telephone interpreting - how does it work?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Telephonic Interpreting

Telephonic Interpreting - An overview:

A few language service providers now offer over the phone interpreting.

The system is being used more frequently in different settings all over the USA, from medical consultations to business negotiations.

2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

But how does it work?

Remote simultaneous interpreting technology approximates a real-time

conversation.

Remote

consecutive interpreting technology

enables a skilled interpreter to provide nearly

instantaneous oral interpretation

from a remote location by telephone.


The hardware includes a central server and an interpreter’s console, which allows the interpreter to control what callers hear.

To use this technology, the individuals who want to communicate call the interpreter on a conference enabled phone line with their limited English speaker connected.


What are the keys to effective telephonic interpreting?

The quality of interpreting services, no matter what the medium of delivery, depends greatly on the interpreters in question and the level of training and quality assurance offered.

Is telephone interpreting inferior in quality to in-person or video interpreting?


However, the quality of the communication is also greatly impacted by the end user’s ability to work effectively with the interpreter.

1. the skills and knowledge of the interpreters who provide the services,

2. the sound quality, and

3. the speed with which the interpreter is connected to the line.

Quality can be measured in a number of ways. For efficient and effective communication to take place through telephone interpreting,

three key factors are usually taken into account by end users:


What skills do telephone interpreters need?

Like all types of interpreting, telephonic interpreting requires specific training and qualifications.

Effective telephone interpreters must of course master the skills necessary for any type of

interpreting: impeccable comprehension, excellent general language abilities, and

knowledge of terminology specific to the field they are interpreting for.


The telephone can pose technological

problems,

and a telephonic interpreter

has to be prepared to react

to technical incidents.

Telephone interpreters must be able to diplomatically manage external barriers to the communication, such as:

But over-the-phone interpreting presents its own set of challenges.

• poor sound quality, • interference on the line, • distracting noises, • sounds in the background of either party’s environment

Along with many other unique situations encountered in telephone interpreting work.


Customer service skills may be welcome in a telephone interpreter, and extremely clear diction and enunciation are somewhat more important than in other types of interpreting.

Telephonic interpreting is consecutive, so interpreters need to be efficient note-takers.


Telephonic Interpreting: Advantages and Limits

Telephonic interpreting can be a solution to language barriers, although in some cases

it cannot replace face-to-face interpreting.


Advantages: • quick• relatively inexpensive • access interpreters in almost any language 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Limits:• possible loss of quality• unable to see body language and non-verbal cues

Telephonic Interpreting: Advantages and Limits

Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com Telephonic Interpreting

Telephonic Interpreting Uses

GovernmentHealth OrganizationsLegal AuthoritiesCommercialFinancial

OrganizationsInternational SalesPersonal Use

Legal CouncilBusiness MeetingsDoctor / Patient

CommunicationForeign Country TravelCustomer Service


At Language Translation Inc. we provide both telephonic interpreting (SpeakEasy) and face-to-face language interpreting. We are proud of the high quality and professionalism of our interpreters. Our interpreters are skilled, educated native speakers, certified by industry recognized organizations. Our telephonic and face-to-face interpreters are trained in medical, legal, insurance, and technical terminology.

Language Translation Inc., is a San Diego-based company that has been serving the U.S. and countries abroad with professional document translation, certified conference interpreting, and software / website localization services since 1989.

Language Translation, inc.4379 30th Street, Suite 7 | San Diego, CA 92104

Tel: 619.516.4037 | Fax: 619.516.4089 | [email protected]


References:

1.“OVERCOMING LANGUAGE BARRIERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM -- Can Language Assistance Technology Help?” by Insha Rahman, Joe Hirsch and Susan Shah of the Vera Institute of Justice, September 20072.A Medical Interpreter’s Guide to Telephone Interpreting by Nataly Kelly3.“TELEPHONE INTERPRETING: A REVIEW OF PROS AND CONS” by Roberto A. Gracia-García
