Which Interpreter Do I Need? Book the Right Interpreter with Confidence
Short answer: The right interpreter depends on the situation: legal, medical, business, notary or private. Each setting requires specific qualifications, terminology and professional standards. Tolk2Go helps you choose and book the correct interpreter quickly and transparently.
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How to Choose the Right Interpreter
Short answer: Choose based on context, legal requirements, and the level of accuracy required. Not all interpreters are interchangeable.
Key factors to consider
- Context: Legal, medical and notarial settings require certified or sworn interpreters.
- Interpreting mode: Consecutive, simultaneous or liaison interpreting.
- Confidentiality: Sensitive situations demand professional ethics.
- Regulation: Some cases fall under national laws (e.g. Wbtv in the Netherlands).
Types of Interpreting Services
Short answer: Below are the most common interpreter types and when to use them.
| Type | When to Choose This Interpreter |
|---|---|
| Conference Interpreting | International conferences, political summits, trade fairs and multilingual events requiring simultaneous or consecutive interpreting. |
| Lawyer / Court Interpreting | Court hearings, lawyer meetings, arbitration and tribunals. Often requires sworn or court-certified interpreters. |
| Notary Interpreting | Passing of deeds, property transfers, company formations and legally binding acts before a notary. |
| Business / B2B Interpreting | Negotiations, trainings, factory visits, board meetings and international trade discussions. |
| Medical Interpreting | Doctor consultations, hospitals, clinics and medical procedures where accuracy and confidentiality are critical. |
| Private / Social Interpreting | Weddings, driving exams, school meetings, real estate appointments and personal matters. |
Interpreter vs Translator – What’s the Difference?
Short answer: An interpreter works with spoken language, a translator with written text.
| Interpreter | Translator |
|---|---|
| Spoken communication | Written documents |
| Real-time language support | Delivered as a finished text |
| Used in meetings, courts, hospitals | Used for contracts, manuals, reports |
Why Clients Choose Tolk2Go
Short answer: Clients value clarity, speed and professional choice freedom.
- Transparent booking process
- Access to certified and specialized interpreters
- Coverage across Europe 🇳🇱 🇧🇪 🇱🇺 🇩🇪 🇫🇷
- Suitable for legal, medical, business and private use
Ready to Book the Right Interpreter?
Tell us your situation and language combination. We’ll match you with the appropriate professional interpreter.
Not sure which interpreter you need?
Short answer: Legal/notary = often sworn/certified. Medical = high accuracy + confidentiality. Conferences = often simultaneous. Business/private = usually consecutive/liaison.
Open the 2-minute decision guide (2026)
Decision rules
- Court/lawyer → Lawyer/Court Interpreter
- Notary deed → Notary Interpreter
- Doctor/hospital → Medical Interpreter
- Conference/event → Conference Interpreter
- Business meeting → Business/B2B Interpreter
- Private matter → Private/Social Interpreter
Quick comparison
| Situation | Type | Typical mode |
|---|---|---|
| Court | Lawyer/Court | Consecutive |
| Notary deed | Notary | Consecutive |
| Medical | Medical | Consecutive/Liaison |
| Conference | Conference | Simultaneous |
