Telephone Interpreting Services

Telephone interpreting

Telephone interpreting in more than 350 languages

Not every conversation justifies an interpreter crossing town. A call to rearrange an appointment, a first conversation with a new client, a question at a reception desk that cannot wait: telephone interpreting puts a professional interpreter on the line with a single phone call. We take pride in being recognised as leaders in telephone interpreting, and we connect you with our professional telephone interpreters in no time.

Our telephone interpreting service gives you access to more than 350 languages, and it saves you the cost of interpreter travel time.

How telephone interpreting works

Pre-booked calls. Tell us the language, date, time and expected length. At the agreed time the interpreter calls you, or joins your conference call, and stays for the whole conversation. We can provide an interpreter with as little as two hours' notice.

Calls when you need them. For the conversation you did not see coming, call us and we connect you with an interpreter in no time.

Three-way calls. You, the interpreter and the other person can each be on a separate phone, or you and the other person can share a speakerphone in the same room while the interpreter joins by phone.

When telephone interpreting works best

• Short appointments and follow-ups
• Booking and reminder calls
• First contact and triage
• Reception desks and helplines
• Calls to people abroad
• Urgent questions out of hours

It is not the right choice for everything. Long or emotional conversations, anything the interpreter needs to see (an examination, a document, a person's distress), meetings with several speakers, and conversations with children usually go better with an interpreter in the room or on video. British Sign Language cannot be interpreted by telephone at all.

Getting the best from a telephone interpreter

Use a good line. A landline or a headset beats a mobile on speaker in a busy room.

Start with introductions. Say who is on the call and what it is about.

Speak in short sections and pause. The interpreter cannot see when you have finished a thought.

Talk to the other person. Say "When did the pain start?", not "Ask her when the pain started".

One voice at a time. On a speakerphone, two people talking at once means lost words.

Check at the end. Ask whether anything needs clarifying before you hang up.

Briefed, experienced interpreters

Our telephone interpreters are regularly briefed on our clients' requirements, which helps us give the best service to every customer, every time. They have expertise in many sectors, including the public sector, business, media and entertainment, legal, life sciences and manufacturing, and all of them have good knowledge of administrative hearings and healthcare claims.

They do not simply translate word for word; they make sure the meaning comes across loud and clear, and they go further to make every call efficient and dependable, so your voice on the phone is as strong as your written word.

Confidentiality and call recording

Our interpreters understand the importance of security and confidentiality. If you record calls, say so at the start, so the interpreter and the other person both know.

Languages

Telephone interpreters are available in more than 350 languages, including Polish, Romanian, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Portuguese, Lithuanian, Farsi and Mandarin.

Questions about telephone interpreting

How quickly can I get a telephone interpreter?

We connect you in no time, and a pre-booked call can be arranged with as little as two hours' notice.

Is telephone interpreting cheaper than face to face?

Usually, because there is no travel time or travel cost to pay for. For a long appointment, compare the quotes: a face-to-face interpreter can still be the better choice.

Can I use it for a legal or medical call?

Yes, for the right kind of conversation. Our telephone interpreters know administrative hearings and healthcare claims well. For hearings and examinations, see court interpreting and medical interpreting.