In a few days, you have an important call with a potential client and you don't speak his or her language... the person in question desperately needs to communicate an urgent problem to you, but you don't know Chinese... You ask yourself, "Where can I find an interpreter?"
Google will of course provide the quickest response and put you in touch with endless language agencies, freelance linguists or the usual language service giants that have the largest advertising spend, but what else do you need to know about this seemingly simple request? You can find interpreters with deep knowledge in almost any field or specialization, sign language interpreters, telephone interpreters and, all the more so in the wake of the pandemic, virtual interpreters.
What to know before looking for an interpreter
You have identified the need to bridge a language gap, great. That's the first step in creating a line of communication for your customers. But you also need to find out first if there are dialectal or regional considerations unique to the language you're looking for. Take Chinese, for example. While the official state language of China is Mandarin, Cantonese is widely spoken in Hong Kong and many other provinces in China. Therefore, it becomes a priority to make sure you understand the dialectal nuance you need, or else you will be incommunicado!
An interpreter at international congresses combines two skills
Next to the language needed is the second most important consideration. What field or specialization do you need for your interpreting? Most high-level interpreters find themselves mastering particular subjects such as legal, health care, or other particular specialized fields. Each field has its own vocabulary and jargon-a beginner-level interpreter may literally possess neither to properly interpret your client's thoughts and concerns. This can invariably lead to frustration or worse to an abrupt termination of client relations. No one wants to see his or her speech misinterpreted, incorrectly edited, or simplified to the point that what is said is offensive.
The medium and mode are the message
By what means and tools do you intend to carry out interpretation? Well yes, there are so many ways of interpretation nowadays thanks to the power of technology, such as telephone or remote interpretation.
Phone interpretation is great for those quick calls or settings where a person simply cannot be present (e.g., in jail). It allows you to communicate quickly with a client or someone who needs to better understand a process, such as the local government agency. Phone interpretation may not be the best solution when you are dealing with very serious issues, cases where a person's fate hangs in the balance. A legal or medical setting generally requires an interpreter to be on site and actively interpret the conversation, expressions, and nuances that occur between the speaking parties.
On-site interpretation sometimes requires a little advance planning, but it provides a richer interpretation. It also allows the patient or consumer to experience greater comfort and ease of conversation. A good interpreter knows how to fill the scene inconspicuously, minimizing his or her presence to leave room for the parties. You will also notice that a good interpreter always takes notes, which he or she will then destroy at the end of the session for reasons of privacy and confidentiality.
The third major means of interpretation is one that has gained more and more ground with the outbreak of the pandemic. This type of interpretation is called remote interpreting or long-distance interpreting and is now used across the board in all kinds of fields. Consider the medical field, which with telemedicine has also reached new levels of popularity and growth in the past year. Thanks to technological supports, nowadays a patient has the opportunity to look his or her doctor in the eye, even at a distance, and alleviate the psychological distance that is usually created during a simple telephone conversation. In fields such as teletherapy, it is absolutely necessary for a patient to feel the human connection with a therapist or psychiatrist. We ensure for our virtual connections that we use GDPR-compliant formats and maintain high ethical and technological requirements.
Find the best interpreters with International Congresses
It can be easy to find an interpreter, almost as simple as ordering a pizza, but knowing what makes an interpreter competent and how a good interpreter agency works is a different story. Interpreters may have formal degrees in their respective field or certifications within the languages and specialties in which they work. For example, an interpreter with a 60-hour certificate in medical and health language has a demonstrable advantage in a hospital setting over a novice interpreter with no background.
At International Congresses we perform testing and additional training to ensure that our interpreters have the temperament, professionalism, and linguistic knowledge to best meet the specific needs of your case. With us you find not simply an interpreter, but a partner for your language service needs. Start your journey now, find the perfect interpreter for you.
Marketing Team Congressi Internazionali
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