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Due to globalization, country boundaries took a step backwards and communication superseded them.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.
