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18 The Linguist Vol/65 No/2
ciol.org.uk/thelinguist
Gabriele Mack and Amalia Amato report on new research
highlighting the risks of working in interpreting booths
Booths are an emblem of conference interpreting.
Although they constitute a relatively new working
environment – for many centuries interpreting was
performed consecutively – and remote interpreting is
booming, they are still the most common working
environment for conference interpreters. For this reason
it is worth exploring their possible impact on interpreters'
health and wellbeing. International standards are a
relevant reference in this respect. The first ISO standard
on permanent booths was issued in 1974; the last
updates
1
set the requirements and recommendations for
both permanent and mobile booths. This concerns:
• Location: room characteristics, accessibility, siting and
visibility, technical control and technical support staff.
• Booth interior: colours, lighting, work surface, storage
space, electricity supply, internet access, furniture,
video display.
• Amenities: toilets, interpreters' room.
• Design: dimensions, doors, windows, acoustics,
ventilation, cable passages, language displays.
For built-in booths, the ISO standard also mentions
heating and air conditioning, including provisions on air
velocity, temperature, humidity, soundproofing and
requirements for sign language interpreting when carried
out in a booth and broadcast to an audience. For mobile
booths, there are specific provisions on mass/handling,
transport/storage, sound insulation and absorption.
The big questions, though, are if and how standards
are implemented. Where interpreters have some
bargaining power, as in large organisations, standards are
generally complied with. Getting detailed information
about the private market is much more difficult, but
studies conducted in different years and countries confirm
that booth ergonomics and environment are indeed an
issue.
2
Interpreters should therefore be aware of the
health challenges they face when working in a booth.
Enter at your own risk?
SUBSTANDARD
CONDITIONS
Interpreters Marcos
Randulfe (top) and
Karl McLaughlin
(above) work in varying
booth environments
