Phone Interpreting Vs In-Person Interpreting: Which Is The Best One For You

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, there has been a 55% drop in demand for in-person interpreters across several industries. Many businesses are also finding that phone interpretation is far more efficient and cost-effective than traditional in-person interpreting.

PHONE INTERPRETING VS IN-PERSON INTERPRETING:

Thanks to Phone interpretation being lower cost than in-person interpreting, some business plan to make their switch to over the phone interpreting permanent. However, it is important to note that there are pros and cons to both interpretation methods.

Phone interpretation Benefits

At Languagers, we provide reliable, low-cost Phone interpretation services to businesses all across the United States. However, our clients don’t just make use of over the phone interpreting to save on interpretation costs.

One of the chief benefits of Phone interpretation rests with how quickly it is possible to connect with language interpreters.

·       At Languagers, we can connect businesses, professionals, and members of the public with interpreters in a matter of seconds.

·       Phone interpretation can be planned in advance or take place at the last minute with little to no planning.

·       As a rule, Telephone interpretation is more reliable than alternative forms of interpreting like video interpretation, as calls require less bandwidth than video calls.

Now that telephone interpreting is rising in popularity as a result of COVID-19, it is easy to see why some businesses might consider making the switch from in-person interpreting permanent. However, it is important to note that in-person interpreting still offers some benefits that over the phone interpreting is unable to.

In-Person Interpreting Benefits

There is no doubt that Phone interpretation helps businesses save on the cost of hiring interpreters. However, investing in in-person interpreting is still considered the best way to ensure that conversations between different parties are interpreted 100% accurately.

·       When on-site interpreters are physically present in a room, they can read the body language of people speaking, as well as other visual cues that make interpreting easier.

·       In many cases, recipients of interpreted dialogue say they feel more at ease when interpreters are present who they can make eye-contact with and build a rapport with.

·       Pauses during Phone interpretation when each speaker takes turns speaking can confuse and interrupt the natural flow of conservation. By comparison, in-person interpreters can help everyone in a conversation feel more engaged and at ease.

In short, there are almost no barriers to the flow of conservation when all speakers are in one place. This is why despite the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, many politicians and major businesses are continuing to have meetings in person and not remotely.

When is Telephone Interpenetration Always the Best Option?

Despite in-person interpretation being better for ensuring the accuracy of interpreted dialogue, there are occasions where it is always better to make use of telephone interpreting services.

·       Like the present time when face-to-face interpreting is not practically possible for many people, Phone interpretation makes an excellent alternative option.

·       Whenever it is necessary to conduct a conversation quickly, Phone interpretation is the best way to do so.

·       Whenever it is not possible to have another person present in a room for privacy reasons or cultural concerns, Phone interpretation provides a suitable solution.

Of course, when privacy concerns are the main reason you might elect to hire an over the phone interpreter, it is important to remember that interpreters will still be privy to all your conversation details. However, when you use a reputable interpretation agency like Languagers, you can rest assured that all our interpreters are bound by strict non-disclosure agreements.

Do you need to hire an interpreter? Find out more about which option might be right for you, by contacting Languagers today.

 

How Has COVID-19 Affected Sign Language Interpreter Livelihoods?

What has it really been like to be a sign language interpreter during the COVID-19 pandemic?

FUTURE OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERTERS

From the outside looking in, it might seem like 2020 has been a phenomenal year for ASL interpreters. After all, demand for ASL interpreters in the media isn’t just high. As well as this, some sign language interpreters have achieved national celebrity status.

Sadly, though, for every sign language interpreter you might see on television, there are several who are struggling as a result of COVID-19.

With ASL interpreters appearing almost everywhere on television, it is easy to assume that sign language interpreters have never had it better. However, for many interpreters, 2020 has been a phenomenal struggle.

Many sign language interpreters are freelancers who regularly travel to different locations to interpret face-to-face. Sadly, COVID-19 lockdowns have resulted in a sharp drop in available work.

Thankfully, COVID-19 lockdowns have also witnessed a rise in demand for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) and Video Relay Services (VRS). There is just one problem. Namely, that starting to offer video remote interpreting or VRS interpreting isn’t an option for many interpreters.

·       Working on video remote interpreting and VRS projects requires significant upfront investment in new home computer hardware and recording equipment.

·       Not all sign language interpreters feel comfortable taking on VRI or VRS work.

·       People looking to hire video remote interpreting and VRS interpreters often prefer to hire interpreters with existing experience.

