What is meant by "team interpreting"?

Team interpreting refers to the practice of having two interpreters collaborate during an interpreted event to enhance both accuracy and manage interpreter fatigue. This approach allows one interpreter to take the lead while the other provides support, switching roles as needed. Team interpreting is particularly beneficial in situations that are lengthy or emotionally taxing, as it helps to maintain the quality of the interpretation and ensures that the interpreters can perform at their best without becoming overly fatigued.

In this context, having two interpreters enables them to rely on each other's strengths, provide a more nuanced understanding of the dialogue, and offer each other support. This practice is commonly used in various interpreting settings, such as conferences, medical appointments, and legal proceedings, where the complexity and length of the material can be challenging for a single interpreter to manage effectively over time.