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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Medical Interpreting Services

Medical Interpreting Services in Florida: Challenges and Opportunities

The medical field is characterized by discoveries and knowledge across cultural boundaries globally. Thus, medical interpretation is more demanding compared to other types of interpretation. Furthermore, such interpretation services are essential to providing healthcare services to minorities and foreigners.

Medical interpreters face several challenges. Some of them include medical terminology, specialization, readability, and unique characteristics of the medical language.

Medical Terminology

First, the terminology used in the medical field is very specific, whether it concerns drugs, the health condition of the patients, or the infections that afflict them. As a result, medical interpretation requires specialized interpreters who are knowledgeable in the special language of medicine and healthcare. To provide documents that would be very useful to doctors and nurses in caring for their patients, a medical interpreter must possess a deep knowledge of the sector’s technical terminology.

Specialization

Besides the technical terminology, the medical field is highly specialized. Like doctors, medical interpreters are often specialists in different fields. For instance, an interpreter who specializes in cardiology cannot be expected to offer medical interpreting services dealing with hematology.

Type of Audience

Additionally, the use of medical language varies based on the participants and communicative situations. Specialized terms are used during expert-to-expert communication, such as discharge summaries, case studies, case notes, imaging reports, and research papers. On the contrary, if the medical interpreting services are between an expert and lay readers, such as between a medical device manufacturer and an end-user or doctor with the patient, the medical interpreter must use less complex language.

Unique Characteristics of the Medical Language

Foremost, a large portion of the medical terminology is composed of eponyms. These are terms derived from famous scientists, medical procedures, signs and symptoms, medical devices, diseases, and the titles of human anatomy. Examples include Alzheimer’s disease, Bard-Parker scalpel, Heller myotomy, Fallopian tubes, Adam’s apple, Parkinson’s disease, Jefferson fracture, Lou, and Gehrig disease.

Additionally, the medical world is full of acronyms and abbreviations. While English is the lingua franca in medicine and many of the English abbreviations and acronyms are adopted by other languages, there are exceptions that interpreters have to deal with.
Finally, medical language is frequented with the use of doublets and word compounding. For instance, heart failure, patient safety, health care, and contrast medium are compound nominal phrases that are commonly used in fundamental medical English. Also, doublets, such as the auditory canal, oral cavity, adipose tissue, optic nerve, frontal bone, and spinal cord can be troublesome during interpretation. A medical interpreter should choose carefully the term to use depending on the target audience.

Solutions for the Challenges of Medical Interpretation

A high-quality medical interpretation is based on the symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship between the medical institution and the client. At the same time, language service providers must employ medical interpreters who are experts in different fields of healthcare and medicine. At Homeland Language Services, we faithfully deliver world-class interpretation to caregivers and patients at their critical moments of need.

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Situations Where You Need Language Interpreting Service in Orlando

Having a professional interpreter help you communicate in a situation can make it a lot less stressful than using just anyone who may not have a thorough command of the language. The following are some situations where a professional interpreter is critical.

Interviews

Some of the most common types of interviews where you need language interpreting service Orlando include immigration interviews, job interviews, and police interviews. More importantly, it is crucial to have an interpreter present during a high-pressure situation, such as an interrogation. Firstly, a professional interpreter ensures that the communication exchange is accurate as the information is sensitive and there are serious consequences for misspeaking. Besides, professional interpreters practice cultural competency and can help explain or diffuse tension during these sorts of interviews.

Medical Appointments

The terminology used in the medical field is very specific, whether it concerns medication, the health condition of the patient, or the infection that afflicts them. As a result, medical translation requires specialized translators who are knowledgeable in the special language of medicine and healthcare. It is important to request an interpreter in advance to make sure you get one to help you communicate with the doctor. There are several reasons why having a professional interpreter is critical during a medical appointment. Notably, a professional can help you accurately describe your symptoms, medication, or concerns so that the doctor understands. Also, a professional medical interpreter is much more experienced using medical terminology. As well, professional interpreters adhere strictly to confidentiality agreements and a code of ethics. Finally, a professional interpreter is an impartial third party and will not try to change the interpretation between the LEP and the doctor.

International Business

The business field is characterized by discoveries and knowledge across cultural boundaries globally. Thus, a professional interpreter hired by an international business should prepare themselves for many tasks. They are expected to interpret at pivotal meetings, make contact with business partners, and interpret information for a new and current client. Professional interpreting services are always needed at lectures where business plans, new products, or information are explained, during calls, exhibitions, in-person, or video meetings. It is important to get a professional interpreter with experience specific to your industry. Professional interpreters spend their careers focusing on one industry segment so that they are specialized in the protocols and jargon.

Court Proceedings

Limited language proficient individuals who need interpretation services will find language interpreting services in Orlando necessary during juvenile court, criminal, and civil proceedings. In a court proceeding, a professional interpreter is required to accurately render a professional interpretation so that all information presented and spoken in the courtroom is understood by the limited language proficient individual.  Besides, both terminology and sight translation are critical in a court setting. At the same time, the code of ethics and scope of practice for professional legal interpreters is of the highest standard.

