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.