Note-taking tips for medical interpreters from interpreters in Homeland Language Services

The job of a medical interpreter requires a good memory, but it is still difficult to remember all the important details, especially when the speech for interpretation is long. The good news is that there are useful tips for effective note-taking, which can help a medical interpreter to catch all the details. 

  1. 1. Use keywords and abbreviations. 

It is better to focus on the KEYwords and phrases, instead of writing full sentences. You will save time and demonstrate a good speed of your interpreting. If you need to remember a complete sentence, use the abbreviations where possible. But you need to learn them and keep your glossary updated. Find one of the examples here.

  1. 2. Write down the keywords and terms in a particular order.

Try to write important terms and words in the order of a timeline. This method will help you to keep  track of the conversation and circle back to smaller details, those mentioned earlier in the conversation.. 

  1. 3. Use pictures and symbols.

If you can draw sketches and read them for interpreting, definitely use this method! Doodling improves memory, so it is an additional benefit for you. 

Moreover, with the help of symbols and  highlights you can indicate the main points of the conversation.

Our Arabic-English interpreter invented his own style of sketches. Ahmed AbouZekry from Egypt makes the illustrations from his notes for medical interpretation. Have you seen such notes before?

  1. 4. Group main ideas.

It is a good way to write down the main idea of the conversation or a part of it, and then to add supporting ones. This way you can create word clouds that will help you see all the information you need  at the same time. 

  1. 5. Use the “Subject, Verb, Object” method. 

The Subject, Verb, Object (or SVO) variant is part of a note-taking  method  first introduced by Jean-Francois Rozan in his 7 principles. It is performed exactly as its name describes..

On a piece of paper, write down the subject, verb, and object of each sentence you are listening to in descending order, diagonally to the right. Each new sentence or topic is separated by a horizontal line on a page.

Writing the main parts of the sentence, and in a way that shows their hierarchical relationship to each other, will help you better remember what was said.

 

Note-taking is one of the best tools that you can use during consecutive medical interpretation. Now you have tips on how to help yourself during the interpreting of medical calls. Try to practice them! You need some time to make it a habit and to use it in your daily work routine, so keep your head up and try to do this every day!

If you need interpretation or translation services, send us your request. 

In case you want to work at Homeland Language Services, check our Career portal. 

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The power of language – story of American senator Victoria Spartz

At the very moment, when an ordinary girl from Nosivka (a small town in Ukraine) becomes an American senator and votes for a lend-lease for Ukraine.

In 1999, Victoria Kulheyko was traveling around Ukraine by train and noticed that an American man, named Jason Spartz was trying to order dinner but the waiter did not know English. And nobody else in the train car knew how to speak English. So she offered to help him interpret. Mr. Spartz was very grateful and both exchanged their contact information.

With the years, they both got to know each other better and fell in love. In the year 2,000, Miss Kulheyko became Mrs. Spartz and moved to the U.S.A. 

Her husband’s successful agrarian business received great support from Victoria in accounting and finance. Her talent was noticed and soon, she started teaching at Indiana University.

Victoria became one of the founding members of the Hamilton County, Indiana, Tea Party. She served as the CFO in the Indiana Attorney General’s office and she was also an adjunct faculty member at the Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis.

In June 2019 Victoria announced her candidacy for Indiana’s 5th congressional district. And to everyone’s surprise, she won the Republican primary elections on June 2, 2020. Her candidacy for the Senate was supported by 187,000 Americans.

This is how, from a simple dialogue with a foreigner, Victoria Spartz became an extraordinary foreigner leader and an example to many people. 

“I look forward to contributing to the United States’ beacon of freedom and hope for people around the world, and to promoting the free market and the rule of law in countries suffering from corruption and oppression. My warmest wishes to Ukrainians!” – this is the phrase Victoria said during one of her first speeches in the Senate.

The time has come. The lend-lease act was signed on May 9th, 2022. This is the start of a new era in the Russo-Ukrainian War when Ukraine is able to get great support to save and restore the country’s sovereignty.

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Better Speech and Language Month – what you should know about our company

5% of people all over the world experience hearing loss, and another 5% have speech problems. Communication is very important to our lives.

Better Speech and Language Month was set out to raise awareness of issues surrounding communication problems, such as an inability to hear properly or speak effectively.

Homeland Language Services provides different types of services. Among them, you can find American Sign Language Interpretation and Video Remote Interpretation. These types of language services help people with speech and hearing problems. They get the possibility to communicate and solve their medical or social issues. 

The main role of a sign language interpreter is to create effective communication between deaf people and individuals who can hear. The interpretation requires fluency in two or more languages, and the ability to focus on what is being shown and said professional and ethical conduct. Interpreters from Homeland Language Services serve all the parties during the communication. Due to their work deaf and hard hearing, people can feel like meaningful members of society. 

