In the last few weeks, I have noticed a real bidule trend while working for different clients, albeit in the same field: fashion presentations. On these occasions, companies present their collections for the following seasons. How do the meetings take place? Sometimes they start with a real show to introduce the collection, other times the garments are worn by the models only to be presented and described individually. An overview of the brand and the market situation is often provided, including data on turnover and sales trends in the various countries. The lookbooks are then analysed to describe in detail the various items of clothing and accessories in the collection: tops, shirts, knitwear, trousers, skirts, jackets, outerwear, bags, shoes, belts, and socks. For every single item, materials, construction details, price positioning (wholesale and retail) and market strategy are specified. A complex and articulated work that requires time and the utmost attention of the participants.

The best interpreting technique, in this case, happens to be the bidule: a practical and versatile system similar to that of the audio guides we use in museums. All you need fits in a briefcase: a receiver with headphones and a transmitter with a microphone for the interpreter, a transmitter for the speaker and a receiver for each of the participants who, this way, can listen to the translation in the desired language. By setting the right frequencies, there will be no overlapping between the speaker and the interpreter, thus ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted presentation.

Discover here how small this device can be!

PROS AND CONS

In such situations there is no real physical booth in which the interpreters are going to work, isolated from the outside world, but they remain in the same room where the meeting takes place, sitting at a safe distance from the rest of the audience so as not to disturb. As in whispered interpreting, the translation is actually whispered, but this time into a microphone: for this reason, care must be taken to keep a low tone of voice so as not to overlap the person giving the presentation. We should remember that the disturbing factors can be of various kinds: people moving around in the room or talking to one another, background noises, interferences from audio devices. These work situations are therefore very tiring for all these aspects, even if they are now establishing themselves as a much “smarter” and more flexible method as they do not require additional spaces or further facilities coupled with the assistance of an audio technician. Furthermore, they allow you to move freely and be able to work in different settings on the same day without having to install different booths (or having to move them) within the same event. Often the space available does not allow the installation of the traditional booth for simultaneous interpreting, which is definitely bulky even if compact, so this is a perfect solution to overcome physical obstacles. This system can also be used if the interpreting must be carried out in several languages: by selecting different channels, the audience can tune in to the language they want to hear.

Clients now seem to prefer to adopt this type of equipment to avoid dead times (which would occur, for example, with the consecutive interpreting technique for which the speech is delivered at a later time). In this way, work times are reduced, while still being able to offer a translation in real time. Furthermore, from an economic point of view, the bidule system proves to be the ideal choice also because it allows costs to be significantly reduced. A more than valid motivation at a time when it becomes essential to pay attention to the budget. The bidule system can also be an excellent solution when you need to have foreign agents or clients visit your company, for which the need for freedom of movement forces you to choose this type of system. Think if a speech had to be given orally, or with the help of a microphone, amidst the noises of a factory and perhaps within a group of 30 people: being able to listen to the translated voice through headphones certainly makes the experience more relaxing and satisfying for everybody.

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Until recently, I mainly used this system for just one client of mine in the furniture industry, accompanying the architects and store managers on a discovery of the different methods and production stages, as well as the various departments of the company. The bidule system has always allowed me to carry out this type of interpreting service accurately and without any problem. Now, it seems that the possibilities for using this type of system are practically endless and more and more clients are requesting this service.

In short, the bidule system is the right compromise to offer real-time translation by breaking down the physical barriers created by traditional systems. The world of interpreting is constantly changing over time thanks to new technologies: what will the future hold for us? The bidule trend definitely seems to be the first of several other steps.

Here you can discover all the interpreting services I can offer.