Why do interpreters work in teams of two during long proceedings?
Whether simultaneous or consecutive, interpreting is mentally taxing and requires much more concentration than that required for ordinary speaking. One research panel equated the stress level involved to being more severe than that experienced by a neurosurgeon while operating. Furthermore, studies show that significant errors in meaning of interpreted words tend to occur after 30-45 minutes of continuous simultaneous interpretation. For these reasons many international agencies, including the United Nations and the European Commission, require rotation of interpreters every 30 minutes.
