Interpretation (verbal translation) is a notion that incorporates all kinds of translation that involve verbal formulation, including such independent forms of translation as consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpretation and translation of the spoken text. Verbal interpretation includes translation of a written and spoken text.

Consecutive interpretation is a verbal translation of a message from one language into another after listening to it. Contrary to simultaneous interpretation, whereby no special pauses are made in the text for translation and the interpreter speaks almost simultaneously with the speaker(with a little time lag), by consecutive interpretation an interpreter speaks in pauses between sentences or parts of a text.

Consecutive interpretation as a rule is used during negotiation meetings of state and political public figures, at press conferences, in work of different commissions.

The process of consecutive interpretation differs from the process of written translation or simultaneous interpretation. An interpreter waits until the speaker finishes their speech and then makes a translation of the speech to the audience. For keeping and rendering of key information, simplifying their work and reducing load upon their memory interpreters use contracted notation of speech (known as the «translators notation»). Naturally an interpreter uses abbreviations; he or she doesn't note word forms and functional words. Such outline is not literal. The goal is to write down the key words of every sentence, dates, names etc.

For performance of consecutive interpretation the professional competence of an interpreter (a list of knowledge and skills) shall include such components: 

- linguistic competence (knowledge of the source language and the language of translation);
- communicative competence;
- translating competence (translating skills)
- technical competence (ability to work with information)
- personal characteristics (a developed memory)

Hereby first three components are common for all kinds of translation, and the latter two are specific for consecutive interpretation.

A consecutive interpretation of the whole text after listening to it is a sign of high proficiency of an interpreter who fulfills their task at the top level. Unlike simultaneous interpretation that advances linearly, copying the structure of an outgoing message, consecutive interpretation is not a word-by-word rendering of a source text but its more or less free interpretation. In consecutive interpretation there are no "logical gaps". No translation company shall undertake responsibility for a translation if a customer doesn't give an interpreter their lecture materials in time.

Another important thing for consecutive interpretation is establishing psychological contact with the audience. If a translator has carefully prepared for the interpretation and their interpretation skills are overall good, then their quick precise question to the speaker are perceived favourably by the audience, because the audience is interested in accuracy and completeness of an interpretation. The most convenient for an interpreter and audience are logical pauses between not large but logically complete parts of text or sentences.

It is very important to establish contact with the audience from the very beginning. If you speak into a microphone, then before beginning of interpretation you should say a few words to the audience; for example, you may explain that you are an interpreter and ask whether they hear you well. The audience than will adjust themselves to your voice and become accustomed to it.

Besides in the interpreter's profession the interpreter's voice plays an important role. An interpreter's voice should sound distinctly and confidently and reach the remotest corners of the hall (if the interpretation is performed in a lecture hall). It is not easy to get your voice trained properly and if an interpreter feels that they are speaking too softly or too loud, they shall train their voice. It is advisable that they take several lessons of "stage speech". A proper voice training is important not only for listeners to hear an interpreter well, but also for an interpreter themselves -- if their voice isn't properly trained, it soon hoarsens and the interpreter cannot work and speak for a long time.

An interpretation in all its kinds is preformed under the circumstances of acute time shortage, that's why besides knowledge of the language and professional skills an interpreter is required to have a considerable self-possession and psychical equilibrium.

A good knowledge of the language, self-possession, communicability, professionalism are the principal professional traits of our interpreters.