5 Things to Look for When Working with Phone Interpreter Services

In the United States, it is estimated that 35 million Americans speak a language other than English as their primary language. With 200+ languages spoken in some city areas, this can make modern customer service somewhat challenging.

As it stands, it is simply not possible to be a business owner and a master linguist who can speak all the languages your customers might come at you with. This is why many businesses now use over-the-phone interpreter services to engage with non-English speaking customers and business partners.

 

How Do Over-the-Phone Interpreter Services Work?

How over-the-phone interpreter services work is simple. When you know need to communicate in a language you are not fluent in, you simply reach out to a telephone interpreter service like ourselves at Languagers.

Once you tell us what language you need interpreting, we can have a professional interpreter ready to assist you in a matter of seconds. However, this isn’t always true of other agencies. Here, we’ll, therefore, look at five basic things to look for, when working with other over-the-phone interpreter services.

 

1. Phone Interpreter Services Need to be Available 24/7

As a basic rule, a reputable telephone interpreter service needs to be available 24/7. You never know when a new customer query, complaint, or request for an urgent telephone meeting might land in your inbox. Neither do customers or business partners appreciate communication delays.

Thankfully, at Languagers, our own interpreters are available 24/7 365-days a year. Whenever you might need us, we’ll be ready.

 

2. All Calls Must be Kept Strictly Confidential

In business, it goes without saying that anything you discuss with your clients or company partners, needs to be kept strictly confidential. For this reason, it is important to only ever work with agencies like ourselves who rigorously vet interpreters, and make each sign strict confidentiality agreements.

3. The More Languages Agencies Support the Better

When choosing between different over-the-phone interpreter services, it is important to make sure that agencies you work with speak a variety of languages.

Over 200 different languages are spoken in just the New York metro area. If you are in New York, it, therefore, doesn’t make sense to work with agencies that are only capable of interpreting Spanish or Slovakian.

Thankfully, at Languagers, we support 350 different languages. Best of all, we can connect you with a professional interpreter mere seconds after you call us.

 

4. Look for Localized Language Support

Interpreting telephone calls and customer conversations isn’t just about speaking the same language as your customer or client. In many cases, people you work with will speak precise regional dialects of languages like Italian or Hindi.

To ensure that conversations flow smoothly, it is always advisable to work with interpreters with localized language skills they can match with your customers' or your clients' needs. This isn’t always easy. However, at Languagers, this is something we can help with.

5. Only Work with Telephone Interpreters Who Have a Transparent Fee Schedule

Last but by no means least, never work with over-the-phone interpreter services who can’t tell you upfront how much you can expect to pay.

Some unscrupulous interpreter and translation agencies advertise low fees, but also require their clients to call premium toll numbers that incur excessive extra fees you won’t be aware of until you get your next phone bill. This being the case, always ask about fees and any hidden extra charges, before you start working with any agency.