interpreter booths are used at a multitude of events throughout the world, ranging from prestigious governmental and non-governmental organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Commission to Fortune 500 companies, international non-profits and local grassroots organizations.
interpreter booths create an acoustic separation between different languages spoken simultaneously and from the speakers' voices when the interpreters and the presenters are all in the same room.
the booths are designed to accommodate one or more interpreters, as well as the interpreter consoles and microphones that are part of the language distribution system used to transmit the translation of the spoken words.
most private events do not warrant the use of an ISO booth as it would be impractical or too costly. In the private sector it is common to use non-ISO light weight mobile or ultra-mobile interpreter booths as meetings tend to last from a few hours to a few days.
interpreter booths are used at a multitude of events throughout the world, ranging from prestigious governmental and non-governmental organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Commission to Fortune 500 companies, international non-profits and local grassroots organizations.
interpreter booths create an acoustic separation between different languages spoken simultaneously and from the speakers' voices when the interpreters and the presenters are all in the same room.
the booths are designed to accommodate one or more interpreters, as well as the interpreter consoles and microphones that are part of the language distribution system used to transmit the translation of the spoken words.
most private events do not warrant the use of an ISO booth as it would be impractical or too costly. In the private sector it is common to use non-ISO light weight mobile or ultra-mobile interpreter booths as meetings tend to last from a few hours to a few days.
interpretation booths that meet the requirements set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are considered ISO certified interpretation booths. ISO standards are recognized, accepted, and implemented worldwide and exist to guarantee the quality, safety, and reliability of industry products and services.
the standards for ISO booths were conceived to improve the working conditions of staff and freelance simultaneous interpreters operating day-in day-out in work spaces at publicly funded institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations. A Better design of the booths improves the working conditions for these professionals, which in turn, results in a better experience for the users of simultaneous interpretation services.
in other words, using ISO certified interpreter booths can benefit organizations that consistently employ simultaneous interpreters for events, conferences, and meetings.
ISO booths are suitable for organizations and event spaces where simultaneous interpretation is a part of daily operations with sufficient floor area to accommodate fixed interpreter booths or large mobile booths.
there are two types of ISO-certified interpretation booths, as specified by the relative standards:
the ISO standards dictate parameters for things such as booth construction, dimensions, ventilation, lighting, safety measures, as well as booth placement within the venue.
the international standard for the planning and construction of fixed interpretation booths, ISO 2603, was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in conjunction with the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and the staff interpreters of the European Commission. ISO 2603 sets out minimum standards for new and renovated booths. Organizations such as the United Nations tend to make every effort to comply with the latest version of the relevant standards.
full isolation interpreter booths that are ISO 4043 certified as a standard accommodate two interpreters. While the ISO categorization defines these booths as "mobile", we categorize them as "semi-portable" because their particular construction makes them much heavier and cumbersome to transport. They are made with heavy sound-isolating materials that meet the ISO 4043:1998 or ISO 4043:2016 standards for mobile interpreter booths. They feature a modular panel system s. To meet the DIN 56924 norm the booth can be fitted with optional double glazing.
the ISO 4043 International Standard is an adaptation of ISO 2603 to meet the needs of transport and handling of mobile booths to be used in halls not equipped with built-in booths.
the aim of this International Standard, prepared at the request of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and the Joint Service Interpretation-Conferences (JSIC) of the European Commission (EU), is to provide optimal conditions for simultaneous interpretation using mobile booths. The booths are free-standing self-contained units, assembled from modular components, that isolate the interpreters from sound from the proceedings in the room and between two or more simultaneously interpreted languages.
the main features of mobile booths, distinguishing them from built-in (fixed) booths, are that they can be dismantled, moved and set up inside the conference room. Still, as compared to non-ISO booths, mobile ISO booths are constructed with heavier materials, are more cumbersome to transport and take up more space.
booths that can be moved but are used on the premises and stored near conference rooms should be designed to conform as closely as possible to the ISO 2603 built-in booths standard.
the design of an ISO mobile booth is governed by four requirements:
iProbe offers consulting for the design, selection, fabrication and installation of interpreter booths. Professional consulting on ISO requirements and international regulations is offered to System integrators, AV consultants, and other organizations planning for simultaneous interpretation booths in their existing or new facilities.