Services offeredI provide simultaneous and consecutive interpreting at online and offline conferences, workshops, and meetings in Georgia, the South Caucasus, and Turkey with travel possible to other countries—EU, Balkans, Central Asia, etc.).
I interpret between English, Russian, and Ukrainian in any combination. So basically like this:
Contact me at richard.p.delong@gmail.com for a quote. Let me know the date, meeting format, subject matter, and any other important considerations.
Clients are expected to provide adequate materials information in advance, including agenda, presentations, etc. If this is not possible, at the very least I expect a description of the subject matter and meeting format.
Check out some of the events I have interpreted at over the years.
FAQ
Do you do whispered interpretation (so-called "Chuchotage")?
Yes, but speaking softly and leaning forward for long periods of time is quite a strain, and it is easier to do high-quality work with proper equipment.
Clients are expected to provide adequate materials information in advance, including agenda, presentations, etc. If this is not possible, at the very least I expect a description of the subject matter and meeting format.
Check out some of the events I have interpreted at over the years.
FAQ
Do you do whispered interpretation (so-called "Chuchotage")?
Yes, but speaking softly and leaning forward for long periods of time is quite a strain, and it is easier to do high-quality work with proper equipment.
Can you work with tour guide headsets?
Yes, but it's just like whispering in that you have to speak quietly to be able to hear the speaker, who is not using a microphone. It's tiring and suboptimal, though I understand that sometimes there is no other solution.
Yes, but it's just like whispering in that you have to speak quietly to be able to hear the speaker, who is not using a microphone. It's tiring and suboptimal, though I understand that sometimes there is no other solution.
Do you work online?
Yes, I have now have several years of experience interpreting online, starting in 2017 and increasing in volume after the COVID-19 pandemic. The standard platform used is Zoom because of its advanced interpretation functionality.
Can you work alone if necessary?
Yes, I've had to work alone without breaks for as long as 2-3 hours. However, this is not recommended! Typically interpreters work in pairs, taking turns every 20-30 minutes. If an interpreter ends up working alone, he typically charges double the rate—the same as if two interpreters were working together. Working in pairs helps interpreters avoid exhaustion, help each other in the booth with names, numbers, and terms, and learn faster on the fly. It is better for everyone.
Are your rates lower for consecutive interpretation?
Generally no, though I'm open to negotiating rates. Most colleagues and I agree that consecutive interpretation is not easier than simultaneous. Though you have more time to "think" compared to simultaneous interpretation, your short-term memory is strained to the limit and everyone is looking at you.
Do you have colleagues you prefer to work with in the booth?
Yes, and I can contact them myself about an assignment or refer them to you directly.
Can you refer us to another interpreter if you're busy on a certain date?
Yes, of course.
Generally no, though I'm open to negotiating rates. Most colleagues and I agree that consecutive interpretation is not easier than simultaneous. Though you have more time to "think" compared to simultaneous interpretation, your short-term memory is strained to the limit and everyone is looking at you.
Since you live in Georgia, do you work with Georgian?
My Georgian is currently not advanced enough, in my opinion. However, my goal is to improve enough to be able to add Georgian as a source language in 2025. Then I will be able to translate FROM Georgian INTO English, Russian, and Ukrainian, but not the other way around. I have similar hopes for Turkish, Spanish, and maybe even German, but this takes time and training—a minimum of a few hundred hours of focused practice for each of these languages to reach the necessary level of proficiency and confidence.
My Georgian is currently not advanced enough, in my opinion. However, my goal is to improve enough to be able to add Georgian as a source language in 2025. Then I will be able to translate FROM Georgian INTO English, Russian, and Ukrainian, but not the other way around. I have similar hopes for Turkish, Spanish, and maybe even German, but this takes time and training—a minimum of a few hundred hours of focused practice for each of these languages to reach the necessary level of proficiency and confidence.
Yes, and I can contact them myself about an assignment or refer them to you directly.
Can you refer us to another interpreter if you're busy on a certain date?
Yes, of course.
What about other languages you don't work with?
Yes, I know many conference interpreters in Tbilisi and the region and can refer you to one or more who fit your needs, e.g. Georgian, German, Spanish, French, Armenian, Azeri, Kazakh...
Can you take care of your own travel arrangements?
Yes. This is negotiated with each client individually, and typically some compensation will be expected for time lost due to travel.
Do you interpret on medical topics?
Yes, assuming materials—agenda and presentations—are provided in advance. The same goes for all other highly technical topics.
Do you provide translation, editing, or proofreading services?
Currently I only take on occasional translation work at a fairly high pay rate. I translate Russian and Ukrainian to English and English to Russian. I do not provide editing or proofreading services because I usually end up rewriting everything and regretting that I accepted the assignment:) My passion is interpretation, not translation or editing, so I focus on what I do best.
What about voice recordings and video subtitles?
Yes, I have substantial experience doing both. I have a semi-professional microphone and desktop recording setup and work in GarageBand. For subtitles I've used Amara.org.
Can you take care of your own travel arrangements?
Yes. This is negotiated with each client individually, and typically some compensation will be expected for time lost due to travel.
Do you interpret on medical topics?
Yes, assuming materials—agenda and presentations—are provided in advance. The same goes for all other highly technical topics.
Do you provide translation, editing, or proofreading services?
Currently I only take on occasional translation work at a fairly high pay rate. I translate Russian and Ukrainian to English and English to Russian. I do not provide editing or proofreading services because I usually end up rewriting everything and regretting that I accepted the assignment:) My passion is interpretation, not translation or editing, so I focus on what I do best.
What about voice recordings and video subtitles?
Yes, I have substantial experience doing both. I have a semi-professional microphone and desktop recording setup and work in GarageBand. For subtitles I've used Amara.org.
