Since its inception in the 1970s, telephone interpreting has been a vital service that facilitates the exchange of information between two or more languages. Synergy Language Solutions is proud to offer one of the best telephone interpreting services in the industry. But what exactly is telephone interpreting and how do you know when you should use it? Here are some great tips!
What is Phone Interpreting?
Telephone interpreting is the process of connecting two speakers who cannot communicate effectively due to a language barrier to an interpreter using a telecommunications system. Phone interpreting can be used in contact centers, hotels and hospitals and does not require an interpreter to be present.
When to Use Telephone Interpreting
Interpreting is an art that depends heavily on spoken language as well as non-verbal cues such as body language. Most interpreters focus on a speaker’s body language to convey the tone and emotion of the message in their target language. Since body language is so important for interpreting, why would someone opt for telephone interpreting, where body language isn’t involved?
For one, telephone interpreting is cheaper than in-person interpreting. Plus, it’s a one-time service. Here are some of the best times to use telephone interpreting:
When Time Is Everything
Telephone Interpreters are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Time is of the essence in emergency and critical situations. Effective and rapid communication is essential for survival in life and death situations. When a language barrier is present, it can lead to life-threatening delays.
To Reduce Human Contact
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world and forced us all to reevaluate the human touch. In addition to COVID-19, there may be situations where an interpreter can add tension or stress to a meeting. Some people may feel intimidated by an interpreter but a phone call can help people talk to each other without interrupting or interrupting.
When NOT to Use Phone Interpreting
Although telephone interpretation is a great choice for low-cost interpretation in time-sensitive situations, it is not a “one size fits all” solution. For example, when working with children, in-person or video remote interpretation is the best option because it gives them the peace of mind and human touch they need to communicate openly. However, when working with deaf and hard-of-hearing people, you may need a sign language interpreter. Breaking down language barriers isn’t a one-size fits all solution. Fortunately, there are many interpretation services available. For ASL interpreting, video remote or in-person interpretation might be better suited.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re looking to provide excellent customer service, improve business communication, or serve limited English-speaking customers, phone interpreting is an essential tool for any business looking to succeed in today’s global marketplace, where language diversity is on the rise.
When you need professional language services most, you can count on telephone interpreting.
As an expert interpreting company, Synergy Language Solutions has the best linguistic talent in the industry. Our phone and in-person interpreters are available 24/7. We would love to hear from you and provide you with the best interpretation services for your case! Get in touch with us today to find out more about our telephone interpreters and our other options such as remote interpretation and on-location interpreting solutions!
