How the UN Translates Everything in Real-Time

Summary by Krater

This video explains how interpretation at the United Nations works, covering the six official languages, the team of 120 interpreters, relay interpreting, booth staffing requirements, daily rates, and rigorous preparation and cognitive demands.

From the video

Answers: How does interpretation work at the United Nations?

• UN official languages
• Simultaneous interpretation booths
• Relay system interpreting
• Interpreter staffing and qualifications
• Interpreter preparation and memory load

What it concludes

• UN interpreters translate exclusively into their native language to ensure maximum fluency and precision.
• Interpreter booths at the UN are staffed to ensure each interpreter can cover at least three of the six official languages.
• The relay system allows an interpreter to translate a speech from an uncommon language via a pivot language into another target language.
• UN freelance interpreters earn approximately $666 a day.
• Freelance interpreters at the UN undergo rigorous vetting including three-year testing cycles and a two-year probationary appointment.