Simultaneity and Dynamic Equivalence in Interpreting: Developing Clear, Meaning-Focused Interpretations

This session focuses on two key areas that can significantly improve your interpreting: simultaneity and dynamic equivalence. Through a mix of theory, discussion, and practical activities, we’ll look at how interpreters can move away from English-led, linear interpreting and towards clearer, more accurate representations of the source message.

Whether you’re working in conferences, community settings, ATW bookings or performance interpreting, simultaneity and dynamic equivalence are tools that can help you deliver more natural, meaning-based interpretations for your clients.

What We’ll Cover:

• Simultaneity: Understand what it is and how to use it effectively to show layers of meaning at the same time — for example, combining spatial use, classifiers, and non-manual features in a way that mirrors the source content more naturally.

• Dynamic Equivalence: Explore how to move away from word-for-word interpretation and instead aim for “thought-for-thought” — prioritising what the message is doing over how it’s structured.

• Practical Activities to Support Skill Development: Take part in focused activities designed to help you try out new techniques and apply ideas from the session in a practical way. You’ll also have the chance to work with other interpreters, share experiences, and reflect on different approaches together.

Who Is This For?

This session is ideal for sign language interpreters at any stage who want to strengthen their decision-making and improve how they reflect the meaning, tone, and intent of the source language — especially in more complex or layered interpreting scenarios.

What You’ll Gain:

• A clearer understanding of how simultaneity and dynamic equivalence work in real-life interpreting

• Techniques to help move beyond surface-level interpretation and improve message clarity

• A chance to reflect on your own interpreting decisions in a supportive group setting

If you're looking for ways to refine your interpreting and shift towards a more meaning-driven, responsive style — this course is for you