A discussion about translation services, translators, and translation software

Expert simultaneous interpreters can reproduce over 90% of the meaning of a speech in the target language.  Even so, why risk loss of meaning?  Why not translate the speeches (and other conference materials) in advance?

Whenever possible, the speeches for an international conference should be submitted to the interpreters in advance, at the very least to allow them to become familiar with the vocabulary to be used.  Better still, the speeches could be translated into fluid text that the interpreter can read until/if the speaker departs from prepared remarks.  Best of all, the interpreters and translators could be given the opportunity to speak with the speakers at some point during the preparation phase, to let them know what sorts of things are best avoided: jargon, idioms, references to popular culture, technical terms, poetry and prose in quotation, reading rapidly from texts, lists of names and numbers, etc.  A speech doesn't need to be neutered or murdered--just made ready for an international audience.

As a college student, I was given the opportunity to interpret, with some friends, for an international training session.  The organizers, despite their good intentions, were woefully unprepared to address an international conference.  For example, they handed out written materials--in English only--and invited discussion.  As a result of that experience, I prepared a thesis paper entitled, 'Worldspeak: Preparing to Address an International Audience."  It's gathering dust somewhere in my files, but the ideas are still good ones, and gained by sad experience.