Remote conference interpreting using ISDN videotelephony: A requirements analysis and feasibility study

The introduction of videocommunications via the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) offers the potential of significant changes in the working conditions of a variety of professions including conference interpreters. A study was conducted aiming at identifying the special videocommunications requirements of professional conference interpreters and establishing whether ISDN videotelephony offers a sufficient audio bandwidth and image resolution to support the interpreters in their work. To this aim, a requirements analysis was conducted and four videotelephony systems were set up each implementing a different ISDN combination of audio bandwidth and picture quality. Five professional interpreters took part in the study. Each performed a simultaneous interpretation task of 30 minutes under each of the four conditions (set-ups). Stimulus material to be interpreted consisted of videotapes of conference presentations and TV interviews.