For a sign language interpreter who usually interprets face-to-face, switching to offer video remote interpreting or VRS interpreting can also cause significant cognitive and emotional distress.

Remote Interpreting Increases Cognitive Load on Interpreters

For several months now, governments and businesses have been pitching the use of video conferencing apps like Zoom, as fundamental to business continuity and success during COVID-19. However, reliance on VRS and video remote interpreting can prove detrimental to sign language interpreters.  

A body of evidence exists which suggests that video remote interpreting should only be used to complement (not replace) traditional face-to-face interpreting. This is because remote interpreting increases overall cognitive load on interpreters

·       As well as interpreting VRI conversations in real-time, a sign language interpreter also has the added stress of having to mediate all communication.

·       Studies show that after 30-minutes, the quality and accuracy of translations by even the best interpreters starts to decline. In face-to-face interpreting contexts, interpreters can take regular breaks or have colleague’s takeover. However, when working home alone online, this isn’t possible.

·       Cumulatively, the stresses of constant VRS and video remote interpreting can result in interpreters burning out.

Will There Be a Market for Face-to-Face Interpreters in the Future?

At present, it looks unlikely that face-to-face interpreters will see workloads start to recover any time soon.

Even if COVID-19 disappears, the fact will remain that many businesses are now aware of the cost-savings and convenience offered by video remote interpreting and VRS interpreting. This being the case, some sign language interpreting agency like Languagers will now have to decide how they want their team of interpreters to progress with this new technology.

It might also be beneficial for some businesses to now make an effort to understand the pressures placed on interpreters. This way, businesses and interpreters might be able to work together to optimize interpreter working conditions and current remote interpreting methodologies.

  

Why Privacy Is Vital To Modern Video Remote Interpreting Services

 

Web video remote interpreter services and video conferencing, in general, has entered a new golden era.

WHY PRIVACY IS VITAL TO MODERN VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETING SERVICES

In just nine short months, everyone from the British royal family to local town councilors have started making regular use of video remote interpreting apps like Zoom. Click here to know more. However, as the popularity of video remote interpreting has increased, so too have a number of privacy concerns.

What Privacy Fears Affect Web Video Conferencing?

At Languagers, we provide on-demand web video remote interpreting services to clients in a wide variety of industries. Every day, therefore, sees us work with the likes of attorneys, medical professionals, law enforcement personnel, and major business leaders. 

To safeguard the privacy of each of our clients, we never harvest data from those who use our services. Neither do we track you or share details of what you discuss with others when using our platform to anyone.

Sadly, trending video remote interpreting apps like Zoom don’t offer the same privacy assurances.

·       Despite becoming a hit among everyone from school teachers to politicians, Zoom has been accused of selling user data to Facebook, and a host of other privacy failings.

·       Earlier this year, Microsoft was accused of listening to private Skype conversations, without putting measures in place to secure recorded audio.

·       In August, it was revealed that remote working and video remote interpreting apps have been responsible for 66% of company data breaches in India this year.

Is The Video Interpreting Service You are Using Secure?

At Languagers, our web video remote interpreting services are made available through our own proprietary video remote interpreting platform.

On request, we are able to connect clients with interpreters who can use other platforms like Zoom. However, when you use our platform, you can rest assured that your conversations are kept 100% secure. This is thanks to the fact that our platform and all our interpreters are 100% HIPAA compliant.

What Does HIPAA Compliance Mean?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted on August 21, 1996. At it’s most basic, being HIPAA compliant means that businesses like ourselves at Languagers, need to have rigorous systems in place to protect customer confidentiality.

·       We regularly audit the security of our video interpreting software, website, and IT systems.

·       Being HIPAA compliant means that we regularly undertake new data security risk assessments.

·       To prevent privacy breaches, we provide ongoing security training to all our interpreters and employees.

Don’t Take Your Data Privacy for Granted

All Languagers interpreters are also bound by strict confidentiality agreements. This being the case, when you utilize our VRI or web video remote interpreting services, you can rest assured that anything you discuss online will stay strictly confidential.

Do you need to host a virtual conference or meeting where one or more interpreters will be present? If so, make sure to think carefully about the potential privacy implications of using apps like Zoom.

As it stands, if you need to discuss sensitive business, medical, or legal information, you probably don’t want Facebook, Google, or Microsoft listening in on your conversation. This being the case, don’t just turn to Languagers to hire an interpreter. Turn to us to also make use of video conferencing software you can trust absolutely.     

