Basic Characteristics of Language Interpretation Forms

(Last Updated On: June 11, 2015)

Language Interpretation Forms


Usually many interpreters find part-time or full-time language interpretation jobs in universities or colleges, hospitals, government or big corporations. There are also many interpreters, who work directly for business and companies, and through private or public companies.

When any of the institutions – hospitals, police stations, attorneys, local businesses, private clinics – needs an interpreter, they send the request to the local service and the message is sent to the interpreters available on service roster. There are some projects that need to be completed within one meeting, and some that can last for a week, or even several months.   Find the correct information so you can differ between telephone interpreting vs on site interpreting vs video interpreting.

Cost of language interpretation may increase greatly in global business if you need the service, but for the largest corporations, taking the language services is the most effective solution.

 Phone interpretation

Telephone interpreting is a form of language interpretation in which individuals who do not speak the same language communicate via phone. The job of the interpreter is to help them overcome the language barriers by transferring the meaning of the messages between individuals in a consecutive manner.

This method is cost-effective. It saves time for traveling, the costs of many clients, but the interpreter’s time over the phone is much cheaper. They are also wanted for some sensitive situations, when clients would rather not have the third party to be physically present. Phone interpreters are always available, and that is good for emergency calls.

This form of language interpretation is very useful, cost-effective, and time saving, and it allows companies to communicate easily with people who speak different languages.

 On site interpreting

This form of language interpretation involves the physical presence of an interpreter at a certain location to provide person-to-person interpretation for clients with limited knowledge of the English language, or for Deaf individuals or groups. Interpretation on site is more common in situations where events last for more than a few minutes, with planned appointments, and in cases when human interaction and visual contact are essential.

 Video interpreting

Video interpretation is a form of language interpretation for the deaf and hearing impaired people, to correspond when they are at the same place. This service is provided by a web cam connected to the computer or tools for video conferences, with high-speed internet connection.

Video interpreters provide easy communication among clients who are located at the same site. If a sign language is needed, the interpreter first hears the words of the people through the microphone or a telephone, and transfers the message into sign language, through the video or a web cam, and the deaf person is able to see that on his/her video screen. On the other hand, when deaf persons access the webcam, interpreters can see them on the screen, and provide oral language interpretation via microphone or telephone for people who can hear.

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