Guide to Government Translation and Interpreter Services in 2025

Government Translation and Interpreter Services

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It’s a busy day at a local government office. A mother walks in, worried and seeking help, but doesn’t speak English. In moments like these, quick and reliable access to an interpreter isn’t just helpful—it’s indispensable. It makes the difference between confusion and clarity, frustration and trust.  

Whether on-demand interpreting for conversations, translation of legal documents, or AI-powered tools to support multilingual events, today’s solutions make connecting with the people you serve easier than ever. This guide will walk you through the basics of language access and procurement, helping your agency provide effective. 

Language Services for Government

When we talk about government services, we’re looking at everything from federal disaster relief to your local parks department. These services touch every part of public life—whether you’re getting a driver’s license, applying for housing assistance, or seeking emergency help from FEMA.   

While government agencies often work alongside healthcare providers, schools, and courts, language access needs are unique. A city housing authority might partner with medical professionals on senior living programs but needs interpreters who understand housing applications and tenant rights. A county clerk processing a business permit needs language support that is different from what you’d find in a courtroom or hospital. 

Language Access

Language access is about ensuring everyone gets the information, services, and opportunities they need, no matter what language they speak or how they communicate. For individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) or those who are Deaf or Hard of hearing (DHoh), it means understanding their preferred language or mode of communication. 

In the U.S., language access isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the law for many public services. Federal and state regulations require publicly funded services to provide interpreting and translation services to overcome language barriers. For example, Executive Order 13166 directs government agencies to create meaningful access for LEP individuals. 

Interpretation Services

Interpretation converts spoken or signed communication from one language to another, ensuring meaningful access to court hearings, community and healthcare services, and many other encounters.    

Bob Arnold, Director of Sales at Boostlingo, who works with government agencies to provide language services, shared that “on-demand interpreting is the number one service used by the government as a whole.” Government use of on-demand has grown, driven by legal mandates for language access and the benefits of technology.   

On-Demand Interpreting

On-demand interpreting is one of the most widely used services by government agencies. It provides fast access to qualified interpreters when and where they’re needed most. 

Do you need an interpreter ASAP? On-demand services offer audio and video interpreting options, accessible via phone, app, web platform, or integrations with existing agency systems. They’re incredibly useful in fast-paced environments like emergency response situations or serving the public when on-site resources are limited. 

On-demand interpreting’s flexibility means agencies can connect with interpreters for various languages and situations. It’s also more cost-effective than on-site interpreting. Want to learn more? Download our free buyer’s guide on on-demand interpreting services. 

 

Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI)

RSI is for events like town halls, board of education meetings, community events, public meetings, or webinars. Interpreters work remotely to provide simultaneous interpreting, allowing participants to follow along in their preferred language. This setup eliminates the need for on-site interpreters, saving time and money while making events more accessible.  

Interpretation Management

Managing interpretation services can be challenging and manual for programs. Interpretation management systems can schedule interpreters, manage billing, and monitor usage—all in one place. These tools also simplify reporting requirements and ensure resources are used efficiently.  

On-Site Interpretation

Nothing beats having someone there with you. On-site interpretation means an interpreter is physically present to help with communication. This is especially important for sensitive or high-stakes settings like legal proceedings, medical consultations, or community outreach events 

Translation Services

Translation services play an important role in government communications. Accuracy matters when translating public health materials, legal documents, or community outreach notices. A small error can cause confusion or unintended consequences, so work with professional translators to avoid these mistakes.    

AI in Language Services

Artificial Intelligence has made significant strides and can be a valuable tool for government agencies. Hosting a big public meeting or international event? AI tools can caption speeches in real time and provide live subtitles in multiple languages.

AI Tools to Try in 2025

Here are a few AI tools for language support that I recommend checking out in 2025: 

AI Live Translation for Meetings

Boostlingo AI Pro provides live translation for meetings and low-stakes conversations, delivering fast and reliable language support when needed. 

AI Captioning and Translation for Events

Boostlingo Events offers real-time captioning and translation, as well as simultaneous interpreting, making events more accessible to multilingual audiences.  

Live AI Translation for Multilingual Events

 

Where AI Shines

Accessibility

AI excels at generating real-time captions and translations in low-stakes scenarios. It’s a low-cost solution to add extra language support and is available 24/7.

Event Support

For large-scale events, AI-driven features make captioning, translations, and additional languages more affordable. They enhance the event experience.   

Human Oversight

AI isn’t perfect. For sensitive situations—like legal hearings or healthcare conversations—human interpreters ensure cultural and contextual nuances aren’t. Make sure that AI tools meet data security and accessibility standards, even language access requirements, to remain compliant.  

How to Buy Language Services

Planning for language services is essential for government operations, especially during budget season. Choosing the right procurement strategy can help agencies save money, simplify processes, and connect with trusted vendors. Here are two ways to get started:

Public Procurement

Public procurement helps government agencies access tools like on-demand interpreting, RSI, and translation services. Procurement programs allow agencies to pool resources and secure better pricing, organize processes, and connect with reliable vendors.  

Boostlingo partners with GovMVMT, a non-profit Government Purchasing Cooperative, to make language services technology more accessible at preferred rates. Think of GovMVMT as a way to access affordable, trusted solutions without unnecessary complications.  

Learn more about our agreement with GovMVMT here. We also have an on-demand webinar introducing public procurement for language services available here. 

Boostlingo

Boostlingo offers a full suite of language service solutions designed to meet the needs of government agencies. Whether you need on-demand interpreting, RSI, or translation services, Boostlingo provides flexible options to match your goals and budget. 

Are you interested in getting a preferred rate through our Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with GovMVMT? Visit our GovMVMT page to learn more about affordable procurement and pricing. 

Ready to explore your options? Schedule a demo today to get a personalized quote and see how Boostlingo can help your agency connect with the communities you serve.

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