What Is the Best Video Remote Interpreting Apps of 2020?

 

What are the best apps to use for video remote interpreting? Since the start of the Coronavirus crisis, video conferencing apps like Zoom have benefited from a major PR boost. Zoom may be the most popular video conferencing app. We are discussing interpreting features here below:

 

What Video Remote Interpreting Apps Should You be Using?

As a rule, the best video remote interpreting apps to use in any business or professional context, are those provided by interpretation and translation agencies like ourselves at Languagers.

At Languagers, we facilitate VRI interpreting via our proprietarty platform which offers multiple interpreting-specific features. 

·     As an on-demand interpreting agency available worldwide 24/7, you can connect with interpreters through our app in real-time, as and when you need interpreting assistance. 

·     Languagers VRI interpreting software is ultra-secure and can be connected directly with accounting apps like Quickbooks to streamline billing.

·     If you hold meetings via Zoom and need various foreign language and ASL interpreters, we can  integrate our system with Zoom so you can get an access to over 300 language interpreters instantly 24/7.  You need an account with us for this feature.

At Languagers, our for-purpose virtual meeting software also includes user voice recognition and real-time reporting of analytics like call tracking and data usage. This way, you can keep a real-time track of all call and interpreting costs.  

 

What About Other VRI Interpreting Apps?

At Languagers, we spare at no expense building features into our VRI platform, that make it easy for anyone to get started with VRI. However, it is only fair that we also look at the benefits and limitations of other apps on the market. 

Using Skype and FaceTime for Video Remote Interpreting

Do you need to hire a video remote interpreter on a one-time only basis? If so, using apps like Skype and FaceTime might seem like an easy way to facilitate face to face meetings. However, although Skype and FaceTime are free, this does come with some caveats. 

·         Both Skype and FaceTime are notorious for dropping calls and poor data compression that can result in lags and freezes during video conferences.  

·         At Languagers, our VRI platform complies with strict data protection guidelines mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). Sadly, consumer apps like Skype are not as secure.  

·         Consumer apps like FaceTime can be buggy. This was made famous in 2019 by a bug which made it possible for FaceTime users to discretely snoop on audio from other people’s devices, whether they had accepted calls or not. 

Is it Possible to Use Zoom for VRI Interpreting?

 

 

Thanks to COVID-19, the until recently unknown virtual meeting app Zoom, has become 2020’s go-to meeting app for many worldwide businesses. Zoom also has several benefits over apps like FaceTime when it comes to VRI interpreting. However, Zoom's interpreting services are very limited in languages and scope. We offer more than 300 languages including sign language for all of your interpreting needs.  

Stay Safe and Secure With VRI at Languagers

At Languagers, our VRI platform makes sure that all meetings where interpreters are present are held in the strictest confidence. Unlike apps like Zoom, our platform is also built to facilitate both spoken language and ASL interpreting.  

Of course, when you hire an interpreter via Languagers, you are free to use whatever virtual meeting tools you feel the most comfortable with. However, if you want an assurance that conversations will be kept strictly confidential, we advise using our tools over any alternatives. 

 

 

 

 

 

Should an ASL Interpreter You Hire Wear a Mask When Interpreting?

 

As a result of the Coronavirus crisis, seeing an ASLinterpreter sign the daily news has become the new normal for millions of Americans.

Recently, deafinterpreters have also been praised for helping connecting millions of deaf Americans with essential services like telemedicine during the Coronavirus crisis. However, Covid-19 is still raising new challenges for many deaf people.

 

The Covid-19 Mask Debacle No One is Talking About

In several states, wearing masks is now mandatory for millions of Americans. Most people also appreciate doing so as a sensible way to curb Covid-19 transmission rates. However, new mask rules are adversely affecting some people in America's deaf community.

In September, the New Mexico School for the Deaf in Santa Fe hopes to once again open classrooms to students. However, reopening plans will likely see students have to face coverings.

For students without a hearing impairment, wearing masks is at best an inconvenience. For deaf students, though, (many of whom are not yet fluent in American Sign Language), wearing masks will impede their ability to learn as easily as they might otherwise.

 

What is the Problem with an ASL Interpreter or Deaf Student Wearing a Mask?

The problem for ASL interpreters, students, and teachers is simple. Contrary to popular belief, American SignLanguage is not made up solely of different hand gestures.

As anyone who has seen an ASL interpreter on television recently will realize, American Sign Language uses a wide variety of different facial expressions to relate proper grammar, meaning, and context. This is a problem, as wearing a face covering can make relating extra meaning impossible.

 

Should an ASL Interpreter You Hire Wear a Mask?

At present, the New Mexico School for the Deaf in Santa Fe is still deliberating what reopening in September might look like. However, many businesses across America are now also wondering how wearing masks might affect the way that they too communicate with deaf consumers.

Thankfully, in most professional business contexts, masks will not impede communication between deaf interpreters and deaf members of the public. At Languagers, for example, we already make available on-demand Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services.

 

By utilizing VRI interpreting, you can communicate freely with deaf associates or consumers using an ASL interpreter, who joins meetings via a live video link. In this case, no mask will be required by any party.

