Interpreting Services

Do you need an interpreter?

Interpreters provide verbal communication between two parties who do not share a common language. Global Arena has the experience and resources to provide face-to-face and telephonic interpreting services in more than 300 languages.

When performing consecutive interpretation services, an interpreter waits for the speaker to finish a sentence or an idea, and then interprets the speaker’s words into the target language. The process is then completed in reverse for the target language speaker’s response to be conveyed in the original language. Consecutive interpreters are often required in doctors’ appointments, healthcare facilities, depositions, arbitrations, court hearings, Independent Medical Exams (IME), and small business meetings.

Simultaneous interpreters provide an oral conversion of a speaker’s words into the target language at the same rate of speech as the speaker and at the same time, with only a few seconds of lag time. Simultaneous interpretation is highly specialized, and is preferred for conferences and meetings in which a great deal of information has to be conveyed to a larger audience. Due to the tremendous level of concentration required to perform this type of work, simultaneous interpreters usually work in pairs, taking turns to interpret in 15-20 minute blocks. Usually, the interpreters work in a sound-proof booth, allowing them to focus without external distraction. The use of audio equipment also means that there is no limit to the number of people who can participate. Global Arena provides simultaneous interpreting services equipment and experienced technicians, responsible for set-up and strike of the equipment, ensuring the smooth running of a conference.

For short discussions, in emergency medical situations, and/or when no advanced warning can be given, telephonic interpreting services offer immediate access to an interpreter at any time day or night. Clients are issued with a unique access code and provided with a toll free number. Available in over 200 languages, callers can use this service 24/7 and be connected with an interpreter within seconds.

Go to Telephonic Interpreting page

Video remote interpreting (VRI) is a video telecommunication service that uses devices such as web cameras or videophones to provide sign language or spoken language interpreting services.

Global Arena provides VRI services currently in 40 languages.

As with telephonic interpretation, the service can be useful for short discussions and in emergency situations. This service is provided by a remote or offsite interpreter, in order to communicate with persons with whom there is a communication barrier.

Go to Video Remote Interpretation page

Global Arena offers online language proficiency tests for 9 languages. The language proficiency tests are useful for recruitment, job placement, training, and an overall evaluation of language proficiency.

Go to Language Proficiency page

Scenarios to Enlist an Interpreter

Global Arena provides consecutive interpretation services for many industries, focusing on the healthcare, legal, educational, and business sectors.

Medical – Interpreters are provided in a range of medical settings for medical appointments, long-term physical therapy sessions, mental health and substance abuse treatments and Independent Medical Exams.

Legal – Legal interpreters are often required at depositions, arbitrations, trials, client meetings, and court hearings. Global Arena can provide court-certified interpreters for states that have a Court Interpreting Certification program in place for that language.

Educational – Interpreters can be provided to assist at parent-teacher conferences, individualized educational program meetings, special educational needs assessments, social trips, and school-wide events.

Business – Global Arena provides interpreters for business meetings, conferences, seminars, presentations and longer business trips.

Want to learn more? Here’s our elearning course on how to work with interpreters effectively. Otherwise, Contact us today! 

How to Schedule an Interpreter

There are several ways to get in touch:

 

Global Arena uses an online scheduling tool to manage all interpreting assignments. Customers can log in to the portal and request, change or void interpreting assignments.

All calls are received outside of office hours are handled by our 24/7 call center and emergency requests are forwarded to an on-call project manager.

Our Cancellation Policy

If an interpreter is no longer required, our standard cancellation policy will apply. If notice is given with more than 24 hours (one business day), no cancellation fees will apply. If cancellation is given with less than 24 hours’ notice (less than one business day notice), cancellation fees may apply. 

 


Interpreter Selection and Quality Control

Global Arena has access to over 15,000 qualified/certified interpreters in over 300 languages.

Interpreters must demonstrate at least two years of interpreting experience and be fluent/native in English and at least one other language. They must demonstrate attentiveness, analytical skills, memorization, language transfers and note-taking skills. They are also expected to conduct themselves professionally, demonstrating cultural awareness, sensitivity and the ability to cope under stress. It is preferred that our interpreters have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent 4 year of college degree. Also, an active membership in an organization such as the American Translators Association, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters or the National Board of Certification for Medical interpreters, which demonstrates their commitment to the interpreting community and their dedication to continued education.

Global Arena accepts certifications performed by recognized institutions or companies, including various state interpreting certifications and the Bridging the Gap medical interpreter program. When official language tests are not available (particularly for languages less commonly spoken in the United States) we accept high school or college diplomas from an interpreter’s native country. References are requested and checked. Successful applicants are required to successfully complete Global Arena’s interpreting orientation.

Global Arena selects an interpreter for an assignment based on his/her expertise, certifications and/or accreditations. The rigorous selection process in combination with the requirement to hold interpreting-related certifications help to ensure that Global Arena provides the most qualified interpreters.

Interpreters must hold current background clearances to work at certain healthcare and medical institutions. This list currently includes the following clearances, but it can be adjusted to meet a client’s individual regulatory requirements. Among others, and depending on your needs, we request that our interpreters have:

  • Child abuse clearance
  • State criminal clearance
  • FBI clearance
  • Negative PPD (Tuberculosis)

If a mandatory field is not applicable to your request, please enter N/A.