Elements for Interpretation Services Rates
As an employee or business owner, you know that effective communication is critical to your business’s success. When you conduct transactions with clients and partners internationally, language barriers complicate effective communication. Language interpretation services are a tool for bridging language barriers and enabling successful communication.
If you are new to the world of interpretation services, the prospect of handling multilingual communications in a high-stakes transaction can be intimidating. In this blog post, we aim to simplify one of the major concerns you might have: interpretation service rates.
How Much Does a Professional Interpreter Cost? What is the Cost of Interpretation Services?
Interpretation services rates are generally determined based on the following factors:
- The languages required
- The location of the meeting
- The subject matter involved
- Type of interpretation needed (consecutive or simultaneous)
- The way interpretation services will be performed: on-site, remote, and conference interpretation.
- Length and time of the interpretation
1. Interpretation Rates Based on the Requested Language
The price for interpretation varies depending on the language or languages involved.
Not all languages are priced equally, and the main reason is availability. As language interpretation service providers, our first step is to check for available interpreters based in your locale or reasonably close to your desired meeting location. For less “exotic” languages such as Spanish, the second most spoken language in the U.S., availability is almost guaranteed, which generally results in a lower rate for Spanish interpretation.
On the other hand, there are “rare” languages spoken by smaller populations and for which qualified interpreters are harder to find. This would factor into the job’s pricing and increase the interpretation rate for such languages.
We offer over 100 languages that you can choose from to meet your language interpretation needs. Within this extensive list of languages, some are rarer, and others are easier to assign to vetted, qualified professional interpreters.
The key is to plan ahead, and the sooner you contact us with the language(s) you need for your event or meeting, the better your chances of securing an interpreter for the language(s) you require. As an added value, you’ll have time to review and understand the price quote and get all your questions answered in order to make an informed decision.
2. Interpretation Rates Differ by Location- How Far Will the Interpreter Need to Travel?
Interpretation rates may vary depending on the location and the language required. For instance, rates for Spanish-language interpretation in New York City differ from those in Charlotte, North Carolina. The reason for this is the higher demand for Spanish-language interpreters in NYC. Additionally, the need for interpretation equipment and technicians for larger-scale events is influenced by the city and location. Shipment of the equipment and logistics can impact pricing, especially in smaller markets where interpretation equipment is not typically readily available.
If we are unable to secure a qualified interpreter available in your area for the reasons identified above, we will, with your permission, expand the local search to match one of our interpreters from other locations. If the interpreter must travel to your appointment or meeting, mileage rates are likely included in the interpretation assignment price. Mileage may be charged on an hourly or per-mile basis.
Contact JR Language Translation Services with enough advance notice so we can have a larger pool of interpreters for your project and enough time to design and plan an adequate interpretation service.
3. Considering Subject Matter in Interpretation Services Pricing
There are several industries in which a professional interpreter with specialized knowledge, experience, and certification is preferred and often required to provide language interpretation services. Some clear examples include the legal and medical industries.
Interpretation services rates for medical interpretation take into account the unique skill sets and advanced medical knowledge required for an interpreter to help a patient and their team of doctors understand and communicate accurately and effectively. These interpreters often hold medical certifications earned through rigorous training, extensive study, and passing certification exams. Some hospitals and clinics require that a certified medical interpreter be present to ensure their patient’s needs are understood and met. In such cases, interpretation rates would be higher than those for a non-certified medical interpreter.
Years of experience in the field and particular expertise within it also affect pricing. As an example of an interpretation event we helped organize, a group of simultaneous interpreters was scheduled to aid communication at a pharmaceutical symposium for a highly specialized set of products, and a background in chemistry was required. Not only were specific interpreters handpicked for the conference, but they also had to be flown from another city and read the material to prepare for the 4 days of information exchange. The combination of languages, location, the interpreter’s capacity to manage simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter’s specialty, and preparation time affected the rates for the conference interpretation services.
As with a professional medical interpreter, a court-certified interpreter’s skills and specialized knowledge affect interpretation rates in legal interpretations such as trials, hearings, and court depositions. To ensure that justice is administered fairly in legal proceedings, court interpreters must be fluent in legal terminology and abide by a strict code of ethics. Their job is to relay messages between involved parties in a strictly impartial and unbiased manner. The process of becoming a court-certified interpreter includes the passing of oral and written examinations that prove the interpreter’s fluency in both English and the other language and the ability to transfer all meaning faithfully while interpreting. The interpreter’s ability to provide consecutive or simultaneous interpretation services also affects the interpretation rates for legal interpretation.
