What is simultaneous interpretation?

Short answer: a very challenging but extremely interesting cognitive task. A long answer: Simultaneous interpretation is sometimes called “simultaneous translation” but this is incorrect. Translation is working with written text and interpreters work with oral speech.

Imagine wearing a headset and repeating in your native language what you hear. This is the first step students who want to learn the skill take. Now imagine that you do it in a foreign language, add technical terminology  (subdermatoglyphic, anyone? Or rotavator?) Add a fast speaker who does not use his own native language, add unfinished sentences and try to say all that in a different language without any mistakes and with correct pronunciation and grammar. Most importantly – do not lag behind the speaker by more than just a few words. Great workout for your brain.