in Interpreting
24/7 hours Wi-Fi and available services, (smart) tech at home, work, leisure
How will traditional interpreting equipment evolve?
New technological solutions to deliver interpreting anytime, everywhere – really?
With 24/7 hours Wi-Fi and available services and 8 out of 10 people using a smartphone, new technological solutions are surfacing, affecting all aspects of our lives, so:
How will traditional interpreting equipment evolve?
New technological solutions claim to deliver interpreting services any time, everywhere – What I am here to discuss is the (INTONATION) „Really“?? (Intonation, Make face)

3. Reading articles…
In my endeavour to understand what the latest interpreting technologies are, I read articles or listened to speeches –all highly interesting -of several authorities on the field…
… Common Sense Advisory (second one on slide), Cryil Flerov and Barry Slaughter Olsen just to name a few…
DO NOT YET MENTION Interpreting Think Tank

4. What is what?
Interpreting delivery platforms (IDPs): applications designed to support the delivery of spoken- word language services, including
OPI: Over the phone Interpreting
VRI: Video Remote Interpreting
RSI: Remote Simultaneous Interpreting
MI: Machine Interpreting
Reading any article we could lay our hands on, we came to understand that not only new tools are being created but also that each tool creator or provider gives it his own name.
In one of the just shown articles we came across the useful term Interpreting Delivery Platform, in short, IDP, an application supporting the delivery of spoken-word language services, EITHER THROUGH;
Over-the-phone Interpreting (DO NOT USE ACRONYMS!!!!!)
Video Remote Interpreting
Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (Interprefy only simul. Only audio, Headvox not OPI, but both consecutive and simultaneous through video)
Machine Interpreting
But, really, which technology is behind these offered services? How, to whom and by whom are they offered?

5. Interpreting Think Tank
Given the need for more information, we reached out to the community online and created a LinkedIn group specifically to discuss and research interpreting technology -
- this is how the Interpreting Think Tank under the Translation Commons Umbrella was created four months ago.
Today, we are more than 130 members from all over the world, all highly committed to our professional careers and fully engaged in forging the future of interpreting.
We are many freelancers, many conference and community interpreters, several professors, project managers, tool creators, Company Owners, students and researchers, truly representing the variety of players in our Interpreting Community.
Interpreting Think Tank
130 members
Freelance Interpreters, Professors and Lecturers, Project Managers, Tool Creators, Company Owners, Students & Research Associates

6. Technology-related Discussions
For the last 4 months we have all been engaged in an enormous amount of lively discussions sharing experiences and knowledge for this new technological frontier in our profession.
As U can imagine, the post “Skype Can "Translate" Your Voice Calls in 10 Languages” triggered a bit of a discussion.
The article in the middle with the unhappy Smiley discusses a post questioning the viability of simultaneously interpreting highly technical content without a booth AND with a lot of background noise
Well, just take a look at the facial expression of the woman interpreting , this is Roberta, she regularly writes uplifting articles about interpreting that usually put a smile on any interpreter’s face.
“Remote Interpreting: Feeling our way into the future”
Bottom right corner, a discussion about an alternative conference interpreting equipment for up to 60 participants conceived for onsite use.
This picture here, discussing the big advancements in the field of Virtual Reality
Top right corner, a video about holoportation, described by Microsoft as a new technology allowing 3D models of people to be reconstructed, compressed, and transmitted anywhere in the world in real-time so that participants could interact remotely in 3D.
What became appallingly clear… was the need for more data

7. ITT Main Objectives Research Awareness Gather Data:
What tools are out there?
What platforms and technology?
How do they work?
What are the problems?
Gather Data:
Who uses what?
What are the users attitudes?
What do non-user interpreters know about them?
So, the ITT main objectives are focussing on GATHERING DATA in two main areas:
Research on tools, platforms, how they work, any related issues/challenges, first-hand experiences
And we also need to know who the users of these new technologies are, who has adopted them and why, what non-users know about them.

