Remote interpreting is convenient, but sound quality matters even more than it does in person. If I cannot hear every word clearly, I have to ask for repetition and the conversation slows down. These steps help a phone or video session run smoothly.
Set up the room and equipment
- Use a quiet, private room where you will not be interrupted or overheard.
- Wear headphones with a microphone. They usually sound much clearer than a laptop or a phone on speaker.
- Check that your internet connection or phone signal is stable.
- On video, put the camera at eye level and make sure your face is well lit.
Before the session starts
- Agree the platform in advance, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet, or a number to call.
- Send the link or number and test it beforehand.
- Share documents before the session; reading them on a shared screen is much harder.
- Join a few minutes early to check sound and video.
During the session
- Let one person speak at a time. Overlapping voices are very hard to follow remotely.
- Mute your microphone when you are not speaking.
- Speak directly to the other person and pause after two or three sentences.
- If the sound breaks up, stop, and repeat what you said once the connection is back.