The difficulties facing interpreters were highlighted today at a press conference for Condoleezza Rice. Forgetting that consecutive interpreters wait for a speaker to pause before translating, she spoke for five minutes without a break, leaving the interpreter struggling to take notes when it became apparent she wouldn’t stop. ‘Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry, I forgot!’, she said when she realised what was happening. When the interpreter then tried to convey her remarks into Russian, Rice – who speaks the language fluently – commented, ‘Close enough’. If you’re not sure whether you need a simultaneous or a consecutive interpreter, please don’t hesitate to call us now to discuss your requirements.