What is the Over-the-Phone Interpretation?

Over-the-Phone interpretation or OPI is a three-way call interpreting service. The interpreter works during the conversation between two parties who speak different languages. The biggest benefit of this service is that it can be provided remotely. 

Homeland Language Services is one of the fastest-growing private Interpreting companies in the United States of America with more than 500 interpreters. A big number of specialists in this team are over-the-phone interpreters. That is the reason why we are talking about them here today. 

What is Over-the-Phone interpretation used for?

Due to globalization, country boundaries took a step backwards and communication superseded them. The communication stepped on the first one. People need to communicate with each other even if they don’t speak the same language. This can happen due to different reasons: immigration, relocation, international activity, or business. Lots of countries are becoming multicultural every day and this process needs new solutions. And one of such solutions is Over-the-Phone interpreting services. 

Nowadays, they are used mostly in the medical and healthcare field, in legal and government, in educational and in social industries. Less English Proficiency (LEP) people need to get the services and the organization is interested in adequately providing the required aid. To overcome the language barrier, they are searching for reliable language services providers. By gaining such a partnership, you get the interpreting services on your fingerprints. There is no reason to wait for a language expert, to accommodate him and pay for all travel expenses and the job itself. Clients are getting their interpreters on the phone at any time, at any location in the world.

That’s why OPI is vital for emergencies like when there is an accident, a crime, or difficult medical situations with people speaking other languages than English. There are lots of cases when fast and comprehensive interpretation saves a person’s life.

Who is an Over-the-Phone interpreter?

The interpreter, who provides OPI service, works with consecutive interpretation. He is connected to the call with the help of a special software (VoIP or Skype for Business, for example) on his computer or laptop. Each interpreter is equipped with a good headset with noise cancellation, stable internet, and paper for note-taking. The interpreter in Homeland Language Services works for two parties: one of them speaks English and the second one – a foreign language. The main role of a language specialist is to listen carefully to speaker 1 and transfer messages to speaker 2 in the appropriate language and vice versa. 

There are two types of accessing to OPI: automated and Operator-led. 

The automated one uses an Interactive voice response application. The application converts the keyed Dual Tone Multi-Frequency data (or just the word) into a request to connect with the needed language interpreter. The system works with unique language combinations that the calling party uses as a code for the request.

The operator-lead type works due to the customer’s relations team. The specialists gather the information from the client or calling party and connect him to the right interpreter. This method is more typical for emergency services when the caller has no idea which language code to use.

People can use the OPI service when both parties are located in different places. Moreover, two parties, speaking different languages, can be in the same room. They just need to call an interpreter and turn on the speakerphone. Such a variant is commonly used in medical facilities: when the doctor and the patient are in one room.

Different industries currently have a high need for professional language experts. Therefore, there is a rise in demand for Over-the-phone interpreters on the market. If you are an interpreter and you have experience, you can try working as an OPI in a language provider agency, such as Homeland Language Services. Our company values each staff member who helps a lot during the onboarding process and provides internal training and the possibility to get new certifications for your career development. Also, the benefit of working with us as OPI is that you can do that from any country in the world because the OPI positions are 100% remote. To know more follow our Career portal. 

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How to become an interpreter?

If you have a strong knowledge of English, or if it is your Native Language, or you also know American Sign Language, you can think about a career as an interpreter. Nowadays, interpreting services have high demand all over the world. Moreover, due to technological development, you can work remotely from any country. 

We are happy to share several tips on how to become an interpreter and a story from Homeland Language Services’ interpreter to inspire you. 

Interpreters are responsible for transferring messages from one language to another accurately. The interpreter acts between two parties with different voices, accents, and tempos. Meanwhile, the interpreter should stay neutral and transmit information without omissions or additions. The interpreter has to handle the communication according to the interpreting protocol in order to ensure transparency.

Steps to become an interpreter:
  1. 1. Get an educational background. A lot of companies require interpreters to get a bachelor’s degree.
  2. 2. Get the experience. For the first time, you can volunteer at hospitals or non-profit organizations. 
  3. 3. Get the interpretation training and certifications. Certifications from the American Translator’s Association or Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters are not obligatory for getting the job, but they verify your professional skills. 
  4. 4. Apply for a job. Update your resume, write a cover letter, find open positions for interpreters and apply to them. Besides, there is a choice of positions for professional interpreters. You can be an over-the-phone interpreter, video remote interpreter, onsite interpreter, or ASL interpreter. Choose, what better suits you. 

And here is an inspiring review about interpreter’s job from our language specialist Camila Fernandez from Argentina:

“Working as an interpreter caught my attention because I love helping people and I am fond of languages and translating; so I thought this position suited me. After one month of training, I was ready to work. However, it was not easy and it still isn’t sometimes. I face different scenarios every day due to the vocabulary and situations according to the different people.

There were times when I felt like surrendering but had I taken the chance, I would not be where I am right now: I have grown both as a professional and as a person because of how much I have learned at my job. Failure has helped me improve.

Hence, as Ray Bradbury said, “love what you do and do what you love”, try to find your vocation in life. Life is much better when you follow and work on your dreams. Looking back, I know that younger me would be proud of myself for accomplishing my objectives and for working hard. I guess I was cut out to be an interpreter after all.

Thank you for giving me the chance to tell my experience as an interpreter. I really like being part of this team!”

We hope that this article will inspire you to get a new profession and start your new career stage!

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Certified Interpreter Services

Find the Best Certified Interpreter Services in Florida

Imagine that you were about to pitch a client to have business with you and suddenly they lost interest because of some language issues. Won’t it be quite devastating? Hence one thing is clear that language plays an important role in establishing long term business deals. Best certified interpreter services from one of the leading language centers in America can be extremely helpful to deal with languages issues. Having several accredited interpreters at its end, Homeland Language Services has emerged as one of the most reliable company to handle all the language affairs.

Though we provide excellent translation services, our interpretation services also have a flair of perfection in them. We divide our interpretation services into two categories depending upon:

  • The location of our client
  • Their tone of conversation

Location
Since we understand that time crunch might require a client to avail our services over the phone, we provide over-the-phone interpretation. We also offer the service of on-site interpretation. Even though our translators/interpreters can travel to your location 24/7, you are free to choose any of the aforesaid options as per your convenience.

Tone of Conversation
With respect to the tone of your conversation, we provide services like simultaneous interpretation and consecutive interpretation. In simultaneous interpretation you experience real time interpretation services as each person speaks naturally with least pauses in between. While in consecutive interpretation, the role of interpreter comes into play whenever the speaker pauses in between.

At Homeland Language Services, we ensure to promote high quality in each of our services whether it is translation, interpretation, proofreading, medical transcription etc. Since it is good to seek assistance from a company that provides best certified interpreter services, we are sure that our authorized language center would be of great help to you. Call us for more information!

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