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Phone translators play an incredibly important role in the world of translation. This is especially true as our world continues to shift toward remote work and requires people to communicate via phone and computer.

The Scope of Interpreter Services by Phone

Translation phone services are remote interpretation services that translation and interpretation companies extend to businesses and organizations. This allows organizations that utilize telephone interpreting services to expand their customer base. They’re no longer limited to clients or customers who are English speaking, as they can now communicate with people who speak almost any language.

A majority of translation phone services have the ability to translate over 200 languages. Some experts recommend that interpreter services by phone offer translation for all languages that U.S. residents speak.

What Industries Do Translation Phone Services Serve?

Limited English proficiency (LEP) clients are often found in the medical and legal industries. It’s mandated by the government that if a medical or healthcare facility receives government funding, they must provide language services to their LEP clients. Of those required services, telephone interpreting services are paramount.

Phone translators in these sectors are required to possess a number of skills. The ability to translate for medical and legal industries requires a level of understanding of those industries to ensure that no detail is lost in translation.

What Are the Primary Responsibilities of a Phone Translator?

When working in translation phone services, there are a number of responsibilities, including:

• Understanding ideas – A phone translator must be able to understand ideas and concepts that they hear the first time. They will need to immediately translate those ideas into the target language with the same intent and tone of the speaker.
• Providing cultural framework – A translator helps to build a mutual understanding between people who come from different cultures. As a phone translator, they can bridge cultural gaps.
• Maintaining patient confidentiality – Translators must uphold ethical standards and retain patient confidentiality in all situations.
• Keeping records – Interpreters and translators may need to keep a record of regular interpreting services so they can provide this information to clients upon request.
• Possessing specialization skills – Most phone translators are specialized in a specific field of study. This allows them to efficiently and effectively translate conversations that include industry-specific terminology. Translators who have specialized fields of study are better equipped to accurately translate conversations for a client.
• Engaging in customer service – Fundamentally, translation phone services incorporate customer service skills. Phone translators work directly with clients and must maintain a professional, customer-service-oriented demeanor.

In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities, individuals who provide interpreter services by phone must have sharpened communication and listening skills.

How Do Individuals Access Telephone Interpreting Services?

Translation phone services are generally accessible through all facets of telephone communication, including cell phones, apps, and landlines. Also, telephone interpreting services that are offered by medical facilities will have a line dedicated to these services.

First Steps in Pursuing a Career as a Phone Translator

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in translation phone services, a translation degree is a great place to start. In fact, ºÚÁÏÍø is the only institution in the nation that offers a translation degree at all three levels.

Ready to start on your career path in telephone interpreting services? Contact us today to learn more about obtaining your translation degree!