We have gathered the most common questions from people hiring simultaneous interpretation in São Paulo and across Brazil. The answers come from lingo's 21 years of events, from board meetings to international congresses. For a specific topic, use the FAQ shortcuts at the bottom of the page.
Basics
What is simultaneous interpretation?
The interpreter translates in real time without interrupting the speaker. Participants listen through a receiver in their chosen language. It is the format used at congresses, board meetings, roadshows and M&A negotiations, because it preserves the pace of the original speech. See the full guide in what simultaneous interpretation is.
What is the difference between simultaneous and consecutive interpretation?
In simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter works in a booth and speaks almost at the same time as the speaker, with no pauses. In consecutive, the speaker stops and the interpreter translates afterwards, which usually doubles the meeting time. The full comparison is in simultaneous vs consecutive.
When is simultaneous interpretation the best choice?
It is the best choice when the event has a large audience, a packed program, several languages at once or a need to keep the pace of presentations. In small meetings without a tight schedule, consecutive may be enough. lingo helps you decide before the quote.
Why are two interpreters needed per language?
Simultaneous interpretation demands maximum concentration, and quality drops when a single professional works for too long. That is why interpreters work in pairs and rotate every 20 to 30 minutes, following the rotation set out in ISO 2603. While one interprets, the other follows along, notes numbers and provides support.
How many languages can I have at the same event?
Each target language takes its own channel and its own booth. lingo's digital RF transmitter supports up to 32 channels, which comfortably covers most congresses. The number of languages affects the quote, because each language requires two interpreters and a booth.
Human interpreter and AI interpreter
What is the difference between a human interpreter and AI?
The human interpreter is a professional with 21 years of experience at lingo and works at high-stakes events. The AI interpreter was trained on real lingo booth transcriptions across 24 sectors. It is recommended for standardized technical content, such as training sessions and webinars.
When is it worth using lingo AI?
lingo AI is an economical alternative for recurring corporate events, such as quarterly training sessions, webinars with foreign speakers and standardized technical content. For sensitive negotiations, such as M&A and due diligence, the recommendation remains the human interpreter.
How do lingo AI credits work?
Credits never expire. This lets you contract per event or through an annual package. Activation takes 24 hours, and the automatic quote is generated in 60 seconds. Specific questions about the AI are in AI interpreter FAQ.
Which sectors does lingo AI cover?
The AI was trained on vocabulary from 24 sectors and 222 subsectors, built over 21 years of live simultaneous interpretation. The list of sectors is at sectors we serve.
Equipment and booths
What does the equipment rental include?
The standard kit includes digital RF transmitters, wireless receivers with headphones, an ISO or portable booth, an interpreter console, a microphone and an on-site sound technician throughout the event. The details are in equipment rental in São Paulo.
Does the portable kit include a technician?
No. The portable kit (up to 30 people) does not include a technician. The ISO booth includes a technician. In lingo's complete rentals, the on-site technician arrives 2 to 3 hours before the start, sets up, calibrates and stays on site during the event.
What is the difference between an ISO booth and a portable booth?
The ISO booth has 30 dB of acoustic insulation, forced ventilation and room for two interpreters, and is recommended for long, formal events. The portable one sets up in 30 minutes with no tools and suits meetings and due diligence. The comparison is in ISO vs portable booth.
How many receivers do I need to rent?
The rule is one receiver for each person who needs to listen to the interpretation. If the whole audience is foreign, that is 100% of participants. At bilingual events, the usual estimate is 50 to 70%. lingo has more than 2,000 receivers available. The step-by-step is in how to choose equipment.
What is the range of the transmission system?
The digital RF transmitter reaches up to 150 meters, passes through obstacles and does not require line of sight, unlike infrared. It supports up to 32 simultaneous channels without interference between them, and AES-128 encryption prevents the audio from being intercepted.
What is the QR code link?
A link each participant accesses on their phone to hear the interpretation. Requires Wi-Fi at the venue. It is an alternative to the physical receiver at events where the venue's network is stable.
What happens if a piece of equipment fails?
Every kit includes on-site backup: at least 10% extra receivers and a spare transmitter. The technician makes the swap in less than 2 minutes, without interrupting the event.
