What Type of Interpreting Services Should I Use?

ByDawn Flanigan

Explore the difference between phone interpreting, video interpreting and in-person interpreting to best serve your needs.

There are so many choices in how to provide interpreting services, it can be difficult to know which method is most appropriate. While we recommend asking the Consumer which service provision is most appropriate and effective for them; there are some general rules to use to determine when you should use video services, phone services or in person services.  

Here are some “rules of thumb”.Video Interpreting Services:

  • If the foreign language speaker is hard of hearing
  • While waiting for an in-person Interpreter in the medical or legal setting
  • When a substitute interpreter is needed in the educational setting
  • On a large screen when there are several consumers (Sign Language)
  • If no in person interpreter is available
  • At reception desks
  • In mobile settings

Phone interpreters:

  • While waiting for an in-person Interpreter
  • At reception desks
  • On conference calls
  • Through a dispatch center
  • For quick conversations at the bedside in hospitals
  • In mobile settings 

In person services highly recommended for:

  • End of life
  • Beginning of life
  • Surgery units
  • Intensive care situations
  • For children
  • For people with cognitive issues
  • Serious illness consultations
  • Serious Court/legal interactions 
  • Interrogations
  • Any situation in which life or liberty is at stake

When considering your language access plan or how to use interpreting services, it’s best to have different ways to provide services. A company like Global Interpreting Services who is able to provide all services under one roof is an easy choice. Contracting with companies who can provide services through technology and in person, even if it’s more than one, is recommended. 

Having a language access plan will assist your employees with understanding how you want services to be utilized and ensuring they contact the company or companies you are contracted with. Language Access Plans can be simple or complex. There is a sample Language Access Plan on our website you may want to review. We are able to assist you in developing a Language Access Plan specific to your facility. 

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