 

What About When Hiring an on-site ASL Interpreter?

Because VRI technology eliminates any risk of Covid-19 transmission, we advise businesses to connect with deaf interpreters this way whenever possible. However, it is also still possible to hire a Languager ASL interpreter who can appear in person at your next meeting or event.

 

If on-site ASL interpreting is your only option, we advise following the below safety guidelines:

l  Before an interpreter arrives at your location, discuss your event or meeting details with them. When you do, make sure to let them know of any specific social distancing guidelines.

l  At meetings or during events, keep as large a distance as possible between ASL interpreters and meeting members or event attendees.

l  To avoid any confusion or alarm, let everyone present at a meeting or event know why your ASL interpreter and/or any deaf attendees might not be wearing a mask.

It is also worth remembering that the purpose of masks is to stop the spread of Covid-19 from wearers to others. As it stands, you can rest assured that our team at Languagers will never connect you with an ASL interpreter who we have reason to suspect has Covid-19.

Do you need to hire an ASL interpreter but have questions about safety or what VRI interpreting options are available? If so, feel free to reach out to one of our team directly for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

Online Conference & Meeting Interpreter Services

 

Virtual meetings are quickly becoming commonplace as businesses worldwide do their part to stem the spread of COVID-19. As a result, interpreting agencies like ourselves at Languagers, are up-scaling and diversifying our existing range of online conference and meeting interpreter services.

Do you require an interpreter to be present at your next virtual meeting? If so, our team at Languagers can connect you with a professional video interpreter in just a few minutes. All that you need to decide is how you would like dialogue in meetings to be interpreted.

 

How Conference and Meeting Interpreter Services Work

Video online conference interpreting for virtual meetings and events will typically see interpreters translate spoken dialogue in real-time to meeting attendees. However, at Languagers, our meeting interpreters can also interpret dialogue in a variety of other ways if necessary.

 

Simultaneous Conference and Meeting Interpreter Services

 

Do you like to wrap things up quickly in meetings? Alliteratively, do you plan to hold a conference where you will be speaking to several people simultaneously while giving a presentation or demonstration? If so, you will likely be best served by a meeting interpreter who specializes in simultaneous interpreting.

Simultaneous interpreting is where an interpreter translates what you or other parties present in a meeting say in real-time. This means that interpreters speak at the same time you do, with your dialogue being interpreted instantly to those you are addressing.

 

Consecutive Meeting Interpreter Services

Is it of paramount importance that everything you say in an upcoming meeting is interpreted 100% accurately? If so, hiring a meeting interpreter who specializes in consecutive interpretation might be in your interest.

At Languagers, we only hire interpreters and translators with several years of professional experience in the field. However, consecutive interpreting is often the best option for virtual meetings and online conferences where complex or sensitive subjects are being discussed.

When making use of consecutive interpreting, interpreters will not translate what you say in real-time. Instead, interpreters will make notes as you are speaking, before interpreting what you have said after you have finished. This allows interpreters to ask questions and clarify points being discussed if necessary.

 

Liaison Interpretation 

Are you planning a meeting or conference where there will be several people in attendance who speak one or more different languages? If so, liaison interpretation might be the best option when exchanging dialogue.

Liaison interpreting is dynamic. Because of this, there is no standard concerning how meetings or conferences are structured. Typically, though, two or more interpreters will be present who translate after speakers they are representing finish speaking.

 

What Form of Interpretation Will be Best for Your Meeting?

When planning an online conference or virtual meeting, it is important to use a video interpretation style that all participants feel comfortable with. For this reason, we advise people planning meetings to ask those who will be attending how they would prefer meetings to be conducted.

At Languagers, we can also advise you what kind of interpreting style might be best suited to your next meeting or conference. To find out more, all you need to do is reach out to one of our representatives. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Definitive Guide to Using Sign Language Interpreting Services

 

To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), your business must make sign language interpreting services available on request to deaf consumers. The only question is, how does this work in practice? 

Here, we’ll look at how you as a small to medium-size business can comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act. More importantly, we’ll look at how you can do so as cost-effectively as possible.  

 

In-House vs Outsourced Sign Language Interpreting Services

At present, it is estimated that 1 in 20 Americans are deaf or have some form of hearing impairment. However, not all hearing-impaired Americans will require an ASL interpreter when conducting business with you. For this reason, it will not always be in your interest to offer in-house sign language interpreting services. 

That said, there are exceptions to this rule.   

• Schools that cater specifically to deaf students are expected to offer in-house ASL interpreters. 
• Law enforcement agencies and medical care facilities will often benefit from hiring one or more in-house ASL interpreters. 
• If your business caters exclusively to the deaf community, your consumers will expect access to in-house ASL interpreters. 

How to Engage with Third-Party ASL Interpreters

Are you a small to medium-size business that does not provide an essential public service or cater specifically to the deaf community? If so, the easiest way for you to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be to use third-party ASL interpreters when necessary. 

