What does it take to make communication feel effortless? For conference interpreter Manuela Degenkolb, the answer lies in everything that happens before anyone starts speaking. Thorough research, subject-matter knowledge and careful preparation enable interpreters to convey meaning, nuance and intention accurately.
More than 25 years of conference interpreting
With more than 25 years of experience as a conference interpreter, Manuela has worked for international organisations, courts and multinational companies.
Her assignments have ranged from highly technical product launches to witness hearings at the Peace Palace in The Hague — settings in which every word matters.
But what people rarely see is the preparation.
Preparing like a subject-matter expert
“We are not experts in the subject,” Manuela says, “but we prepare as if we want to become one.”
Terminology lists, research and context all help the interpreter understand what will be discussed. This preparation ensures that when the moment comes, communication can flow naturally.
And when it does, something interesting happens.
“I am most proud when people forget that we interpreters are there. That means communication is running smoothly.”
When conference interpreting becomes almost invisible
That is the paradox of professional conference interpreting: when it is done well, it almost disappears into the background.
Participants can concentrate on the conversation without having to think about the interpretation. Reaching that point requires much more than fluency in different languages. It demands accuracy, empathy, modesty and the ability to convey the speaker’s style and personality.
The human dimension of interpreting
As artificial intelligence develops, this human dimension becomes increasingly important. Interpreting is not simply about transferring words from one language to another. It also involves nuance, intention, trust and human judgement — particularly in settings where confidentiality and precision are essential.
Those qualities cannot be fully automated.
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