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.

 

 

 

American Sign Language (ASL) - Is ASL Universal?

What is American sign language? Is ASL a true language? Moreover, is American sign language used universally among deaf people?

Almost everyone has heard of American sign language. However, relatively very few people understand even the basic principles of ASL. Here, we’ll, therefore, look at what everything you need to know about ASL in 2020.

What is American Sign Language?

Is American sign language a true language? — The answer to this question is a simple yes.

Many people assume that when people use ASL, they use their hands to make signs that represent spoken English words and alphabet letters. However, this really isn’t the case.

American sign language is a language in its own right. It is also one that is completely distinct from English. Worldwide, sign language even has different dialects, grammar rules, and what you might think of as accents.

ASL is Over 200-Years Old

Did you know that American sign language is over 200-years old?

As well as not really understanding how ASL works, many people assume that American sign language is a relatively recent invention. You might even think that ASL was developed by linguists at a top university like Harvard. In reality, though, no one is 100% sure of the true origins of ASL.

What we do know, is that ASL we use today has existed for approximately 200-years. We also know that ASL likely came about through the mixing of local sign languages in America, with French sign language (Langue des Signes Française.)

Having strong French influences is part of the reason why ASL is so distinct from spoken and written English. However, it is important to note that ASL and French sign language can not be used interchangeably. Today, ASL is as different from Langue des Signes Française, as French is to English.

Why Do Deaf People Use ASL? 

If you do not have a hearing impairment yourself, you might not understand why deaf people use sign language. After all, wouldn’t it be easier to communicate with others using written English?

As it stands, why American sign language is so important to deaf people is simple.

Research shows that early, natural development of language skills plays a key role in early cognitive development. Language, if you like, isn’t just a tool we use to communicate. As well as this, we all use language to learn about the world and develop both intellectually and socially.

When people are born deaf, learning ASL helps make sure that deaf infants don’t get left behind developmentally. More importantly, learning to sign is also what makes it possible for people to later learn written English.

Is American Sign Language Used Universally?

As already mentioned, ASL has its roots in French sign language. This being the case, American sign language is not used universally.

In the UK and Europe, deaf people do use sign language. However, the sign languages they use are as different from each other as Finish might be to Chinese. Surprisingly, though, ASL is widely used in other areas overseas.

Countries That Use ASL

If you are born deaf in the Philippines, Singapore, or even Jamaica, there is a strong likelihood that you will be taught to use American sign language. In part, this is thanks to historically very strong missionary, aid, and overseas education programs.

Other countries that use ASL include:

• Barbados
• Bolivia
• Canada
• Cambodia
• The Central African Republic
• Chad
• Hong Kong
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Gabon
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Zimbabwe 

Why Should You Use ASL in Your Business?

At present, American sign language is used by approximately 250,000-500,000 Americans and Canadians. This might seem like a statistically small number. However, just like all consumers, deaf people go where they are treated best by businesses.

If you are a business, you don’t need to hire someone proficient in ASL to be on hand to attend to deaf customers 24/7. However, if you let ASL users know that communicating in ASL is possible using a translator, most will be incredibly appreciative of this. 

How to Hire an ASL Interpreter

At Languagers, we provide ASL interpreters to thousands of businesses all across the United States. Even better, many of our interpreters can work completely remotely. To find out how your business can better support your local deaf community, click here.

 

 

 

How to Grow Your Business with Interpreters Available 24/7

Whether you are running a multinational business organization or thinking about expanding your services, it is always important to consider how you will communicate with your customers, partners or other people linked to your business. We are living in a global market, therefore, with greater opportunities available there are more things which you need to consider to grow your business successfully. 

To manage businesses that are growing internationally there is a higher need of having interpreters available for your business needs on a 24/7 basis. The needs are many, from formal presentations to managing international conferences to managing effective customer services; everything needs to have an interpreter to work with your business.

Who Needs Interpreters 24/7?

Most businesses can do better with foreign language support. Some of the industries that can benefit from using interpreters available 24/7 are listed as follows:

• 24/7 Chat Support and Customer Services
• Automobile
• Construction
• Financial Services
• Fashion 
• Healthcare / Urgent Care or Emergency Facilities
• Information Technology
• Legal 
• Maintenance & Repair
• Media
• Public Services and Enterprises
• Real Estate
• Security
• Travel
• Trading Companies

How to grow your business with interpreters working 24/7 

Do you want to know how it is possible for you to grow your business with interpreters working around the clock for you? Well, here we have brought some essential things which you need to know:

Interpreters come up with higher public speaking skills

Interpreters usually have higher and effective skills at public speaking which can make them a viable option for you to consider for the effective growth of your business. It is because professional and skilled interpreters not only have cultural knowledge of multiple languages that can benefit your business but also understands how to deal with the public in the best possible way.

Quality interpreters are always efficient

When it comes to professional translator then, without any doubt, you can never outlook the benefits of having quality interpretation. It is because they are not only capable of translating what others are talking about but can also deliver quality services to your clients. More so, they are also proficient and skilled to provide you perfect written work which you can easily compile. It is a well-known fact that specific business subjects need to be interpreted exact, without a fumble or mistake, and professional interpreters know how to communicate exact concepts and technical terms in a more effective way.  

A better chance to work with more consistency

For a businessperson who is regularly dealing with overseas companies or clients from multiple regions, it is highly important to have someone available 24/7 to assist you in different time zones nationwide and worldwide and provide a more accurate meaning consistently to win competition. This will help cope with emergency situations and ultimately save you from various issues. Due to their perception and different skills, interpreters usually have more speed of work as well as quality.

More time to think and proceed.

When you are having interpreters working for you 24/7 it’s can be easier for you to know what your clients are looking for or what other business parties are offering you. This can be the best look before you leap opportunity which you must consider for your business. It is because interpreters are there to listen to others carefully and then tell you what offers or concerns others are having for you. As such, this affords you enough time to think about what steps you should take to proceed with knowledge and direction. This compiling and thinking about the situation can be more beneficial to make an effective and wise business decision.

Have professional interpreting services handy

It is important to hire a language service company with a state-of-the art phone / video technology and have qualified experienced interpreters available 24/7 who have been validated for language proficiency and signed confidentiality agreement. 

We are living the age where accurate language services are important for many businesses. It is because of increased cultural diversity, easy to access technology is simplifying the ability to do business across regions. With instant global communication, it has become essential to consider having interpretation services around the clock. When it comes to growing your business in a more effective way, at present time, considering interpreters 24/7 can be your complete language solution to being more successful.

Click Here to learn more about how you can receive all of the interpreter services and support you need through high-end technology at affordable prices.