At Languagers, we can provide face-to-face and remote ASL interpreters to organizations all across the United States. We can also connect you with interpreters in a matter of minutes. However, in most cases, it will be in your interest to carefully plan how you will cater to members of the deaf community. 

 

Let Your Consumers Know How to Request an Interpreter

In every case, your business or organization should let consumers know in advance how to request an ASL interpreter when doing business with you. This can be done by making it clear that ASL interpreters are available in your marketing collateral and all official correspondences. 

It is also perfectly reasonable for most businesses to ask people with hearing impairments to reach out 5 to 7-days in advance of when they might need an interpreter. (However, this will depend on the nature of your business.) 

 

Assign Someone in Your Organization to Handle ASL Interpreter Requests

To expedite and streamline requests for ASL interpreters, most businesses assign specific people to handle requests.  

When members of the public make requests, a request handler should confirm receipt of requests. A time should then be scheduled for a face-to-face meeting or video call where an ASL interpreter will be present.  

• A person handling ASL interpreter requests should schedule preliminary meeting times with members of the public, before reaching out to an agency like ourselves at Languagers. 
• Once we can confirm that an ASL interpreter will be available, meetings should be confirmed with consumers and business associates. 
• People handling interpreter requests should liaise with ASL interpreters individually before meetings take place, to discuss the context of meetings. 

 

What is the Best Way to Work With a Sign Language Interpreter?

 

Ideally, the person who handles ASL interpreter requests will also be the person who conducts final meetings. In either case, though, there are a few simple rules which anyone conducting meetings should follow. 

• If conducting meetings remotely, always make sure that all parties involved are aware of what video conferencing tools will be used and how meetings will be conducted. 
• Always conduct a system check a couple of hours before meetings.
• During meetings or interviews, never look or talk directly to interpreters. Instead, always talk directly to a hearing-impaired person like you would anyone else. 

 

What if I Need to Hire an ASL Interpreter Quickly?

In most cases, having a specific employee handle ASL interpreter requests and following our above guide, will make it easy for you to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, if you need to make use of sign language interpreting services more urgently, our team at Languagers can help. 

At Languagers, we can connect you with ASL interpreters quickly all across the United States. All you need to do is call or contact us directly to discuss your specific requirements.    

 

 

 

 

 

Deposition Interpreter Services - How to Hire a Court Interpreter

 

When hiring a deposition interpreter, it is of paramount importance that you only hire a certified or qualified translator with existing court experience.

Thankfully, our team at Languagers can connect you with certified interpreters who have both the skills and the experience you need to trust that your deposition will be interpreted 100% accurately. Here, we’ll look at how our hiring process works. 

Key Points to Consider When Hiring a Deposition Interpreter service

Hiring a deposition interpreter requires more due diligence than when hiring a translator to translate dialogue in general business contexts. First and foremost, it is imperative that you hire a certified interpreter with independently verifiable qualifications and interpreting experience. 

• Hiring interpreters who have passed written and oral proficiency tests will give you a basic assurance that your deposition will be translated accurately. 
• Any deposition translator you hire must be familiar with the context and proper use of legal terminology that applies to your case. 
• Ideally, an interpreter will have a formal qualification in legal studies.

At Languagers, we only hire court and deposition interpreters who meet all of the above criteria to provide professional interpreter services in 50 States. More importantly, we can provide certified legal interpreters who are proficient in a wide variety of languages. These include uncommon languages like Korean, Polish, and Hungarian as well as American sign language. 

How to Start Working With a Deposition Interpreter 

At Languagers, we make hiring certified or qualified deposition and court interpreters altogether easy. However, working relationships with deposition translators are often structured very differently to working relationships with regular business interpreters. 

In every case, a certified or qualified interpreter you work with will need to see a copy of your or your client’s notice of deposition. This will allow your translator to familiarize themselves with the context of your deposition and any specific legal terminology.  

After forwarding your notice of deposition to your interpreter, you must also make yourself available to answer any questions your translator might have. These may concern the background, profession, and character of a person giving testimony.   

 

Why Do Deposition Interpreters Require So Much Information?

The more information you can provide a court or deposition interpreter with about your client or your case, the more accurately they will be able to interpret testimony in court. 

• When interpreting a deposition, an interpreter is required to speak in the first person as the witness themself.
•  Interpreting in the first person means that translators must speak in the same way a witness does naturally. This means reflecting their mannerisms, level of education, and personality, etc.
•  In court, interpreters must not summarize or give their own interpretation of what a witness is saying. As close as can be, translations of spoken dialogue must be word for word. 

Always Anticipate Hiring Interpreters for Longer Than You Might Expect

During depositions, it is common for court proceedings and preparing for court proceedings to take longer than you might expect. For this reason, it is always advisable to make allowances for extra time when working with interpreters. 

Thankfully, at Languagers, we make it possible to hire legal and deposition interpreters who you can work with remotely if necessary using apps like Zoom. This being the case, we can help keep interpretation costs to a minimum, even when court proceedings might take longer than anticipated. 

Do you need to hire a fully certified deposition interpreter? If so, find out how we can connect you with the right interpreter quickly by Clicking Here.