Video Remote Interpretation makes life easier for limited-English speakers and the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing because they can see their correspondent and feel heard. Video interpretation has more advantages than over-the-phone services when individual contact is vital. The visual presence of all parties makes the conversation trustworthy, easy, and clear. VRI replaced the work of the interpreter on-site. During the coronavirus crisis, it is vital to be safe and decrease the number of social contacts. That’s why we always suggest our clients use Video Remote Interpreting.

Interpreters in Homeland Language Services are HIPAA compliant and work in more than 100 languages. 

This month is held for over nine decades to make people think about their hearing and speech. Our language specialists are always ready to help people with hearing and speaking problems. But we want to share the signs which indicate them:

  • You need to ask people to repeat what they said;
  • You need to turn your ear towards a sound to hear it clearly;
  • You need to look directly at the person to understand he;
  • You can hear clearly the group conversation;
  • You listen to TV or music at a high volume;
  • You have a pain or a ringing in your ears. 

Be attentive to your health and stay aware of different signals from your body. 

 

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Happy English Language Day

English Language Day is a must-have celebration for all interpreters and translators in the world.
From the very beginning, it was a quiet language on a small cluster of islands off the coast of Western Europe. It developed and spread all over the world during its’ history. It brings together everyone for trade and communication and serves as a second language in almost every nation. English has become the official language of nearly 60 countries.

Our colleague Milena Colombo, HR Talent Acquisition Specialist at Homeland Language Services, shared with us some interesting facts about her love story with English, the goal of our company and about the unique English word 😉

Watch this video together with us and find out what Milena told us.
If you want to know more about history of English Language Day, continue reading!

History Of English Language Day

The first mentions of the English Language were in the medieval England. The modern name of language derived from the Angles. The Angles were a West Germanic tribe that found its way to England, taking their name from the Anglia peninsula. English language has been taken on grammar, tones, and words from every language it has come into contact with.

English language became so powerful that it is now the Lingua France of the entire world. 

The interesting fact, English also stands as one of the most complicated languages to learn as a second language (it stands with Japanese toe to toe). 

What interesting facts do you know about English language?

 

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Stories of volunteers in Homeland Language Services

Volunteers selflessly benefit the lives of others. The people, who volunteer, make the world a better place. Volunteer Recognition Day acknowledges the beauty of this phenomenon. Every day there is a place for help. You can help other people, animals, and nature. 

We are proud to share stories of Homeland Language Services’ employees who volunteer and try to make this world better. 

“From February 24th lots of people in my country, Ukraine, became volunteers. So did I. I helped our army and volunteering organizations with money from the start of the war, which was initiated by Russia. I don’t count how I helped my family in occupied Chernihiv, because it is my family. I had to help them with evacuation, electric generator, money, and medications. Moreover, in the city where I live, Dnipro, I help the shelter for refugees with clothes. During the war, I made lots of free translations of documents. Just because I can. 

Each Ukrainian person, who has enough power and mental strength to do something in such a situation, tries to help with useful information, money, clothes, food, and drugs. During the war, we see an unbelievable amount of volunteers and volunteering organizations. Lots of them are working under the fire, a lot of them were killed and injured… Nowadays, volunteers are the second heroes after militaries,” – Kseniya Tarasova, Homeland Language Services. 

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“I volunteered with Amnesty International in Bangkok. I set up a program for refugee children to get scholarships at international schools in Thailand. Children from Myanmar, Eritrea, Congo and other countries where they came from as refugees could study at schools completely free because of the project that we started,” – Kirill Konin, Homeland Language Services. 

“I am a volunteer translator for a Foundation in my home country Venezuela called Fundacion Madre Maria Luisa Casar. It is a school for 400 children located in a high-risk area of Caracas called Petare. They provide education, nutrition, and health services for the children and their families, as well as to the community where they are located. As a volunteer, I am in charge of translating their monthly newsletters for the Global Giving fundraising platform, as this is their main source of funding. This project is very dear to me and it is a blessing to be able to contribute,” – Gabriela Salas, Homeland Language Services. 

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“I had a kind of volunteering experience in Africa. I was there for around 10 days in 2020 (January). I saw how kids living in really poor areas are involved in education with unsuccessful methodologies, unfortunately, and the lack of organization, which is hugely afflicting locals. 

I was with my Kenyan friend, Betty, and on that particular occasion, she could explain to me a bit more about the habits of the community as well as the diseases that kids or adults are subjected to seasonally. We tried to run our own NGO that was aimed to build a school in the area of Kilifi, but then, the virus came and we had to stop running it. 

We are planning, however, to start it again soon! :)” – Sara Mazzuoli, Homeland Language Services. 

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“I’m so glad to hear there are so many of us (volunteers) and the number keeps on growing.  

I’ve been a volunteer for over a decade in a local NGO helping people after mental crises and those diagnosed with severe mental illnesses. It’s worth mentioning that the city I live in, Szczecin, is one of the biggest cities in Poland. Yet my organization is just a drop in the ocean of needs. However, thanks to volunteers and municipal support we celebrated the 17th anniversary this year and ain’t gonna stop.

