From above definition, readers can easily find that there are some differences between consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting. Firstly, the working environment .The consecutive interpreter has direct contact with both parties while the simultaneous interpreter should stay in a special room--interpreter's booth, listening to the speaker through earphones and then convey the interpretation version to earphones of listeners, in other words, such contact with speakers is indirect. Secondly, the device needed is different.
As far as characters of working, interpretation includes conference interpreting, foreign affair interpreting and community interpreting, etc. Conference interpreting means "Doing simultaneous interpreting in various international conferences which not only include conferences held by such international organizations as UN or EU, but also include conferences held by sectors of governments, corporations and academic organizations. Foreign affair interpreting means "Providing consecutive interpreting for bilateral parties, no matter it is a state meeting, a business visit or academic communication .As long as both parties cannot communicate directly, they must ask help for interpreters. Community interpreting means "Providing interpreting for hospitals, police offices or other community sections .However, community interpreting in China is not as commonly seen as it is in western countries where there are more immigrants. Take the court interpreting as an example, if one trial in Beijing is involved in a foreigner who cannot speak Chinese, then the judiciary must appoint a qualified interpreter to ensure the smooth implementation of the judicial process.
Furthermore, as far as working time, interpretation is composed of full time interpretation and part time interpretation. Some interpreters take interpreting as their life career, they serve for special translation/interpretation agencies which are managed by government sectors or international organizations. (eg, the interpreter's booth of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs).Some take an active part in fields of interpreting as free-lances. The rest are those who have their full-time jobs as teachers, secretaries and just work as temporary interpreters at their free time. They are called part-time interpreters.