The Linguist

30 The Linguist Vol/60 No/5 2021 thelinguist.uberflip.com INSTITUTE MATTERS prove that conferences could not just survive in these unprecedented times, but that they could thrive. We had been carrying out research into RSI since 2017, and at the beginning of the pandemic we had started a strong RSI campaign with our existing clients. We began to conduct presentations and demos so that they could experience how well the service could work. It was important that everybody kept their technical specifications updated and that there was regular training. During a period of uncertainty, there were bound to be changes, and we provided the hosting platforms with feedback from both clients and interpreters so that meetings could continuously improve. It might come as a surprise to some that such changes now look set to stay. There is a lower demand for in-person meetings, with more people looking for online training. Online events run for more days than their physical counterparts but for fewer hours each day, because sitting in front of a screen is more tiring than attending in-person. We're also seeing greater participant numbers as there's no physical space limit. That means we are able to engage more interpreters and cover more language combinations. Online events require greater planning and set-up, because both participants and interpreters have to be tech savvy, but Like everybody, I found myself caught somewhat off-guard by the spread of Covid- 19. A service that had traditionally relied on bringing together lots of people, conference interpreting was brought to a grinding halt. Even before the pandemic, many people in the language industries saw conference interpreting as one of the more high-profile, niche services, and the shut-down of face-to- face events only compounded that viewpoint. As an LSP (language service provider), Oncall Interpreters faced complex and wide- ranging challenges. The biggest was the lack of in-person conferences, which led to an undercurrent of market uncertainty. Many people weren't aware there was an alternative to traditional conference interpreting: remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI). What's more, those who did have an understanding of RSI were reluctant to use it. This was made worse by the fact that, often, neither interpreters nor clients had the appropriate technical requirements in place for RSI. Frequently their internet connection was unstable and their hardware wasn't up to date. Then there was the question of security: would hosting conferences online lead to potential security risks? There was also a distinct absence of standards and protocols for RSI. As an LSP, we were determined to overcome these obstacles. We wanted to Evi Xydia outlines how major language service providers have coped with multiple challenges during the pandemic, and as restrictions are lifted people are becoming increasingly familiar with such requirements, supported by experienced RSI technicians. The major constraint of traditional conference interpreting – the need to fly in interpreters from around the world – has been removed. This enables recruitment from a truly global pool of specialised talent. Provided you invest the time to train your interpreters, RSI offers really exciting recruitment opportunities. The future of conference interpreting and RSI likely lies in a hybrid format: events conducted both on-site and online. RSI is more accessible than standard conference interpreting, but market growth can only come with the involvement of the main stakeholders (simultaneous interpreting associations, LSPs, EU bodies) in the creation of standards. In today's environmentally-conscious world, RSI also offers a greener option. While many may want to appear at events in-person, just as many will be happy to engage from afar, saving on money and emissions. So, is the industry different now? Yes, unquestionably. But is this industry also now more accessible? Absolutely, and that's a great thing. This article is based on a talk at the CIOL Interpreting Division's 'Interpreting During and After the Pandemic' event. Evi Xydia is Oncall Interpreters and Translators' conference services interpreting manager. Covid complications for LSPs © SHUTTERSTOCK

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