The Role of Official Document Translation in International Events

Last Updated On: December 30, 2021 by The Migration Translators

There are a whole host of international activities that take place today including business conferences, climate conferences, trade conferences and human rights conferences. Each one of the conferences depends on understanding to be a success.
Most events depend on interpreters and translators who competently ensure everybody attending a conference has a full understanding of what is being discussed through official translations of official documents.
It wasn’t too long ago that the United Nations General Assembly officially adopted a resolution which recognised the role professional translators play in linking nations while encouraging understanding, peace and development. In this resolution it declared that September 30th is to be the UN’s International Translation Day. This date actually marks the feast of Jerome who was a historian and Roman priest. He remembered for his achievement of initiating the first translation of the bible into Latin from Hebrew. In 2015 the United Nations General Assembly recognized multilingualism for how it has promoted the achievement of United Nations goals.

Official Document Translations

There are many different types of documents that benefit the international community when they are translated and shared. These include the following:

• scientific documents;
• technical documents;
• literary work.

Immediate official translations at key international events mean that the researchers and writers are able to share their discoveries with the international community without having to pre-arrange translations. This is also relevant to those giving keynote speeches which are of significance to the international community. Interpreters who provide their services for international events are quick to translate word for word what speakers are saying so there is no interruption to the speeches. They sit out of sight and use ear phones and communication tools that enable those who want to hear the speech in that language can access it without disturbing anyone.
Interpreting and translation services for international events
Great communication is necessary for the success of any type of event. In the world today multilingual events have become more and more commonplace but language barriers may easily hold up the success of an international event. Key to organizing any kind of conference, sporting event or even a film festival, then a reliable translation and interpreting service is essential to make sure that communication throughout the event is flawless and every participant manages to share the message, document or information s/he presents.

Document Translations Before an International Event

If international participants are expected at an international conference, translations will be required prior to the event. These include:

• delegates invitations – in key languages, that match the event’s style and tone;
• e-mail correspondence to international delegates and their organisations;
• translation of the conference website into the required languages;
• conference programmes;
• conference-related logs and event notices provided for both web bulletins and e-notice boards
• Simultaneous interpreting at an international event

This is the real-time communication that is used at international events. It is sometimes referred to as conference interpreting and it requires specialised skills where teams of at least two interpreters are required for each language. Each interpreter takes his/her turn at a set interval. The process of sharing listening and delivery makes sure there is uninterrupted accuracy of the translation. A pair of interpreters typically uses electronic systems to convey messages simultaneously to delegates who are wearing either headphones or ear pieces when the presenter or the participant is engaged in speaking.
After the international event has taken place a post-conference e-communication is likely to be dispatched thanking the international delegates who attended the event. This should be made available in the languages of the international delegates.