A-Z Services - 24 hour Telephone Interpreting, 24/7 all language interpreting

Telephone Interpreting

24 Hour Telephone Interpreting

What is it?

Originally used mostly by medical GPs and hospital consultants, telephone interpreting is now a fundamental service for many public and private sector professionals. 2- or 3-way conference calls can normally be set up in less than a minute.

How does it work?

If you are a first-time user, call us on 020 7240 6666 to create an account – this only takes a few minutes and we have no set up charges or subscription fees. Then:

· We will give you a freephone number to use, which you can call and state your name, the name of your organisation and your password or PIN.

· State the language you require. If you are not sure of the language you need, we will be able to help you find out. If your client is with you, you could try using our Language ID card.

· Give the phone numbers of any additional lines you need to be conferenced with. For example, if you are calling your client at their home or office, you will need to give us this number.

· Please talk to us about any special requests. For example, your client may prefer a male or female interpreter.

· You will be put on hold for approximately 60 seconds while we connect you to your interpreter - do not hang up.

· You will then be conferenced with any additional lines you have asked for.

· When you have finished your call, simply hang up your phone.

· Before you end the conversation, make sure that both your client and the interpreter know that the session is about to finish. Please see our guidelines for using an interpreter (below).

· All services supplied by us are subject to our Terms & Conditions of Business.

· Please note that telephone interpreting conference calls may be monitored for quality purposes. We do NOT record any calls.

Guidelines for using an interpreter: tips and advice

•	Remember that you, not the interpreter, are the ‘chairperson’ who controls the three-way conversation.
•	Make sure you know exactly which language and dialect your client speaks. You should try to avoid making assumptions based on where your client is from.
•	If your client is with you, our language ID card may be useful. Together with English, this list of 30 languages accounts for approximately 90% of the world’s population.
•	Remember to allow at least twice as much time as you would for an ‘English-only’ conversation.
•	If possible, brief the interpreter before you speak to your client.
•	Speak directly to your client. For example, ask your client, “When did you arrive?”, rather than ask the interpreter, “Can you find out when he arrived?”
•	When speaking to your client, do not give too much information at one time.
•	Before you end the conversation, make sure that both your client and the interpreter know that the session is about to finish.

What other services are available?

We can also provide written translations of your own customised text in the target languages. In addition, we can design customised posters and postcards, which can be used to promote the service to non-English speaking members of the public.