8. Research 4 members, 200 hours, 100+ websites, 50+ articles
After 100+ websites, 50+articles and 200 hours of research
4 members, 200 hours, 100+ websites, 50+ articles

9. Research 1 Types of Tools and Platforms
Client-centric:
Remote Simultaneous Interpretation app capable of offering attendees multiple languages/interpreters
Software that allows the use of attendees phones instead of traditional equipment
Contact and Call Centers
LSP‘s offering their technology only to their clients
We reached the conclusion that there are client-centric tools and platforms centered around the client, as for instance Remote Simultaneous Interpreting applications offering atttendees human interpretation into multiple languages.
Furthermore, we learned of several software solutions allowing the use of attendees phones instead of traditional receivers (e.g. Interprefy)
A popular trend seems to be connecting the contact and call centers with interpreting platforms.
(Explanation: emergency, electric services were the first OPI services in the US in the 70s? Now also, gas, utilities, doctor’s office (public-sector or funding involved, need to offer multiple language services)
We also found that some LSPs offer their technology exclusively to their own clients. (e.g. Lionbridge)

10. Research 2 Types of Tools and Platforms
Interpreter-centric:
Video Remote and Over-the-Phone Intepretation via mobile app, accessible to freelancers
Scheduling and assignment apps for freelance interpreters exposure and organization
Many other tools and an array of useful features
As opposed to client-centric platforms and tools there are Interpreter-centric ones, allowing freelance interpreters deliver their services remotely either over the phone or over video, using an app on their mobile
There is a series of schedulding, exposure and assignments apps for freelancers available.
Many other useful tools and features are provided, such as preparation time cutting tools helping the interpreter do the necessary research before an assignment, e.g. allowing quick set-up of terminology, glossaries, use of them in the booth in conference mode.
There are tools and features to record the interpreter‘s work time, do the invoicing, reminders and so on
A the top of my head/by heart , I cannot say, why don‘t you come to the Translation Commons Booth.
OR: I will need to look into my notes for this information, pls come to the Translation Common Booth and we will go through it.

11. Research 3 Interpreting Delivery Platforms
For client, LSP and interpreter use through login
Some Platforms are open to LSPs to use
Some Platforms are solely for clients of the supporting LSP
Some Platforms are only OPI and some offer VRI and RSI
Examples: Boostlingo, Globo HQ, Headvox, ZipDX, Mastervoice, Catalava, Interprefy, GeoFluent Interpreter by Lionbridge
MI: Lexifone, Waverly Labs (not interpreting)
(intonation!) Let‘s dive deeper now and try to get better understanding of the availabe Interpreting Delivery Platforms:
NEVER USE ACRONYMS
Some of them, for example Vonage Bussiness, offer only Over the phone interpreting, others, for example Headvox (hear and interact, two way conversation) provide Video remote, and/ remote simultaneous interpretating
Some allow a two way conversation (He, others only hearing, no interaction. (Interprefy, 1-way?)
There are those open both for individual interpreters and agencies – such as Boostlingo and Interprefy
WHEREAS OTHERS (e.g. Globo HQ, Lionbdrige)
are soley for clients of the supporting Language Service Provider (¿¿ is this the same as to say only open for their clients?)
Whereas others, for example Boostlingo, as just mentioned are open for other Language Service Providers to use.
On top of that some offer extra features/tools for Scheduling, tracking., updates of clients contacts and others
Two examples of Machine Interpreting, but what it really is is voice recognition, machine TRANSLATION, and voice generation
Boostlingo US Monthly Subscription, OPI use, NO glossary, OPI call tracking, appnts scheduling Client generates calls from it. All calls get quality feedback from client. Access to interpreters in over 200 OPI languages, 17 VRI. Limited to operations??, no vocabulary support. Agency/Company tool, not for individuals
Others are open to LSPs to use (e.g. Globo). (Arturo has becoime a LSP bc thourgh acquisition of boostlingo tool he gained access to interpreting in 200+ languages and video.) (and sometimes to interpreters needing multiple language interpreting)
whereas
Jeannette, should it not better Interpreting Delivery Platforms, since we introduce the term on slide?

