Simultaneous interpretation is spoken translation in real time: as soon as the person speaks, the words are translated into the target language and conveyed orally by the interpreter. Simultaneous interpretation is one of the most arduous types of translation, because it demands the application of multiple skills at the same time: concentration, attention, the ability to split attention, prioritizing certain content over other content, touch typing ability, quick understanding, agile and clear thinking, the ability to seamlessly convert from one language to another and to separate the wheat from the chaff, while performing other tasks. The interpreter must also have a sound grasp of cultural context and colloquial or regional language use, and should be familiar with the field involved in the assignment.
Even professional interpreters find simultaneous interpretation very challenging and invest significant resources in order to ensure that the result meets the required standards. There is no room for compromise when selecting an interpreter.