Is someone speaking, or reading?
While someone speaks
Interpretation
For a conference, lecture or khutbah, the audience needs the meaning while the speaker is still talking.
A written document
Translation
For a report, contract or article, a translator works from the finished text. Baian’s tools are built for speech and recordings.
The American Translators Association explains the difference between translation and interpreting ↗.
Does the speaker need to pause?
With simultaneous interpretation, the interpretation follows the speech. With consecutive interpretation, the speaker pauses for the interpreter.
Decide how the audience will receive it, too. They might need spoken interpretation through headphones, translated text on a screen, or both. Test the chosen format with the people attending.
Where do translated subtitles fit?
A recording gives you time to prepare and review the translation before anyone watches. The translated words become subtitles, with start and end times matched to the video.
Baian’s live tool is for an event in progress. Its caption tool makes subtitle files from a recording. Neither workflow replaces a translator working on a written document.
Common questions.
What is the difference between an interpreter and a translator?
An interpreter works with spoken language. A translator works with written text. For a live talk, you need interpretation; for a document, you need translation.
What do I need for a multilingual event?
For people to follow a speaker in another language as they talk, use live interpretation. Baian sends the translation to attendees’ phones as text, with audio available in supported languages.
What if I only need subtitles after the event?
Use the recorded audio or video with Baian Caption Tool. Choose your languages and download timed SRT subtitle files.