12. Research 4 Interpreting Tools
Some Tools are for OPI use, some for VRI
Some Tools are solely for scheduling
Several solutions to substitute (cost-cutting) traditional Conference Interpreting Audio Systems (booth) using attendee smartphones
Example: Linguali
Having covered the platforms, featuring multiple tools under one environment, let‘s now have a look at the independant interpreting tools:
Some Tools are for over the phone interpreting (e.g.Vonage Busines), others for Video remote interpreting use (Headvox, Boostlingo).
Some are both for consecutive and simultaneous use (Headvox), others not
Some are only for scheduling interpreting services
Many cost cutting alternatives to traditiional conference interpreting equipment (booth) are being provided, mostly to provide remote simultaneous interpretation and depending on solution even switching options for „virtual booth mates“ and some allowing two way conversation (interaction with audience). There does not seem to be a lot of information about sound compliance but at least some are definitely targeting a professional public.
As opposed to remote conference interpreting solutions, the “conference interpreting suitcase” from Linguali is conceived for ONSITE use, the hardware varies for each of the three possible interpreting configurations, but I will get mention the hardware a bit later
GENERALLY, he use of the attendees smartphone to replace traditional receiving equipment is a BIG trend as we have observed visiting a significant number of Interpreting Delivery Platforms for remote interpreting.

13. Research 5 Business Tools
Mostly interpreters’ own accounts
Some Tools are for OPI: Skype, Viber
Some Tools are for VRI: Skype, Hangout,
Other mobile chat forms: WhatsApp
Some Tools are solely for scheduling, research, and interpreter preparation
As for tools employed for business, we learned that interpreters use
Skype both for Over the phone and video remote interpreting
WhatsApp and Viber are also in use
We also learned about preparation time cutting tools helping the interpreter to prepare himself, do the research, create and manage multilingual glossaries for a specific assignment, look them up in Conference Mode in the booth, interactive features with the Web to search terms directly in reference texts.
NOT SAY SURVEY, NOT YET INTRODUCED
(Gmail address is not an account, Skype account IS)
InterpretBank is an intuitive terminology tool to create and manage multilingual glossaries. It supports easy glossary sharing with colleagues, you can keep your database in the cloud (DropBox, OneDrive, etc.) and access it from several devices (your PC and laptop), you can easily import and export your data, it helps you to create your glossaries by means of automatic translation and connection with your favourite online terminology databases, and much more. It has a powerful conference modality called ConferenceMode for looking up glossaries in the booth, and an easy to use tool to memorize terms. To help you preparing a new assignment, it can interact with the Web to search for translations and definitions or look up terms directly in your reference texts. A brand new version (4) is coming out in the next months. So stay tuned!

