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Interpretation Languages
by Format and Location
Language coverage depends on the format
The number of languages Maven covers is not a single fixed figure. It depends on the interpretation format, on whether the interpreter works remotely or on site, and on which interpreters are based in the city where the event takes place.
Remote formats reach the widest range of languages. On-site work follows the local interpreter pool, which is broad for consecutive interpretation and narrow for simultaneous interpretation. This page sets out what is available in each case.
350+ languages on demand
Phone and video interpretation, including rare and endangered dialects, connected in minutes.
On-site consecutive
Locally based interpreters for the local, regional and government languages of each market.
On-site simultaneous
A smaller pool of conference-trained interpreters that follows regional demand.
Remote simultaneous (RSI)
Interpreters connect from their home countries when a language is not available locally.
Maven matches the interpretation format to each project, balancing local interpreter availability, event logistics and speed of delivery.
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On-demand & consecutive
On-Demand and Consecutive Interpretation
On-demand phone and video interpretation covers more than 350 languages, including rare and endangered dialects. Sessions run remotely, so a specialized interpreter can be connected in minutes, without advance booking.
On-site consecutive interpretation follows local demographics and historical demand. Locally based interpreters are available for the primary local, regional and government languages of each market.
Community interpretation is the exception: locally based interpreters can also be engaged for rare languages.
Where an in-person assignment calls for a language with no interpreter on the ground, Maven recommends the remote format.
More on on-demand interpretation and consecutive interpretation.
On-site consecutive interpretation follows local demographics and historical demand. Locally based interpreters are available for the primary local, regional and government languages of each market.
Community interpretation is the exception: locally based interpreters can also be engaged for rare languages.
Where an in-person assignment calls for a language with no interpreter on the ground, Maven recommends the remote format.
More on on-demand interpretation and consecutive interpretation.
Simultaneous
Simultaneous Interpretation
Why fewer languages are available:
- Simultaneous work requires specialized conference training.
- The number of qualified interpreters is small, and so is the number of languages they cover.
- Local talent pools follow a region's geopolitical and commercial priorities.
- A language in steady local demand has resident interpreters. A language outside that demand often has none.
Languages covered by resident interpreters:
- Official languages of the country
- Regional languages
- Languages in steady local demand
Interpreter hubs
Interpretation Hubs
Conference interpreters cluster in cities anchored by diplomatic bodies, treaty organizations and international courts. Languages that are scarce elsewhere can be staffed from these hubs.
Geneva and Brussels: seats of UN and EU institutions, with some of the largest concentrations of conference interpreters for European, Middle Eastern and diplomatic work.
London and Berlin: commercial and transit crossroads with many interpreters for legal, corporate and financial work.
New York: anchored by UN Headquarters, a base for less common language pairs and diplomatic work.
Bangkok: home to UN ESCAP and a regional base for East and Southeast Asian languages and regional dialects.
Geneva and Brussels: seats of UN and EU institutions, with some of the largest concentrations of conference interpreters for European, Middle Eastern and diplomatic work.
London and Berlin: commercial and transit crossroads with many interpreters for legal, corporate and financial work.
New York: anchored by UN Headquarters, a base for less common language pairs and diplomatic work.
Bangkok: home to UN ESCAP and a regional base for East and Southeast Asian languages and regional dialects.
Languages Outside Regional Demand
When an event requires a language outside regional demand, simultaneous interpreters for that language are usually not based locally. Maven covers these events in two ways.
Traveling interpreters: qualified simultaneous interpreters are brought in from the nearest city or country.
Remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI): the event audio is connected to interpreters working from their home countries. This gives full simultaneous coverage without travel, hotel, daily subsistence allowance (DSA) or visa costs.
More on simultaneous interpretation and remote interpretation.
Traveling interpreters: qualified simultaneous interpreters are brought in from the nearest city or country.
Remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI): the event audio is connected to interpreters working from their home countries. This gives full simultaneous coverage without travel, hotel, daily subsistence allowance (DSA) or visa costs.
More on simultaneous interpretation and remote interpretation.
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Maven's approach
How Maven Staffs Each Project
Maven has offices across three continents, so interpreters are based in more than one region. Locally based, qualified interpreters are always the first choice. This keeps projects cost-effective and avoids unnecessary expenses.
Regional hubs: when a local shortage occurs or interpreters for a specific language are not available on the ground, qualified interpreters are brought in from neighboring markets or regional hubs. The project is not subcontracted to third-party vendors.
Remote delivery: when travel is not practical or time is tight, remote interpreters are deployed immediately from Maven's global network, so coverage starts without delay.
Regional hubs: when a local shortage occurs or interpreters for a specific language are not available on the ground, qualified interpreters are brought in from neighboring markets or regional hubs. The project is not subcontracted to third-party vendors.
Remote delivery: when travel is not practical or time is tight, remote interpreters are deployed immediately from Maven's global network, so coverage starts without delay.
Relevant cases
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Frequently Asked Questions about Interpretation Languages
How many languages does Maven cover?
It depends on the format. On-demand phone and video interpretation covers more than 350 languages, including rare and endangered dialects.
On-site consecutive interpretation covers the primary local, regional and government languages of each market. On-site simultaneous interpretation covers fewer languages, because it relies on a small pool of conference-trained interpreters.
On-site consecutive interpretation covers the primary local, regional and government languages of each market. On-site simultaneous interpretation covers fewer languages, because it relies on a small pool of conference-trained interpreters.
Which languages are available for on-site simultaneous interpretation?
The official and regional languages of the country, and languages in steady local demand, are covered by resident interpreters.
For other languages, qualified simultaneous interpreters travel from the nearest city or country, or work remotely through remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI).
For other languages, qualified simultaneous interpreters travel from the nearest city or country, or work remotely through remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI).
Why are fewer languages available for simultaneous interpretation than for consecutive interpretation?
Simultaneous interpretation requires specialized conference training, so the number of qualified interpreters, and the number of languages they cover, is limited.
Local talent pools follow a region's geopolitical and commercial priorities, which is why availability differs from city to city.
Local talent pools follow a region's geopolitical and commercial priorities, which is why availability differs from city to city.
What happens when no interpreter for a language is based near the event?
For consecutive assignments, Maven recommends the remote format, by phone or video.
For simultaneous assignments there are two options: interpreters travel from the nearest city or country, or the event uses RSI, with interpreters working from their home countries and no travel, hotel, DSA or visa costs.
For simultaneous assignments there are two options: interpreters travel from the nearest city or country, or the event uses RSI, with interpreters working from their home countries and no travel, hotel, DSA or visa costs.
Can rare languages be interpreted on site?
In community interpretation, locally based interpreters can be engaged for rare languages. In other on-site formats it depends on the local interpreter pool.
Where no interpreter is available on the ground, on-demand phone and video interpretation covers rare and endangered dialects remotely.
Where no interpreter is available on the ground, on-demand phone and video interpretation covers rare and endangered dialects remotely.