5 Tips to Improve Your Remote Interpreting Skills

There’s no denying that COVID-19 has changed the way we live and work. The real question is: will these changes last? Due to the pandemic, remote interpreting has become the norm in healthcare, business, and legal settings. And given the convenience and lower costs compared to in-person interpreting, this trend is likely to continue. That means now is the time to shift to remote interpreting, if you haven’t already.

Trends in Remote Interpreting

Before we dive into how to improve your skills, let’s take a look at a few key industry trends:

• Major interpreting providers are seeing the demand for remote medical interpreters rise as telehealth becomes more accessible.
• State court judges claim that virtual hearings are more efficient for certain types of cases, and expect more jurisdictions to conduct them. That means more opportunities for remote court interpreters.
• Nearly 60% of respondents surveyed by Slator believe remote simultaneous interpreting will become the norm for conferences.

As you can see, more and more people are turning to remote interpreting including those in fields that are slow to innovate (e.g. law).

How to Become a Better Remote Interpreter

Yet even if you’re a seasoned in-person interpreter, remote interpreting still poses some unique communication challenges. A few of these include:

• Difficulty forming a rapport between participants in a virtual setting.
• Uncertainty around being understood. People may repeat themselves, which can make a remote interpreting session take longer.
• Trouble with technology. Difficulty with audio, video, and internet connections can occur.
• Distractions during calls. You may hear people’s kids, pets, or other noises in the background, which can affect your ability to focus.

Fortunately, with some practice (and an excellent interpreting platform) you can overcome these challenges. Here are five tips to help you step up your remote interpreting game:

1. Practice speaking clearly to improve your communication.
2. Practice your intonation and tone to ensure you accurately convey information.
3. Take voice acting lessons to better express feelings.
4. Practice interpreting audio and video. Try:

• • Interpreting podcasts as you listen.
  • Interpreting videos from industries you work with.
  • Listening to a range of native and non-native speakers (males and females of various ages).
  • Speeding up videos and trying to formulate the main points.

5. Prepare your remote interpreting space. That means:

• • Using a USB headset.
  • Experimenting with browsers to see which works best.
  • Knowing your equipment.
  • Creating a quiet, distraction-free environment on your end.

Bonus: Use an interpreting platform, which offers several advantages over telecommunication apps such as Zoom and Skype. Some advantages of using Boostlingo include:

• Enhanced privacy and security features.
• HIPAA compliant for telehealth interpreting.
• EU GDPR compliant for interpreting internationally.
• Fully reportable—call details are immediately exportable and reportable.
• Access to backend data support, which Zoom and Skype won’t provide.

The Benefits of Interpreting Platforms

Thanks to innovations in technology, remote interpreting is easier than ever. Interpretation platforms help you manage your schedule, accept on-demand requests, and track your earnings. And as new features such as video conferencing are added, platforms are getting better at meeting clients’ needs—which means for opportunities for interpreters.

Want to find out if Boostlingo’s platform is right for you? Contact us today to learn more!