14. Research 6 Equipment - Hardware
Any device that will connect to online platforms
Smartphones as speaking or hearing devices, tablets, computers
Smartphones Landlines and headsets
Wireless Router, (USB) Microphone, headphone splitter and microphone aggregator, XLR Adapter, any regular audio equipment (Linguali)
The hardware used to connect to online interpreting delivery platforms interpreting equipment varies from tablets to computers and smartphones.
Any device that connects to online platforms can be used, Over the phone interpreters can use their landlines and headsets.
In the case of the conference interpreting briefcase Linguali as mentioned before, the 3 different setups (Basic or bidule/Infoport, Basic with Headphones and the most complete, Integration with Sounddesk) require different Hardware, such as
Basic very similar to bidules or Infoport, the interpreter listens to the speakers in the room without any headphones and speaks quietly into their microphone.
Basic with headphones
In the basic with headphones configuration, the interpreter listens to the speaker through a microphone connected to mobile device running Linguali-IS and with the microphone activated. The interpreter can then hear the speaker very clearly in their headset.
Sound desk integration (in that configuration it has been used at NATO headquarters)
The sound desk configuration allows the interpreter to hear every speaker / microphone directly from the sound desk as is the case when working in a booth with a complete conference set up. Simply plug a mobile device into the sound desk XLR output using the XLR adapter cable, launch Linguali-IS and activate the microphone.
USB Microphone / Headset
It is important to ensure that you have a good quality, directional microphone that picks up your voice as clearly as possible, while ignoring other ambient sound.
Sennheiser PC 131 Binaural Headset with Volume Control and Microphone Mute
microphones aggregator: Rode Microphones SC6 Dual TRRS input and Headphone Output for Smartphones
output splitter: 1 Male to 2 Female 3.5mm Y Audio Splitter Headphone Adapter
XLR Adapter
It is incredibly simple to integrate Linguali-IS with a sound desk. Just plug a mobile device running Linguali-IS into a sound desk using the CableJive ProJive XLR and activate the microphone and you get crystal clear sound straight into your headset, it’s like being in a booth! This cable retails for less than €40 Euros, is lightweight, easy to carry and a must to get the best out of Linguali-IS!
…More Accessories
You can go further with Linguali-IS configurations to improve sound quality and for specific working environments. Because Linguali-IS runs on a PC and mobile devices, any regular audio equipment is compatible, so you really can try anything and find what works best for you. Here are a few configurations and accessories that we have tested.
iRig Pre
The iRig allows you to plug in a professional dynamic cardioid microphone into your PC microphone Jack. It amplifies that sound and provides the power that is required for this type of microphone. The iRig costs approximately €40 and can be very useful if you choose to use dynamic microphones for either listening to speakers or for your own voice.
Dynamic Microphone
Dynamic microphones as used by singers and in professional audio studios provide excellent sound quality. They require and XLR adapter (see iRig) to be used effectively and can be for both speakers and interpreters. If you choose to use a dynamic microphone make sure that it is unidirectional, this means that it will only pick up your voice and not other sounds.
Our reference: Sennheiser E825-S Handheld Cardiod Dynamic Microphone with On/Off Switch (or equivalent)
(The app Olyusai only works in areas where…. Whereas for example Linguali uses WiFi)
Lavalier / Lapel microphone
The lavalier microphone can be a great advantage when listening to a speaker that moves around the room. Simply connect to a connected mobile device running Linguali and plug in the lavalier microphone and you will be able to hear the speaker clearly, wherever they are!

15. Research 7 What are the use cases for tools and platforms?
OPI is best used: One-to-one meetings
Community and healthcare settings
Personal communications
VRI is best used: One-to-one meetings
Business settings
Healthcare
Courts
Conferences
RSI is best used: Government (EU)
So where are the different tools and platforms used?
We learned that OPI is best used in Community settings, very often in healthcare, also in prisons?XX, where it tends to be increasingly displaced by VRI which is also used for conducting business and web conferencing.
RSI examples??

16. Research 8 … and some of the problems...
Unified Naming and Categorization
ZipDX: audio conferencing platform
Mastervoice: cloud interpretation
Lexifone: MI but it‘s really MT
OPI is no longer over the phone only
Provided Information on Technology
LSPs offering OPI and VRI but mention no specific technology.
Formal Research and Analysis
every tool and platform is an island,
out there on its own …
What we have found is that there are some problems. It seems that most tools and platforms are out there on their own like this lonely island.
One of the reason I say this is that while defining earchparameters for our research we could not get lot of info out of it and we saw that no unified naming existed.
For instance, the web conferencing platform ZipDX calls itself „audio conferencing platform“, Mastervoice names talks about cloud interpretation, Lexifone offers voice recognition plus machine translation and calls it machine interpreting
It rather difficult– to get to know what the technology behind a platform or used for OPI or VRI IS. LACK OF TRANSPARENCY
There is no formal research or analysis of any data freely available for us.