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video remote interpreting

Where to Find Language Interpretation Service in Orlando

The beautiful city, Orlando, is world-famous for its exciting theme parks like Disney, Sea World, and Universal, and a lot more. Most people don’t know it is also a preferred destination for globe level conferences in the United States. Both constructively enforced around 75 million visitors, only in the year 2019, from diverse global regions with different respective local languages to reach Orlando.

Every year the count of international visitors coming to Orlando is increasing in millions. It is because of the conventional beauty of the city, Orlando, that it attracts all types of events. Homeland Language Services delivers the most trusted language interpretation service in Orlando. We are highly excited to serve your company or group on your visit to Orlando with all sorts of interpretation requirements throughout your trip.

Language Interpreter Service
Our qualified and talented interpreters are available 24/7 on phone calls or on-site to take you away from the language barriers. For all circumstances & purposes, such as legal or non-legal interpretation concerning official or personal situations, eligible interpreters will be there to help you.

On-site or On-phone Interpretation
There are two possible ways in which you can opt for interpretation service: On-site or on-phone. If you choose on-site, our interpreter would travel along with you throughout your trip, since they are accredited native speaker, have proper certification, training, degrees, and experience to assist you in every small situation.

At Homeland Language Services, we provide interpretation in most of all major languages such as Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, French, Russian, German, American Sign Language (ASL), and much more. If you’re looking for language interpretation service in Orlando, we have got it all to set things up for you. You can get in touch with any time for any doubts regarding the service, we are here to help you.

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Language Interpreting Service in Los Angeles

Traits to Check before Hiring an Interpreter

Speaking more than one language is highly impressive. But being able to professionally interpret is a completely different thing. An effective language interpreter possesses top-notch language skills. The can combine a number of linguistic and interpersonal abilities to get the job done right.

Important Characteristics of Good Interpreters

Language Skills
It is important for interpreters to have a good grasp of the language they interpret for. You can find this obvious, but it’s not always the case. An extensive vocabulary and excellent written and verbal communication are a must. He should have the ability to interpret idioms, nuance and metaphors.

Specific Knowledge
If the interpreter is working in a healthcare of legal industry then he needs to have specialized knowledge in a certain area for successful interpretation. This is known as one of the most important qualities and thus, should not be overlooked.

Important Skills
He is a lot more than just a skilled linguist. It is important to note that he should be a good and compassionate listener as this plays a pivotal role in having right interpretation.

Cultural Proficiency
Interpreter should have a cultural understanding of the languages they interpret for. This can help in identifying some non-verbal customs and cues that are specific to a geographical place or a group of people. Having complete knowledge of cultural norms will enable an interpreter to convey the right message.

The need for language interpreting services in Los Angeles is increasing at a rapid pace and Homeland Language Services completely understands this, thus they have highly skilled interpreters.

They ensure complete accuracy and qualitative language interpretation services. Hence, you can expand your brand internationally without worrying about anything.

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Language Interpreting Service

Differences between Certified and Non-certified Interpreters

Most people assume that being bilingual automatically indicates or equals the ability to interpret. On the contrary, bilingualism is not a sufficient guarantee of competency for one to work as an interpreter. In addition, having a certificate of attendance does not make you become a certified interpreter. You can seek professional interpreters’ services in San Francisco to get the difference. A certificate attests to attendance and successful completion of a targeted training or course on interpretation and is offered by the same entity that offered the training. On the other hand, being certified means that your proficiency has been assessed impartially by a third party. In this regard, a certified interpreter has an official recognition from a certifying body that he/she possesses certain qualifications and meets certain standards.

There are important reasons to choose a certified interpreter for facilitate appointment, conference or meeting. We have discussed the four most important below:

A certified interpreter offers trustworthy interpretations

A certified interpreter has gone through rigorous training to interpret different conversations taking place simultaneously or complex sentences. In addition, a certified interpreter maintains neutrality during a meeting or appointment and never offers personal opinions. Finally, he/she understands that you are at liberty to know the full context of the information being interpreted.

A certified interpreter has the ability to interpret complex vocabulary

A certified interpreter has gone through thorough testing of their language and knowledge of their fields of specialization. For this reason, they understand the terms used in their field of specialization in addition to understanding the language being interpreted. A non-certified translator is less likely to understand the content of interpretation and you may get a highly inaccurate interpretation.

Confidentiality

Certified interpreters like those offering language interpreting services in Los Angeles are held to a strict code of conduct, of which confidentiality is part. As a result, certified interpreters offer security that critical information cannot be breached.

Professionalism

Certified interpreters have consistent and flawless experience in professionalism. They are consciously aware of the high standards they are held to, including how they conduct themselves to clients.

If you are looking for a reputable company with skilled and qualified interpreters that have met all certification specifications, you can depend on Homeland Language Services. Expect the expertise that can only come from a certified interpreter.

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