100 years of technology in conference interpreting

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Only a few years after the birth of multilingual multilateral diplomacy, one of its main challenges has become evident: the consecutive translation of speeches into different languages is not only difficult, but also time consuming.

In 1926, entrepreneur turned philanthropist Edward A. Filene from Boston suggests solving this problem through technological means. The first trials of what is then called telephonic translation, allowing for the real-time rendition of speeches in different languages, are carried out at the 8th International Labour Conference in Geneva, ushering in a new era of technology-assisted conference interpreting.

100 years later, together with the International Labour Organization, the University of Geneva’s FTI is co-hosting a multi-stakeholder conference aimed at looking back over the technological developments that have marked this profession, and discuss the trends that will set the course for its future.