17. Awareness
As for the awareness, what do interpreters think?

18. Awareness 1 What do interpreters think?
Some Good
Some not so Good
“Let us, as interpreters, not go down the slippery slope which has led to our fellow professionals – translators – being turned into trudge laborers subjected to utter indignities like “percentages of repeated terminology,” payment by the word (something not seen since the days of Penny Dreadful), and copyright belonging to translation memory owners!”
“Thanks for sharing that. I completely agree with all he said and especially the final Bill Wood quote: "Interpreters will never be replaced by technology. They will be replaced by interpreters who use technology.”
Some interpreters‘ reactions were positive, one quoting Bill Wood saying that in any case, interpreters will never be repkaced by technology but by intepreters using technology, saying that interpreters should not go down the same road as the translation industry with translators getting paid „percentages of repeated terminology“

19. Survey on Technology Awareness
Given the need for more empirical data, we started an Survey on Technology awareness addressing interpreting professionals,, it is still ongooing, out of the 85 respondents sofar 85% were interpreters, the rest company owners.
COUNTRIES
In the next few slides highlights
Just so you know, some questions offered to choose all the applicable answers.
Survey on Technology Awareness
Ongoing survey by Survey Monkey
85 respondents so far
85% interpreters – 15% Company Owners
Global reach

20. The respondents interpret:
Many have been over-the-phone-interpreters, over 70% conference interpreters, slighlty under 30% Community interpreters.

21. Other than voice, notepad and pen, they use:
The employed tools to deliver the interpretation are
Telephone with almost 60%
There are interpreters and companz owners that are dinving into new methods of performing interpretation services.
Hybrids

22. I have used apps that reduce conference interpreters’ preparation time for an assignment :
A fifth use apps to reduce conference interpretersß preparation time for an assignment

23. Tools and apps are provided by:
Here we see that tools and apps are mostly provided by the client or the agency though a third of interpreters provides them himself.

24. I think that new technology for Interpreting is:
51 % of the respondents judge
and 30% consider it absolutely necessary

25. Advancements in Technology can benefit the industry by:
64!!!
50% think it can provide a welcome alternative to travelling long distances, even more think of them as an option to engage new clients unable to pay for travel
43 environment conditions while interpreting
So it could allow us to have more free time or….!!! as 38% believe

26. Regarding the risks of new technology, I feel:
FOCUS ON BIGGER NUMBERS
44% are cautiously optimistic
wanna be involved … also scored big
34% beleive new technology will lower the rates

27. The role technology will play:
It will benefit the interpreter by reducing preparation and commute.
It will be detrimental to quality.
It will make interpreting services available to more people.
We will miss the non-verbal cues.
Technology is dependent of stable internet and power, who pays when there is a cut-off?
There will be more need for specialization fields for interpreters.
It will provide faster and more accurate support to interpreters.
Technology will give interpreters using is an edge over the ones not using it.
Some respondents provided us with their personal attitudes concerning the future role of technology.
Reducing preparation and commuting time, making interpreting available to more people, faster and more accurate support to interpreters were mentioned.
technology will be detrimental do quality was another statement.
Another respondent points out that interpreters will miss the verbal clues, well not necessarily. As mentioned before, many of the platforms and tools do include the verbal clues through VRI.
Studies carried out in healthcare settings provided by an ITT member confirm not only interpreters, but also patients prefer Video remote to over the phone interpreting because of the verbal clues.

28. Interpreters wish-list:
Tools or apps to organize preparation documents.
More training on new platforms and tools.
An instant voice-activated dictionary as an electronic tool.
Better quality of audio on remote connections.
Stable internet and less tech-related problems.
Speech-to-text capabilities to identify terminology.
Professional indemnity covering tech break-down.
Quality monitoring by agencies.
Better audio quality on remote connections is one personal wish expressed, another respondent states Speech.to text capabilities to identify terminology, (breath) quality monitoring by agencies and more training on new platforms and tools are also on the wish-list.

29. in moving forward… Technology for interpreting is only now emerging.
We believe that together we can shape the creation of better tools, so please, whoever is here present from the automation providers, reach out to us in moving forward shaping the future of interpreting.
THANKS A LOT.
in moving forward…
Technology for interpreting is only now emerging.
Interpreters are eager to embrace it and help its roadmap.
We ask all automation providers to talk with us and allow us to help.
Together we can create better tools!