Why Use Telephone Interpreting? - Creative Word

Telephone Interpreting is an invaluable service that has a few distinct benefits over conventional interpreting services.

Of course, traditional interpreting would generally be the first port of call if you are looking for an interpreting service that can be facilitated in person, with all necessary people in attendance, for instance, at a multilingual seminar or conference.

However, there are times when an extra person in the room can complicate issues, an interpreter might not be able to attend in person, or speed is of the essence – in these cases, a telephone interpreting service is often the best option.

Here are the main reasons why telephone interpreting might be necessary:

 

1. Location

The location of interpreters, and also those who require their services, is important when considering how to facilitate an interpretation request.

If you require specialist interpretation services, the nearest interpreter could be hundreds of miles away from your location, and could potentially take hours to get to you.

For instance, in hospitals where an injured person, or their family, are not native to the country where the hospital is located (and cannot speak the language of the medical staff) it is sometimes necessary to communicate via a telephone interpreter.

These interpreters often have a medical background, alongside their linguistic expertise, which can allow them to quickly, clearly, and accurately translate information from the medical team in the hospital, to the person, or people, who are receiving the information.

Time is often of the essence in cases like this, so waiting for an interpreter to arrive is not always possible.

 

2. Speed

As in the above example, the speed at which you require an interpreter can also mean that telephone interpreting should be used before conventional methods.

In an emergency situation, the minutes spent waiting for an interpreter to arrive could mean the difference between life and death.

Telephone interpreters have an exceptional grasp of languages and are able to stay calm in a crisis. Their ability to think, communicate and comprehend two, or more, languages at any one time makes them the best choice when speed is vital.

 

3. Cost

Using a telephone interpreter can also save you a considerable amount of money when compared to usual interpretation services.

There are limited expenses incurred for a linguist when they provide a telephone interpretation – they require a phone, and the time it takes to complete the interpretation.

An interpreter who has to travel miles, stay overnight, or commute to another location, will charge extra for the time spent travelling to facilitate the interpretation.

You can avoid this by using a telephone interpretation service, which means that there is no need for anyone to travel, it is more environmentally friendly, and the interpreter’s time is used effectively.

 

4. Privacy or Delicacy

As strange as it may seem, there are times when a third person in the room can complicate matters.

Setting an interpreter into an already tense, stressful, or delicate situation might be like adding fuel to the flames, or may make it uncomfortable for those present.

When considering culture, an interpreter often embraces two worlds, however, there are some cultures that would consider the presence of a third party unnerving, intrusive and inappropriate. In these instances, a telephone interpretation service can provide a convenient answer, and appease all those concerned.

Confidentiality is assured whether the interpreter or translator is present, or in the case of telephone interpreting, absent, but with the added benefit of not needing to be present in the same location, an interpreter can also offer a degree of anonymity to those who require their services.

 

Professional telephone interpreting requires a highly specialised skill set in order to be completed with a high degree of proficiency, speed and accuracy.

Creative Word can offer linguistic experts in hundreds of languages, many of whom are experienced in telephone interpreting. If you require these services please don’t hesitate to contact us.