 

What To Expect From Web Video Conferencing Interpreter Services?

Web video conferencing interpreter services is a growing trend throughout the world. Given the nature of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals and businesses have relied on web video remote conferencing to continue with their need of interpretation services from their reliable and professional interpreter language services.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETER SERVICES

As the trend continues to grow, there will be more people speaking different languages with each other at these web video remote conferences. If you end up in a video remote web conference with someone who speaks a different language than you, then it will be very awkward to try and communicate with them. 

Here are two things you can expect from your video remote interpreter  services:

Professional Interpreter

During these circumstances, you’ll need some professional web video conferencing interpreter services to tear down the language barrier. When you hire one of our interpreters to join your web video remote conference, they will interpret real time your language to the other person and vice versa. Then you’ll be able to have a useful and accurate conversation with them.

Web video remote conferencing interpreter services are popular with doctors, lawyers, clients, patients, courts, suppliers, police departments, employers, and so on. The best part is that it is so much easier to access an interpreter online than in-person. If you need our services on the same day that you request them, then we can make those arrangements for you. Our global network of interpreters makes this possible.

Real time Interpreting Services

When you make your appointment, you need to give us some brief information related to the online conference & meeting. Tell us which languages will be spoken at the meeting, what video remote conferencing software will be used, and the date and real time of the meeting. Once we know this information, we’ll reach out to the most qualified interpreter in our network who can assist you.

You can visit www.languagers.com for more information, quotation and inquiries.

We can interpret real time as many as 350 different languages from within our network of Professional interpreters. Some of these are national and international languages, while others are regional languages. No matter what language you need to be interpreted, we have the right person for the job.

 

How Interpreting Made Easy With Zoom, GoToMeeting And Google Meet

Are you tired of Skype? If so, then you have so many other options available for conducting your next video remote interpreting call. You can choose between Zoom, GoToMeeting and Google Meet. Each one of them has its good and bad qualities, so there is no right or wrong choice. It all depends on the specifications you require for your video remote interpreting call.

INTERPRETING MADE EASY WITH ZOOM, GOTOMEETING AND GOOGLE MEET

Most people have heard of Zoom video conferencing by now. Ever since the coronavirus pandemic took place earlier this year, the number of Zoom users went from 10 million to over 300 million in just a few short months. It has dominated the news cycles as people’s preferred choice for video remote conferencing. But is it really that great?

There are several other video remote conference apps that have similar features as well as other features. Perhaps you might find these features to be more suitable to your specifications. The only way you will know is if you learn more about each video remote conference app and what they can do.

Let’s compare Zoom, GoToMeeting and Google Meet to see which one might be better for you.

Zoom

Zoom is the number one web video conferencing app available right now. It has been around for a while, but people only recently discovered it during the coronavirus quarantine. Before that, businesses and commercial enterprises were the primary users of the app. But it is still a good video remote conference interpretation services app for individuals as well.

Zoom offers high-quality sound and video to its users. You shouldn’t experience any problems with the sound or video like you would with other video remote interpreting apps. It seems to offer a consistently stable and premium quality performance throughout every conference call.

If you are a professional interpreter who needs to conduct video remote interpretation services online, then Zoom should be your number one choice. After all, it was originally designed for commercial users anyway. That doesn’t mean you can’t use it if you’re an individual user, because you can too.

Just note that the backgrounds in the video tend to fade out. It is designed so that only the subject in front of the camera can be seen clearly and visibly. For anyone with a lot of distractions or unusual things happening in their environment, the background fading might be a good thing. Again, it all depends on your particular needs.

Zoom is available for your desktop computer, laptop computer, smartphone or tablet. If you want to use Zoom on your mobile device, then you need to download the “Zoom Cloud Meetings” app for the Android or iOS operating system. If your interpreting call is going to be under 40 minutes and has less than 25 people, then you can use Zoom for free. But if you want to host a big online interpreting meetup with lots of people for over 40 minutes, then you’ll need to pay for a better subscription.

GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting is an easy-to-use video remote conference app. However, new users might need some time to grow accustomed to the format of joining meeting rooms. It requires you to type in a numeric code before you can join a particular room. Once you understand how that works, the rest of the app is simple enough to figure out.

You will be happy with the sound quality of GoToMeeting.  Each person can be heard very clearly as long as they talk one at a time. Your interpreter services meetings can be started from your instant messenger tool, email, or Microsoft Office. You have the choice to host the meetup on your premises or over a cloud server.