It is evident that highly specialized subject matter and certification significantly affect interpretation service rates. You’re essentially paying for a subject matter expert in the form of a language interpreter who is getting your message across to your audience. But not all situations call for an interpreter to have specialized training. In the right setting, a non-certified interpreter will be highly effective at facilitating multilingual communication and helping you meet your objectives.
It definitely pays to do your research ahead of time to determine whether your business or industry would benefit from, or even require, the use of a specialized or certified interpreter in specific situations. When in doubt, contact a professional interpretation services company and get a skilled interpretation coordinator on your side to guide you through the process of choosing the best-qualified interpreter for your needs.
4. The Type of Interpretation Service Needed Has an Impact on Rates
There are two modes of language interpretation: simultaneous and consecutive. Each style is appropriate in different settings and thus comes with its own set of considerations that impact pricing.
During simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter translates the presenter’s message into the target language while the presenter delivers it without pause. This form of interpretation is commonly used for live training sessions and multilingual conferences, and the skills required of the interpreter in these settings are of an especially high level. Because these events tend to be longer and larger in scale, two interpreters are often needed to split the workload and ensure the quality of simultaneous interpretation is maintained throughout the event. Additionally, the incorporation of interpretation equipment and technicians is often required in such settings to ensure the interpretation process goes smoothly for all participants.
In consecutive interpretation, an interpreter waits for the presenter to pause before delivering an interpretation of the message. Consecutive interpretation is the best fit for smaller-scale events, including medical appointments, asylum interviews, and small group meetings. However, because this mode of interpretation includes frequent pauses for the interpreter to render an interpretation, the communication process takes longer than usual. Therefore, the extra time needed for the interpreter to be present must be factored into the pricing.
In summary, consecutive interpretation is typically the least expensive, as it generally requires only one interpreter to complete the task. Additionally, there is usually no need for interpretation equipment during consecutive interpretations. Simultaneous interpreting services tend to be more expensive because they require two interpreters and audio equipment to deliver simultaneous interpretation.
Switching Gears to Remote and Over-the-Phone Interpretation
Thus far, the elements we’ve covered pertain to interpretation rates for in-person and on-site language interpretation services.
Now we’ll take a look at the rates for remote and over-the-phone interpretation services. One benefit is that the pricing structure for both modes is relatively simple and more budget-friendly. Both modes of interpretation are growing in demand and are extremely effective for a variety of purposes, including interviews, online seminars, virtual meetings, and medical appointments.
- On-demand phone interpretation rates: Phone interpretation is typically priced per minute of use. We offer on-demand phone interpretation at a per-minute rate. It can be a one-time service or an on-demand service. For on-demand service, a one-time account setup fee gives you 24/7 access to a vast network of professional interpreters, and you’ll be able to select from over 100 languages to meet your needs.
- Video remote interpretation rates: Video Remote interpretaion or VRI services do not require the technical work, travel, or prep that hosting an on-site or in-person interpretation does. This means there are no mileage fees or equipment rental fees. VRI interpretation is easily accessible on your computer, as long as you have an internet connection. As such, the hourly rate and minimums for VRI interpretation tend to be lower than those for in-person interpretation. VRI interpretation is available through popular video conferencing platforms, including Zoom and BlueJeans. More robust solutions are needed for complex meetings, so it is important to discuss your needs with an interpreter coordinator. You can plan a Zoom Interpretation with professional interpreters accessing the meeting from different locations.
5. Length and Time of the Interpretation Effect on Rates
Both the length of the interpretation and the time of day it takes place will affect the price of the interpretation. For simultaneous interpretation, assignments over an hour will require two interpreters, which will, of course, add to the overall cost of the service. There are minimums to reserve a professional interpreter, it is usually 2 hours remote and 3 hours on-site; there are also half-day and full-day rates. The time of day can also affect pricing. Assignments that take place after business hours, on weekends, or on holidays will likely incur an increase in pricing.
Get the Right Price for Your Interpretation Needs
When it comes to determining language interpretation service rates, there are several factors that impact how much you could be paying for the service. Having all the information, including the specific conditions and requirements for your interpretation, and enough time to plan go a long way toward preparing and designing the best approach for your interpretation project. Knowing which language(s) you need, the number of attendees, the location, and the exact date will help determine the best price to meet your interpretation needs. If hiring an on-site interpreter (for in-person interpretation) is outside your budget, remote or over-the-phone interpretation could be the most cost-effective option.
At JR Language, we are a specialized interpretation agency. We work as a partner to your company to design the best interpretation setup and quote for your interpretation event. When you come to us with a request for interpretation services, we’ll find the best-qualified interpreter and make sure we explain the details of your quote before you make a final decision.
Contact us today with your interpretation request or questions. We’re ready to listen to your requirements, offer options, and work with you through the process!
(Read our blog post about Translation Services Rates – Another Language service provided by JR Language)