I teach English in this NGO and give overall language support. Now and then I also act as a tour guide or a cleaning lady. My point is that there is always something to be done and everyone has skills to share, ever the slightest support matters. So it’s worth sharing your time, even an hour weekly to help. 

There is great power if people act together and every little help counts. Plus those who are being helped are mostly great teachers we learn from the big time,” – Małgorzata Gajda, Homeland Language Services.

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Happy Chinese Language Day!

Let’s celebrate Chinese Language Day by trying to learn Chinese! Our Chinese-English interpreter Karl Tsoi will help you with that 🙂

More than one billion people speak Chinese as their first language — it is more than any other population! The first time Chinese Language Day was celebrated in 2010.

So, let’s learn how to say “thank you” in Cantonese and Mandarin with Karl right now:

 

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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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interpretation services in Washington

Interpretation Services in Washington Became More Popular

The job market is changing every year. But now due to technological development and new pandemic rules, changes are constant. We found the information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics that in 2019 there were 77,400 interpreters employed in the USA, working in the education, medicine, law, and business field. It is the data that was collected two years ago. Can you just imagine how this number has grown during this time? How many offers does a person receive when googling “Interpreter near me”?

The majority of interpretation services in Washington and anywhere else are remote. Language specialists work remotely with flexible or fixed schedules. Today there are lots of different language companies or agencies. Moreover, professionals sometimes choose to work as individuals or freelancers. Data shows that the highest number of interpreters, though, are officially employed workers. We can’t count the independent freelancers with contracts who provide interpretation services in Washington from all over the world. 

It is said, that the number of interpreters and translators all over the world will definitely grow by 2029. Here we are talking about an increase of 20%! It’s one of the highest rates on the American labor market. Global migration tendencies result in a higher number of non-English speakers living in English-speaking countries such as the United States of America. That’s why the job of the interpreter will be of immediate interest for a long time in the future. 

Nowadays, interpretation services are provided with the help of several devices. For example, for the healthcare industry, the most popular is Over-the-Phone interpretation. Most of Washington’s Hospitals that use interpretation services are satisfied with communication with interpreters on the phone line. It is very comfortable to set up the appointments, conduct first-time visits, make the laboratory work or the procedure. 

Among others, interpretation services include Video remote interpreting services. This year it was noticed that Video remotes services were often used in schools and universities. Education became online for some period of the academic year and it was vital to keep the close contact between students and teachers alive. Additionally, teachers are calling parents of students also with the help of video remote interpretation services. 

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, onsite interpretation services in Washington are also in need. Sometimes the request to find an “Interpreter near me” means to get the interpreting services physically in one place. For instance, it can be the court session for the less-English proficient person. He definitely needs the help of an interpreter in the building of the court, not by the telephone line or video call. Onsite interpreters can provide their clients with two types of services: simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. Both occur in real-time, but during simultaneous one, both parties speak naturally without pauses, and consecutive interpretation gives the interpreter a word between speeches of two parties. 

Today we talked about interpretation services in Washington, and you see that this language niche is quite modern and can be helpful in any life situation with the help of a device or the physical presence of a professional interpreter.

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The Role of Interpreting and Translating Services in the Beauty Industry

The beauty industry serves an international market consisting of a myriad of different languages and cultures. The beauty industry spans three different categories, comprising nail and nail care, skin and skincare, hair and haircare. Due to globalization and digitization, brands and products have to be scaled to international standards while still being able to reach and local market with a help of interpreting and translating services.

As long as you are part of a global industry, professional language services are a necessity. By considering interpreting and translating services, your beauty business is sure to expand and grow successfully. Besides, using the services of professional interpreters and translators helps build relationships within your desired markets because you are speaking the language of the people and making a connection. More fundamental, as an international company, you will have an abundance of social media campaigns, product packaging, and marketing materials that your customers need to understand, meaning you need to translate them to your audience.

Here are the reasons the beauty industry needs professional interpreting and translating services:

1. More and more companies are going purely digital especially in light of the global pandemic. That said, a digital platform means you automatically can have a global audience which in turn means that people who may not speak your native language may be potential customers so interpretation and translation services will be required.

2. Advertising and marketing your beauty products and services are best done in several languages in order to maximize your brand’s visibility and attract new customers. For sure this will increase sales and the popularity of your brand on the local markets within your international community. In addition to this, professional interpretation and translation services also open your products and services to more languages, which eventually increases your website traffic and conversions. Homeland Language Services is here to help you interpret and translate any content within the beauty industry into any language that is required.

3. The beauty industry can be a complex world especially when a key pillar for growth on the international scene depends on broadening the communication and advertising of your brand. For that various designs may be required. Moreover, the beauty industry is a 100% global sector, where all its products and services are meant to reach every corner of the world. To achieve this, beauty companies are encouraged to invest in advertising campaigns, play integral roles in fashion shows, do beneficial media events and of course, show up and show out on social media.

With the growing demand for products and services in the digital space of e-commerce, there is no doubt that the beauty industry needs interpretation and translation services. Homeland Language Services can help you reach and effectively convert your audience into loyal customers.

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