Does lingo rent equipment without the interpreter service?
Yes. lingo rents equipment with or without a lingo interpreter. When the event has its own interpreters, lingo's technician installs and operates the system.
Quotes, lead time and hiring
How does the automatic quote work?
You fill in the form with languages, duration and number of participants. The system generates the quote in 60 seconds and sends the PDF by email and WhatsApp after your email is confirmed. To start, go to the 60-second quote.
Can the quote amount change later?
No. The quote amount is the final amount on the invoice. That is why the form asks for all relevant information up front, such as languages, duration, number of participants, booth type and need for a site survey.
What is the minimum lead time to hire?
For events in São Paulo, lingo can deliver with 48 hours' notice. For large events, with 500 or more receivers or several languages, we recommend booking at least 1 week in advance.
What affects the price of simultaneous interpretation?
The main factors are the number of languages, duration, number of participants and receivers, booth type and the need for a site survey or a second technical team. The breakdown is in how much simultaneous interpretation costs.
Is there a travel fee in São Paulo?
No. Across Greater São Paulo, travel, setup and dismantling are included in the quote. For events in other cities, round-trip freight is itemized separately in the quote.
Event preparation
What information does lingo need to prepare the interpretation?
The essentials are the languages, date, duration, number of participants and venue. The sooner the organizer sends the program, presentations and attendee list, the better the interpreters' preparation, since they study the topic and vocabulary before the event.
How do the interpreters prepare for the event's topic?
Interpreters receive the material in advance and consult the sector glossary. Technical terms, acronyms, company names and numbers are organized before they enter the booth. At M&A events, this includes project names and financial and legal vocabulary.
Does lingo carry out a technical site survey at the venue?
At medium and large events, the technical team visits the venue to define booth placement, check the sound system and identify installation needs. Even without a survey, sending the floor plan or photos of the room speeds up planning.
When does the technician arrive on site?
The technician arrives 2 to 3 hours before the start of the event to set up, calibrate and test the system end to end with the interpreters. The portable booth sets up in about 30 minutes, and the ISO booth requires 2 to 3 hours and a technical team.
Where should the booth go in the room?
The booth should be placed to the side or at the back, with a clear view of the stage and the projection screen. No pillars or people blocking the line of sight, and no blocking emergency exits. The technical team advises on the ideal placement in each venue.
Online and hybrid events
Does lingo serve online events?
Yes. Remote interpretation (RSI) works on platforms such as Zoom, Teams, Google Meet and Webex, with the interpreter on a dedicated platform and the audio delivered on channels by language. See remote simultaneous interpretation and platforms.
How does interpretation work at hybrid events?
At hybrid events, the interpreters' audio feeds both the in-person audience's receivers and the online broadcast. The technician integrates the system with the video platform. The format is at hybrid events.
Confidentiality and security
How does lingo protect confidential information?
lingo signs an NDA valid for 5 years when the contract requires formal confidentiality. On the equipment side, the transmitter's AES-128 encryption prevents the audio from being intercepted by external equipment, which matters in M&A, due diligence and board meetings.
Does lingo serve competing parties in the same deal?
No. Alex Barros does not accept competing mandates in the same deal. This protects confidentiality and avoids conflicts of interest in M&A transactions and arbitrations.
Languages, sectors and experience
Which languages does lingo serve?
The most requested pairs are Portuguese with English and with Spanish. We also serve Mandarin, Japanese, Hebrew, Dutch, Hindi, Indonesian, Russian, Vietnamese and Korean. The full list is at languages we serve.
Which sectors does lingo cover?
lingo covers 24 sectors and 222 subsectors, from finance and M&A to agribusiness, technology, healthcare and industry. Each interpreter receives the sector glossary before the event. See the glossary and the sectors page.
How long has lingo been operating?
lingo was founded in 2005 by Alex Barros, a simultaneous interpreter, and has 21 years of experience in São Paulo. Learn the story at about lingo.
How do I talk to the team?
The fastest way is the automatic quote. For specific questions, talk to a specialist on WhatsApp. The site assistant explains the service and builds the quote in minutes.