Professional interpreters are one of the most common users of GoToMeeting. They use the software to connect with their deaf clients for American Sign Language interpreters and for foreign language translators. Aside from conducting video remote interpreting, GoToMeeting is good to use for providing translators for foreign speakers and providing video remote interpretation services to clients from a remote location.

As many as six HD quality video feeds can be displayed for each meetup. You can still have more people watch the videos of the meetup, but they won’t be able to display their videos at the same time. However, as the host of the meetup, you can choose which users’ video feeds get displayed for everyone to see. You can check here to know more about GoToMeeting video conferencing.

Some of the other notable features of GoToMeeting include project management, synchronized editing, and invitation management. Mobile support is available, in case you want to conduct your video conference via your tablet or smartphone.

Google Meet

Google is a brand name that everyone knows by now. It is the number one search engine in the world. Over the years, Google has expanded its software endeavors to many other areas. Now they have Google Meet, which is their own branded video conference app. Many people have switched from Skype to Google Meet because they are happier with its controls and usability.

One of the most notable things about Google is its user interface. It has a minimalistic design, which means it is easy to navigate and find your way around the control settings. People who are not computer literate can figure out how to operate Google Meet without any issues. If you’re using Google Meet on a mobile device, then it won’t consume as much battery power as other video conference apps.

You can have up to 30 people in your video remote conference online interpretation services at one time. There is high-definition video quality available, so you can see the interpreter in the video very clearly. This comes in handy for meetups that require American Sign Language interpretation services to be seen by deaf users.

Do you normally use other Google tools, such as Gmail and Google Calendar? If so, then you can integrate information from these tools with your Google Meet account. For instance, if you want to schedule a date for your interpreting services appointment, then you can do so by using Google Calendar.

The biggest drawback is when a user has low bandwidth on their internet connection. Low bandwidth will cause their video to freeze on your screen. But if you only need to hear them, then you can simply switch it to a voice call. That will eliminate the lag problem, and you’ll be able to hear them clearly. All they have to do is call a special phone number to join the meetup. 

There is a desktop version of the app available. Some people claim that it freezes a lot, but it might depend on your computer hardware and internet connection more than anything else. If you have a dedicated internet connection, then screen freezing should not happen too frequently.

Conclusion

Clearly, there are a lot of good choices here. Video remote interpreting app like www.languagers.com also provides the same service such as these three. But using these platforms as an alternative backup for your interpreting needs can be a great help. Commercial users might feel more comfortable with GoToMeeting because of its advanced business-friendly features. For everyone else, it is a toss-up between Zoom and Google Meet. The fastest and easiest choice would be Google Meet. It lets you conduct 60-minute online sessions for free, with up to 100 participants. That should be more than enough for the average person’s needs.

 

Remote learning has become the new norm in this world because of the coronavirus pandemic. Millions of children have been required to receive their education over the internet. For deaf children, remote learning is even more challenging because they need a teacher who can make their lessons enjoyable while using sign language. One teacher figured out how to make that happen. 

Creative Way Of Remote Learning In Sign Language. Let’s Visit Oklahoma Colorado And Utah

Meet Danielle Terrio: Teacher of Deaf Children in Kindergarten-Third Grade.  Danielle is an elementary school teacher of deaf children in kindergarten through third grade. During standard times, she would be in a classroom teaching her deaf children in person. But like many teachers across the country, Danielle has been required to develop remote learning material for her deaf students. Since she has always been an avid filmmaker, she decided to put her filmmaking skills to good use for this purpose.

Danielle has turned her summer break into an adventurous distant learning experience for her deaf students. She has filmed at least three educational videos so far that take viewers on a digital trip to some prominent mountainous locations in the United States. These three locations include the following:

Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma

Danielle visited the Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma and hiked up to the top of the Black Mesa Summit. Along the way, viewers will see the beauty of the surrounding barren landscape and learn about the wildlife that can be found there.

Crested Butte in Colorado

Danielle goes on the bridge and trail at the mountain resort town of Crested Butte, Colorado. Viewers learn about the different types of trees and rocks that are found at this mountain resort community.  

Bryce Canyon in Utah

Danielle explores the wilderness area of Bryce Canyon, Utah. She teaches about the unusually shaped rocks at the canyon and how they were formed because of water and wind erosion. There is a big focus on a particular type of rock called “hoodoos.” 

