Why do interpreters need remote equipment; why can’t they just sit next to the person and whisper?
Imagine if you had to whisper your entire message or presentation to a participant while at the same time listening to someone else speaks. Whispering into someone’s ear is very tiring for more than a short while: the interpreter is forced into an awkward physical position, arched over someone else’s shoulder. Only one ear faces out to the wall of the room, so the interpreter has to strain more to hear the original speaker. Since the speakers often have their backs to the interpreter the close physical proximity to participants causes a false impression of intimacy and partiality. The interpreter is more likely to be interrupted by the listener with questions, comments, or attempts to engage the interpreter in casual conversation. Remote equipment has many advantages: the interpreter has an unobstructed view of the speakers; the interpreter can move if there are audibility problems; the interpreter is free to concentrate on the message without interruption or distraction and the team c
