Linguistic fluency, the ability to take decisions at lightning speed, exceptional general knowledge and the capacity to perform under pressure: these are just some of the basic skills required for simultaneous interpreting.
However, being a skilled interpreter does not only mean being a good simultaneous interpreter, but primarily having a talent for multilingual communication. A skilled interpreter will not only excel when working in the simultaneous interpretation booth, but also when interpreting consecutively or as liaison interpreter in face-to-face political or business meetings which can be extremely tricky at international level.
“Simultaneous interpreter“, just like the term “interpreter”, is not a legally protected professional title.