Conference interpreters are specialists in oral communication whose specialised training and perfect knowledge of one or several foreign languages and cultures mean that they are able to render, in another language, all the subtleties and nuances of an often highly technical discourse in any field whatsoever.
Simultaneous interpreters work in rooms equipped with interpretation booths.
Members of the audience can listen to the language of their choice by means of individual earphones. The work is carried out by a team of interpreters. Although simultaneous interpretation is principally used for major conferences and television, it can also be chosen for seminars and work groups. It is often chosen when there is a small number of participants, or for business negotiations, round table discussions, business lunches, etc. Although conference interpreters are not usually required to intervene personally in the subject being discussed, they would not be able to speak about the properties of the electronic controls of a missile head, or the latest progress in ocular surgery or the quibbles involved in an international draft treaty, without a solid basic knowledge of the subject.