Telephonic interpreting provides interpretation services over the phone between individuals who do not speak the same language. It works through remote simultaneous or consecutive interpreting technology which allows an interpreter to communicate in real-time from a remote location via phone. Effective telephonic interpreting requires skilled interpreters with language proficiency, subject expertise, and the ability to manage technical issues that may arise from communicating remotely over the phone. While it has advantages like low cost and quick access to interpreters, telephonic interpreting also has limitations compared to in-person interpretation like inability to see body language.

1. HOW DOES IT WORK? Telephonic Interpreting

2. 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?

3. 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. 2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

4. 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. 2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

5. 2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

6. 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? 2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

7. However , the quality of the communication is also greatly impacted by the end user’s ability to work effectively with the interpreter. the skills and knowledge of the interpreters who provide the services, the sound quality, and 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: 2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

8. 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. 2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

9. 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. 2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

10. C ustomer 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. 2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

11. 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 . 2009 © Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com

12. 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

13. Telephonic Interpreting Uses Government Health Organizations Legal Authorities Commercial Financial Organizations International Sales Personal Use Legal Council Business Meetings Doctor / Patient Communication Foreign Country Travel Customer Service Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com Telephonic Interpreting

14. 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 | info@languagetranslation.com Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com Telephonic Interpreting

15. References: “ 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 2007 A Medical Interpreter’s Guide to Telephone Interpreting by Nataly Kelly “ TELEPHONE INTERPRETING: A REVIEW OF PROS AND CONS ” by Roberto A. Gracia-García Language Translation, inc. - www.languagetranslation.com Telephonic Interpreting