Service · Whispered interpreting (chuchotage)
Whispered interpreting: the interpreter right beside the person who needs it
When only one or two people in the room do not speak the language, a booth makes no sense. In whispered interpreting, the interpreter sits next to the listener and interprets in a low voice, at the same time as the speaker. The meeting keeps its pace and nobody else notices.
In short
What whispered interpreting is
Whispered interpreting (chuchotage) is simultaneous interpreting delivered in a low voice, with the interpreter next to one or two people, with no booth and no receivers. The name comes from the French chuchoter, to whisper.
It is the right mode for a foreign guest in the audience, an executive in a bilateral meeting, or a board member following a shareholders' meeting in another language. To choose between whispered, simultaneous and consecutive, see our comparison of the three modes.
When to use it
Where whispered interpreting works
Bilateral meetings
A foreign executive or official follows the meeting without interrupting everyone else's conversation.
Guest in the audience
A foreign speaker, investor or partner attends an event held in Portuguese with the interpreter alongside.
Boards and AGMs
Directors from abroad follow board meetings, shareholders' meetings and committees.
Site visits
Factory, construction site, lab or field project visits, with the interpreter walking with the delegation.
Negotiations and due diligence
Confidential agendas where the team wants no booth and no technician in the room.
Hearings and depositions
A foreign party or witness follows the proceedings in real time.
Limits
When whispered interpreting is not the best choice
Whispering works because it is discreet, and stops working when it can no longer stay discreet. Signs that it is time for another setup:
- More than two listeners: the interpreter would have to speak up and disturb the room. A portable whisper/tour-guide kit, with a transmitter and receivers, keeps the voice low and serves the whole group.
- Noisy room or large audience: in auditoriums, an ISO 4043 interpretation booth isolates the interpreters and the audience listens through receivers.
- Several languages at once: each language needs its own channel. The answer here is on-site simultaneous interpretation.
- The listener will also speak: if the foreign guest asks questions or gives a speech, the interpreter switches to consecutive for those moments, or the event adds an audio channel for the audience.
How we work
What STIB takes care of, before and during
- Conference interpreters, with the same training as booth interpreters. The team includes members of AIIC, SINTRA and ABRATES.
- Preparation: the agenda, slides and participants' names reach the interpreter in advance, with a sector glossary.
- Position in the room: the interpreter sits beside and slightly behind the listener, hearing the speaker clearly without blocking anyone's view.
- Turn-taking: on long days, two interpreters alternate, as in the booth.
- Confidentiality: NDAs whenever the agenda requires.
- Plan B: if the group grows on the day, the portable kit solves it without a booth.
Whispering is also at the core of our work on international business missions, together with consecutive interpreting.
Pricing
What drives the cost
There is no fixed rate card: the price depends on the whole setup. The main factors are the language pair, duration and number of days, whether two interpreters are needed, the venue and travel and, when the group calls for it, the portable kit. Send the date, languages and number of listeners, and STIB returns a firm quote within 24 hours.
Technical terms are explained in our interpretation glossary.
FAQ
About whispered interpreting
What is whispered interpreting?
It is simultaneous interpreting delivered in a low voice, with the interpreter seated or standing next to one or two people who do not speak the language of the meeting. It is also called chuchotage, from the French chuchoter (to whisper). No booth or receivers are needed.
How many listeners can whispered interpreting serve?
One or two. Beyond that, the interpreter would have to speak up and would disturb the people around. For small groups, the answer is a portable kit with a transmitter and receivers, still without a booth.
Does whispered interpreting need equipment?
No. The interpreter speaks directly to the listener. In noisy rooms or when the group grows, STIB brings a portable whisper/tour-guide kit, which keeps the voice low and reaches everyone through headphones.
How long can one interpreter work in whispered mode?
Whispering takes the same effort as booth interpreting, with a restrained voice and no booth insulation. One interpreter may be enough for short engagements; for long days STIB assigns two interpreters who take turns.
What is the difference between whispered and consecutive interpreting?
In whispered interpreting the interpreter speaks at the same time as the speaker, so the meeting does not get longer. In consecutive interpreting the speaker pauses and the interpreter repeats each segment, which roughly doubles speaking time.
Where in Brazil does STIB provide whispered interpreting?
STIB works on site in São Paulo, Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Campinas, with its own logistics for other state capitals, and accompanies delegations on missions abroad.
Next step
Tell us who needs the interpreter
Date, venue, languages and how many people will listen. STIB will tell you whether whispering is enough or a portable kit is better, and send a quote within 24 hours.
São Paulo · WhatsApp
+55 11 91777-6227Brasília · WhatsApp
+55 61 99848-9988Phone
+55 11 2110-2548