The use of remote interpreting services has rapidly grown over the past decade. Often facilitated by video and audio technologies, remote interpretation allows interpreters to provide language services from any location rather than having to physically travel to assignments. This remote model provides advantages around cost, convenience, talent access, and more.
Whether you’re part of the banking industry and need on-demand interpretation or you’re looking to consistently use remote interpretation services to serve patients in healthcare, let’s explore the benefits and best practices of this model.
Cost Savings of Remote Interpretation
One of the biggest drivers toward remote service delivery is the cost savings that organizations can benefit from.
Reduced Travel Expenses
In the past, securing an on-site interpreter meant paying for travel expenses
Remote interpretation eliminates this expenditure by enabling interpreters to work from home offices using web-conferencing solutions. Without travel required, overhead costs drop.
No Minimums
Since no travel is required, language service providers that specialize in remote options can charge just for the time spent interpreting.
Convenience and Flexibility
In addition to direct savings, remote interpretation brings advantages around convenience and flexibility.
Location Independence
With remote work capabilities, interpreters no longer must reside in the same geography as clients; there are no geographic restrictions. This provides lifestyle flexibility for interpreters who can work wherever they choose while accessing a wider market of clients.
On-Demand Access
Managed networks of remote interpreters have extensive availability across languages. This allows for on-demand requests rather than the advanced scheduling required for in-person bookings.
If an unexpected interpreting need arises, clients can get an interpreter working within seconds rather than hours. This level of responsive service was previously impossible. CLI’s on-demand interpreters are available 24/7 and in 230+ languages to meet your needs.
Optimized Use of Technology
While language barriers persist universally, remote interpretation leverages technologies to facilitate meaningful communication across geographies.
From feature-rich web-conferencing apps to telephone conference lines, proven, reliable technologies underpin remote sessions. Optimized UX design delivers low-latency, fully interactive experiences.
For example, CLI’s video remote interpreting (VRI) service delivers effective communication through MERFi, our VRI solution. MERFi connects you via high-quality video and audio to remote video interpreters. It also allows for customizations and flexibility should your team need it.
Best Practices for Effective Sessions
While technology facilitates remote sessions, success ultimately depends on clients following best practices for remote interpretations. By dedicating focus to preparation and conduct, clients reassure their customers while getting the most from sessions.
Learn Equipment Thoroughly
Take time beforehand to ensure familiarity with any equipment, including conferencing platforms or telephone services. Verify audio and camera capabilities, understand control options, and test connectivity.
Troubleshooting technical difficulties mid-session distracts from communicating priorities. Instead, identify IT teams to assist in investigating any issues after sessions if necessary without distracting the attendees.
Guarantee Sufficient Bandwidth
Prioritize interpreting quality by supplying reliable internet speeds. For group video calls, a single participant lacking adequate bandwidth disrupts the entire discussion with lag, freeze frames, garbled audio, or disconnections. IT teams can assess infrastructure capacity planning for usage needs.
Grasp Interpreter Protocols
Familiarize yourself with interpreter protocols, like interpreters speaking in the first person and tonality. If discussions become confusing, interpreters may interject to clarify details essential for them to accurately convey information.
Never expect interpreters to summarize or purposely exclude content they deem irrelevant. As transparency remains crucial, also anticipate slight delays as interpreters convert meanings and context between parties.
Reduce Background Noise
Find private, quiet spaces, close doors, and minimize distractions like hallway conversations or ringing phones. For group settings, explain etiquette to other participants like waiting for interpreters to finish entirely before respondents reply.
How to Find the Right Remote Interpretation Service
If your business can benefit from remote interpretation services, make these considerations when choosing a provider:
- Interpreting experience: Prioritize agencies with years of demonstrated success in facilitating remote interpreting scenarios, like healthcare, legal proceedings, academic research, finance, or utilities.
- Language range and depth: If you know your customers speak a range of languages, look for a provider that can meet those needs. CLI offers interpretation in 230+ languages.
- Compliance and security: Ensure your provider has strict privacy and confidentiality protocols. This is especially important in industries like healthcare and banking. Learn more about CLI’s security measures.
- Purpose-built technology: Make sure the provider offers an intuitive user experience across their remote platform. When you need remote interpretation on demand, you don’t want to struggle with a confusing platform.
Reach More Clients with CLI’s Remote Interpretation in 230+ Languages
Look to Certified Languages International for Remote Interpretation
If you want to reap the benefits of remote interpretation, look to CLI. Our remote services include audio and video interpreting that you can access within seconds.
In addition to having easy-to-access remote interpreting services, CLI has interpreters skilled in providing quality, on-demand service. Not only do we have experience, but our interpreters have knowledge of industries like banking, healthcare, insurance, and more.
If you’re looking for a language services provider that works as an extension of your team to positively reflect your brand and help you connect with more people, we’re here to help. Request a quote for our services or learn more about the benefits of interpretation by exploring topics like why interpreters in banking are important.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does remote interpretation work?
Remote interpretation relies on communication technologies like video conferencing platforms and telephone lines to connect individuals requiring interpreting services with professional interpreters. Interpreters facilitate discussions in real-time, converting conversations from the source language to the target language.
Is remote interpretation confidential?
Reputable interpretation agencies implement strict protocols around data privacy and confidentiality backed by technologies like encrypted communication channels. Participants’ identities and session content should remain protected.
