Chuchotage is simultaneous interpreting without a booth. I sit or stand next to you and whisper the rendition directly into your ear. No cables, no receivers, no setup time. Just language, delivered precisely where you need it.
When chuchotage is the right choice
Board dinners where one guest doesn't speak the room language. Factory tours with a visiting delegation. Court hearings, notarial appointments, bilateral meetings at conferences. Any situation where one or two people need interpreting and a full booth setup would be overkill.
How it works
I position myself next to you, slightly behind, and render the speaker's words in near real time at a low volume. It is essentially simultaneous interpreting, just without the sound-proof booth and headsets. My voice stays just below the room volume so it doesn't disturb other participants.
Limits and honest advice
Chuchotage works for a maximum of two listeners. Beyond that, a portable interpreting system (Bidule) or a full booth is more practical and fairer to everyone in the room. Sessions longer than 45 minutes require a second interpreter, same as in the booth. I will tell you upfront if another format is more suitable.
Equipment: none or light
In its purest form, chuchotage needs zero equipment. For noisier environments or slightly larger groups, a portable tour guide system (Bidule) with a handheld microphone and a few receivers does the trick. I can bring one or connect you with a tech partner.
Languages
German and English in both directions. For other language pairs, I assemble teams from my VKD/BDÜ network.