Final Words

When you watch Danielle’s educational videos, you can see that she truly has a gift for filmmaking. She is using that gift to enhance the remote learning experience of her deaf students. They will undoubtedly appreciate going on these remote adventures with her because they’ve been stuck at home for months now. Someday soon, perhaps these children will have the opportunity to visit these places themselves.  

Danielle is proficient in American Sign Language. As she goes on her journey in these different exotic places in Oklahoma, Colorado and Utah, you can see her using sign language as she teaches her lessons in front of the camera. Meanwhile, you can hear the narrator translate her sign language into verbal speech. That is so hearing students or parents can learn from these educational videos too. 

If you’re a teacher in a school district that remains closed because of the pandemic, then you should consider making your own educational videos too. You don’t necessarily need to possess the same filmmaking skills as Danielle. Just use a regular digital camera and free video editing software on your computer. Then you can create fun and exciting lessons for your students too.  Click here for more resources.

 

A lot of people never really think about the idea of sign-language interpreters until they see them first-hand. It’s simply a concept most of us don’t have to worry about for our own benefit, and thus something that doesn’t naturally come to mind. When you’re putting on an event that involves any sort of speaking or presentation though, the need for an on-stage interpreter is clear. It is both a means of ensuring that everyone in the audience is able to understand what’s happening on stage, and a simple matter of inclusivity. 

5 Reasons Your Event Needs An Interpreter

Looking into the idea a little bit more deeply though, Languagers provides five specific reasons your event should have an ASL interpreter…. 

1 - More People Are Hard of Hearing Than You Guess

It’s easy to fall under the impression that there simply aren’t that many people who suffer from debilitating hearing loss. Perhaps you don’t have a close family member or friend who is hard of hearing; maybe you don’t know anybody with this sort of affliction, save a few people with age-related hearing loss. This may be the case for many of us, but it doesn’t change the fact that there are probably more people who are hard of hearing than you would guess. 

The official numbers on deafness and hearing loss indicate that some 466 million people around the world have “disabling hearing loss.” That’s a fairly sizeable portion of the population, and while a significant number of the people affected are children, the bottom line is that you may be more likely to be holding an event with some hard-of-hearing guests than you realize. If you have several hundred people in a room, it’s not altogether unlikely that someone there is deaf, or close to it. 

2 - Many of These People Are Discriminated Against

Among the many people who suffer from disabling hear loss, it’s also an unfortunate fact that many experience various forms of discrimination, including in professional settings. Information regarding communication services and the deaf indicates that one out of every four deaf people has left a job due to discrimination — and a whopping 70% of deaf people “don’t work or are underemployed.” 

If you’re in a professional situation in which you’re tasked with hosting an event, it’s your responsibility to do what you can to ensure you don’t further these troubling statistics. An interpreter can help you to be more inclusive, and — if the event is work-related — can help any deaf guest to enjoy something closer to an even playing field. 

3 - You Never Know Who You’re Missing

We’ve discussed the need to include deaf individuals for their own benefit, and as a matter of responsibility (and basic decency). But it will also benefit your organization. Simply put, you never know who you might be missing if you hold an event without an interpreter. An attendee who’s hard of hearing may just be the customer, partner, or contact you’ve been hoping to meet — and without an interpreter, he or she might never get your message. 

4 - Communications Are Making a Comeback

Another benefit to you and your organization comes from the fact that good communication is — for lack of a better word — trendy. In an age when so much of our day-to-day activity involves generic messaging, automated functions and the like, consumers have actually come to care quite a lot about how businesses present themselves and communicate. 

This is reflected clearly in the demand we see in related careers. According to statistics for students pursuing a bachelors in communications, more than 17,000 jobs in public relations are expected to be added by 2028, and various advertising and marketing positions are now paying median salaries in the six-figure range. These are all indications that companies are recognizing the value of strong communications these days — and having interpreters at live events is part of all of this. Essentially, by expanding a communication effort to be this inclusive, you’re putting forth the impression that your company is comprehensive and proactive in tis messaging. It’s a good professional image to establish. 

5 - Apps Aren’t There (Yet)

One last reason to include a live interpreter is that the apps for this sort of thing just aren’t quite there yet. We’ve covered the rise of AI-driven interpreter apps, and it’s true that some of them already exist. However they’re far from perfect at this stage — not to mention they’re not particularly well known just yet. 

So, while it’s always tempting to assume these days that people have apps to help them get by, there’s still a need in this space for human interpreters. A trained, live professional conveying an event’s messages in ASL will simply be more valuable to guests than any app.