Simultaneous interpreting in a booth may be ‘one-way’ or ‘two-way’.

One-way booth

In a one-way booth, the interpreters work only in their active language.  That is, they translate from one or more passive languages into their active language active language.

For example, if there are three working languages at a Congress (Spanish, Italian and French), there will be three booths, one for each language.

Two-way booth

In a two-way booth, the interpreters work from and into their active languages.

If, as in the above case, the working languages are Spanish, Italian and French, only two booths will be needed, one for interpreting into French and Spanish, and the other for interpreting into Italian and Spanish.

The two-way system

• Guarantees a magnificent quality of interpreting, because the professionals are fully identified with the subject matter of the congress and do not miss anything.

• The two-way system costs less because the same service is offered by less interpreters.

• Requires thorough knowledge of the working languages by the interpreter, both comprehension and expression.