Professional Interpretation Services
When it comes to using interpreting services to support multilingual communications, you have a few options for how the professional interpreter will help you. You can hire an interpreter to provide on-site services, you can use a remote video interpretation service anywhere in the world, or for quick and easy arrangement, you can use phone interpretation.
What is Phone Interpretation?
Phone interpretation provides remote interpretation services for people over the phone as an alternative to in-person and video interpreting. Clients receive an access code to dial in to be connected to an interpreter. By calling the number, you’ll be connected to a professional interpreter with years of experience in a matter of minutes. Over-the-phone interpreting services are available 365 days a year, 24/7, so you’re never faced with a language barrier without help.
Phone interpreters provide consecutive interpreting services. They listen to the speaker in the source language, interpret the message in their head, and translate it into the target language once the speaker has paused. Although telephonic interpreters cannot pick up on visual cues, they are extensively trained in active listening and note-taking, two essential qualities for consecutive interpretation.
Phone interpretation works best for situations that do not need visual cues, like follow-up calls, calls confirming appointments, support for dental or medical visits, or when an interpreter is required on the fly.
Other Names for Phone Interpretation
Phone interpretation services can also be called “over-the-phone interpreting” or OPI (OPI for its acronym) or phone translation services. Technically, the term “phone translation services” is incorrect since translation services deal with written materials, while interpretation services, like live phone interpretations, deal with oral content. Nonetheless, a language translation company must be ready to offer the best customer service and clarify terms and services requested by their clients who do not need to know the lingo of the language industry.
Why Use Over-the-Phone Interpreting?
Ideal for Short Interactions
Quick, simple questions can be quickly answered over the phone with a telephonic interpreter. Many phone calls don’t need more than a few minutes, so having an in-person interpreter for a short time wouldn’t make financial sense. Phone interpreter services are the solution for confirming an appointment, setting up a meeting, or touching base.
Low Cost
Why pay for hours when you only need minutes? The low cost of phone interpreter services makes it a desirable option for users. In-person interpreters have a time minimum and travel costs, but with phone interpreter services, you can have a 5-minute conversation with someone and only pay for the time you use.
Larger Portfolio of Languages
While JR Language has an incredible team of professional interpreters, they’re not always available in every city. Isolated or rural locations can make interpretation for specific languages challenging, and it can be cost-prohibitive to have an on-site interpreter. Lesser-used languages may also not have the option of in-person interpretation.
Telephonic interpretation services allow a professional translation agency to offer clients a more extensive portfolio of languages at an affordable cost compared to the roster of in-person interpreters. OPI increases the chances of having someone available who speaks the language you need at the moment you request it.
It’s Convenient!
With over-the-phone interpretation or phone translation service, you can always access professional interpreters, no matter the time of day. Time zones are not a limitation with remote interpretation services when someone can hop on a phone call from anywhere in the world in seconds. You also don’t need to schedule an interpreter in advance; you can simply call and be connected to the language you need.
Works for Emergencies
Time is of the essence during an emergency or when language help is needed without warning, and dealing with a language barrier can waste valuable minutes. OPI is instantly available with 24/7, 365-day access when you need it. When you don’t have any advanced warning, you need service now, and a phone interpreter will be there. This service is very convenient for medical emergencies, service to the police, and 911 calls.
How Phone Interpreting Services Can Help
Telephonic interpretation services are helpful for a range of organizations, including private businesses, government entities, and healthcare providers. Some organizations use telephonic interpretation as their primary source of language access, while others prefer to have it as a backup alternative to video or on-site interpretations.
Hospitals
Hospitals with a diverse patient population or many Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients benefit from the round-the-clock availability of OPI. Over-the-phone interpreters can be reached from landline phones, mobile phones, and digital apps. Video interpretation devices and the resources for in-person interpretation may be limited. Still, phones are everywhere throughout a hospital, making it easy for your staff to get language assistance when they need help.
Telephone interpretation is the perfect solution when in-person interpretation is not available. Whether you need assistance with a quick phone call, medical emergency, paperwork, or to work with a rare language, our team is here to make the process fast and easy.
With phone interpretation services, you only pay for what you use, and you can always reach an interpreter so your team can focus on saving lives.
Real Client Examples for Over-the-Phone Interpreting
- Police: OPI supports on-site police officers in managing situations with people with limited English proficiency.
- Health Care: Phone interpretation is used to confirm medical appointments for offices in areas with populations of Limited English Proficiency
- Schools: OPI supports teacher communication and reduces the language barrier for parents with children from preschool through graduation.
- Airlines: Phone interpreting services support airline staff working with customers onsite at the airport.
- Government Entities: OPI supports government agencies in reaching communities through customer service, social services, transportation, legal settings, and administrative work.
JR Language is a language services company proud to offer phone interpretation services to our clients as a cost-effective and convenient alternative to on-site interpretation. Our professional interpretation team can assist with over 200 languages anywhere, anytime. Please contact us if you don’t see the language you’re looking for on our list.
