Best Practices for Working with a Remote Legal Interpreter
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, over 80% of interpreting assignments were performed onsite. The rest were conducted either over the phone (OPI) or via video remote. But that number flipped within weeks as industries scrambled to adapt to the “new normal.” While telemedicine made it easier for healthcare providers to make the switch, the legal […]
5 Ways Interpreting for Children Differs from Adults
Anyone who has spent time around children knows that approaching them vastly differs from how you approach adults. More often than not, they have yet to develop the maturity or the coping skills to handle specific, everyday scenarios, especially if strangers are involved. This is why interpreting for children should be handled differently from interpreting for adults. […]
6 Sign Language Families (And Where They’re Used)
You probably already know that most spoken languages belong to a language family. But did you know that many sign languages do as well? Although linguistic research into sign languages lags behind spoken languages, at least six language families have been identified along with numerous isolates. Here’s a look at all six families and where […]
9 Indigenous Languages of the U.S. Canada, Mexico & Guatemala
Although English, Spanish, and French dominate the linguistic landscape of North and Central America, indigenous languages still thrive throughout the region. Below is a look at the most commonly spoken ones in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala. United States and Canada Approximately 169 indigenous languages are spoken in the United States and 60 […]
What Is a Certified Deaf Interpreter?
From White House news briefings to the Super Bowl LV, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are enjoying the spotlight. Yet what you may not know is that deaf people who serve as ASL interpreters belong to their own category. Deaf interpreters such as Marla Berkowitz not only bridge the gap between ASL and English, but […]
Does American Sign Language Have Accents?
Sign language has a rich history in North America. Long before the arrival of Europeans, indigenous tribes developed sign languages to communicate with deaf members. American Sign Language (ASL), on the other hand, traces its roots back to 19th century France. And like any language, ASL has evolved to reflect the cultural and regional differences […]
How to Improve Your Accent for Better Remote Interpreting
Everyone has an accent. No matter where you’re from, you sound foreign to someone—even in your native language. However, as an interpreter, you need to ensure yours doesn’t interfere with your ability to communicate. While you don’t need to erase your accent, modifying it can definitely make your job easier. And that’s especially true when […]
Books for Interpreters
One of the greatest things about being an interpreter is that you are always learning something new. Interpreters learn deliberately by attending continuing education classes and conferences, by looking up relevant terminology, but also unintentionally, just by virtue of doing their jobs. Any interpreter worth their salt will spend hours if not days preparing for […]
The Science Behind Simultaneous Interpreting Services
Imagine listening to a fast-paced keynote in English while delivering the same message in German or Spanish at the very same moment. That is the daily challenge for simultaneous interpreters, the professionals who make global collaboration possible at the United Nations in New York or the European Parliament in Brussels. Simultaneous interpreting is considered the […]
Voice Care for Language Interpreters
Interpreters, along with professionals such as teachers, singers, and call center operators work with their voices which means that an interpreter’s voice is their most important instrument, and, like any other tool of the trade, should be maintained and protected. In this article, we’ll look at some ways of protecting our voice – from keeping […]
