COVID-19- powering remote interpretation for business

By Ofer Tirosh

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on so many aspects of daily life, from how we shop to how we socialize. Perhaps one of the biggest ways that the COVID outbreak has changed how we operate is the way it has altered how many of us work. Anything that can be done remotely is now done remotely.

The new home-based working arrangements have brought with them a rapid increase in the use of video calling and video transcription services. From internal meetings to customer service provision, video is being used for all manner of business tasks instead of face-to-face communication in order to reduce the spread of the virus.

COVID-19  is Powering Video Remote Interpretation for Health and Business

A job that’s easy to deliver remotely is interpreting since it can be done through video or over the phone. Below we’ll look at what video interpretation is and how it’s become essential as the world works to contain COVID-19.

What is video interpretation and how does it work?

What do you mean by interpretation? First, let’s look at what video remote interpreting (often called VRI) actually is.

VRI is a way that connects people who speak different languages, without the need for a physically present interpreter. Since video chat has become such a widely used tool, it’s easy to simply have the interpreter join in on a video call or interpret from a video feed as two parties communicate. Because video call quality has become more reliable in recent years, thanks to faster internet speeds, interpreters can now often follow people very easily, without the glitches due to poor connections that previously plagued such communications.

The term VRI itself is used in a couple of different contexts. Firstly, it applies to have an interpreter present via video when someone does not speak the local language at all or has limited ability to speak the language.

Secondly, it’s used by sign language experts to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing. In this case, the interpreter, who may be at a call center or home-based, listens to the hearing person via a video link. They then sign to the hard of hearing person through video. As the hard of hearing person signs, the interpreter talks to the hearing person, thus enabling the two to converse.

VRI is a convenient way for all parties to communicate, without an interpreter having to be physically present. It’s therefore an excellent way to reduce the number of people who are in direct contact, limiting the spread of infection.

COVID-19 is influencing video remote interpretation

VRI has been an emerging trend over the past few years. It allows people to interpret from anywhere, making the cost of interpretation services lower in many cases.

Historically, interpretation has been a largely face-to-face service. People prefer the personal connection of having someone in the room who speaks their language. The lack of potential technological barriers when everyone is face-to-face can also make for smoother translations. In-person translation can help the interpreter pick up subtle, non-verbal cues more easily, too.

More recently, though, interpreting companies are seeing increased use of video interpreting services, as people look for ways to reduce direct contact. As long as interpreters and the other participants in the call are technologically equipped for providing VRI, that limits the technological barriers like lagging video.

Remote interpreting has meant increased safety for interpreters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical interpreters especially are often at the forefront of risk, often having to translate for both medical professionals who are constantly risking infection and possibly patients who have tested positive. VRI allows interpreters to keep doing what they do but in a safe environment.

COVID-19 influencing interpretation work in the future?

One of the common points of interest is whether the situation will keep many of us working remotely for good. As companies, workers, and agencies see the reduced overheads and the convenience of the situation, why go back?

However, while VRI may be keeping interpreters safer, it does have income implications. The interpreting industry will be forced to update its approach and systems to allow for more VRI as in-person interpretation gets canceled or postponed. And in light of the changes, a Vox article stated that healthcare interpreters saw a 40% decline in revenue from on-site interpretation.

People who need interpretation services might also be tempted to use machine translation, like Google Translate on their phones. However, machine translation can still only approximate language, leaving the need for human interpreters.

Another factor in healthcare is the rise of telehealth, where people can talk to doctors over video chat from the comfort of their living rooms. This may also drive a permanent need for VRI, as people realize the convenience of the video in multiple ways during the pandemic and then stick with them in the post-COVID world.

Another benefit that the pandemic may teach people is that you can access an interpreter through VRI much faster. You can also engage with people who speak a less commonly interpreted language more easily, as your pool of potential interpreters is so much wider.

How you can use video remote interpretation

Remote video interpreting is easy to set up. Many well-known interpretation agencies now offer the service. If you choose to work with an individual interpreter, make sure to check references and vet the person based on how experienced they are using VRI.

You should also make sure you are technologically equipped to handle video interpreters. Some of the technical requirements you should consider include:

Have a high-speed internet connection to ensure that the video is of good visual quality and does not have delays.
Firewalls should not get in the way of the video itself.
A monitor of at least 50 centimeters, viewed from no more than 1.5 meters away is a solid metric to follow.
The monitor should not be obstructed in any way and should have an adjustable position.
The camera should have a good resolution so that all video is clear.

Another good tip is to make sure to regularly test and record the VRI videos. Do this at least weekly. That ensures all equipment is working and maintained. Broken video equipment and connections can severely disrupt appointments and meetings.

The good news is that modern computing equipment from well-regarded brands like Apple is naturally set up for quality video calls. Once you get used to working with VRI, you might wonder how you ever lived without it.

About the author

Ofer Tirosh is the CEO of Tomedes, a translation company aimed at globalization through the strategic use of localization and language to allow for a more international presence.

For more information go to https://www.tomedes.com/

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