Two of the most critical parts of any translation project are accuracy and confidentiality. You want your content communicated the right way and you want it protected in the process. For medical translations, the confidentiality part takes on extra significance since it may contain sensitive patient records protected by federal…
Generally, most people don’t know the difference between “translation” and “interpreting.” To them the words are interchangeable and mean the same thing: converting words from one language to another. But to those within the language services
industry, there is an important distinction between the two terms, and if you’re thinking about communicating your message into foreign languages, you should know the difference too.
Here’s a quick review of how interpreting differs from translation and some of the terminology you’ll hear associated with each function.
Medical jargon is complex and confusing enough that many patients often leave their doctor’s office wondering, “What did she just say?”
Imagine the added anxiety if the patient doesn’t speak English.
Census figures show that the number of people who speak a language other than English in the United States has reached an all-time high of about 62 million—that means one in five U.S. residents now speaks a foreign language at home.
These changing demographics have placed an additional burden on hospitals, clinics, 
doctor’s offices, mental health agencies and related public health organizations. As the number of non-English speakers seeking health care in the United States has grown, so has the need for medical interpreters and translators. State and federal laws as well as new industry standards are also driving up the demand for more health care language support services.
The role of interpreter has changed much over the years. Gone are the days when an interpreter just had to know how to verbally translate words from one language into another. In addition to language skills, professional interpreters undergo extensive training to refine their skills, and they must adhere to mandatory requirements that vary by client, such as background checks, drug tests and even immunization for those within the healthcare industry. Additionally, interpreters must follow a strict code of ethics and are expected to be well-versed—if not experts—in the specific fields for which they are working.
In the language services field, translators and interpreters play similar but different roles. Translators deal primarily with the written word while interpreters work with the spoken
word. Both are integral to bringing people of different languages and cultures together, but more recently the interpreting function has gained increasing traction. The trend is one you should pay attention to.
To compete in the global marketplace, a growing number of businesses and organizations are adding “multilingual communication” to their strategic business plans. That’s the first step to Going Global. But picking the right translation and interpreting provider can be tricky. Today’s rich mix of professional agencies, independent freelancers and technology 
devices can make the selection process as overwhelming as it is confusing. So to help you chose the right translation provider, here are a couple of questions to ask yourself:
Am I Getting High Quality Translators & Interpreters?
To make sure your message is communicated correctly, look for a reliable, full-service agency with experienced translators and interpreters—they should be professionally trained, have knowledge of your particular industry or subject matter, and be native speakers of your target language. For very specialized subjects in areas like science, medicine and law, it is crucial to use translators and interpreters who know the field as well as they know the language. Use machine translations only for quick, informal messaging. While technology can play a role in the initial development of a translation project, only human translators can ensure the kind of quality and accuracy you want in a first-class finished product.
The United States’ proud identity as the “land of opportunity” has been a clarion call for immigrants since our country’s founding.
While playing a large role in building the nation from “sea to shining sea,” immigrants also helped weave diverse customs into the cultural fabric of America—from food to fashion, from religion to politics, from music to literature, and more. But the most distinguishing trait people brought from their far-flung corners of the globe is…language.
As more businesses and organizations engage in multilingual communications with their customers, it’s important to understand the terminology you will undoubtedly hear when working with your translation service provider. Knowing the exact meaning of the industry jargon will ensure greater success in planning and implementing your foreign language outreach efforts. Here are just a few basics you should know as you get started.
INTERPRETER: This is a professional who transforms VERBAL communication from one
language to another. Interpretation can either be “simultaneous” (in real-time, as it is being spoken) or “consecutive” (after each sentence or group of ideas, the speaker pauses while an interpreter repeats that entire section in the other language). ASIST interpreters can easily handle either format. We routinely provide on-site interpretation for business and trade meetings, conferences, medical facilities, legal proceedings, etc., as well as 24-hour telephone or remote video interpreting services.
Much has changed in the insurance business since 1752 when Benjamin Franklin helped launch the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, the first property insurance company in America.
One of the changes from those early colonial days is the number of languages spoken by insurance customers. Today our country is more of a “melting pot” than ever, so successful insurance providers, carriers and agents must cater to clients of many different nationalities, languages, cultures and financial needs. Even Franklin must have appreciated the important role of translation in the insurance industry — afterall, he taught himself to speak five different languages.
Do you know the law when it comes to providing translators and interpreters for your business?
Unfortunately, many individuals, businesses, governments and non-profit agencies are unaware of the state and federal regulations dictating just when and where such language support services are required—for both hard of hearing customers as well as those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
And that can lead to big problems.
Take, for example, the Florida judicial system, which last year faced a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. The complaint alleged Florida courts violated the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to provide free, qualified interpretation services in court related functions. For any programs that receive federal financial assistance, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin. The complaint claimed that Florida courts were not properly providing interpreters for people with LEP, and that such negligence was a form of national origin discrimination.