On-demand remote video for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective interpretation services
In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, the need for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective interpretation and language services has never been greater. Whether for business meetings, healthcare consultations, legal proceedings, or customer service, the ability to communicate seamlessly across language barriers is vital. Traditional face-to-face interpreting has long been the go-to solution, but recent advancements in technology have given rise to on-demand video interpretation services, offering a host of ecological, economic, and practical benefits.
While face-to-face interpreters still play a crucial role in specific sensitive situations, on-demand video interpreting is rapidly becoming the preferred option for many organisations due to its convenience, cost-effectiveness, and environmental advantages.
The limitations of face-to-face interpreting
Face-to-face interpreters can be hard to find, particularly for less commonly spoken languages. In many areas, certain language pairs may only have a handful of interpreters, making it difficult to find one when you need them. Interpreters for niche or rare languages might not be available in specific regions resulting in delaying critical communications and increasing the cost.
Travel expenses and logistical challenges for face-to-face interpreters
Face-to-face interpreting often involves travel, which adds a layer of complexity and cost to the process. Interpreters may need to travel long distances to meet clients, resulting in travel expenses, hotel accommodations, and additional time spent in transit. These logistical issues can increase the overall cost and delay the start of important meetings or consultations. Traffic delays, weather conditions, or last-minute cancellations can also disrupt face-to-face interpretation services. Travelling by car, plane, or train for interpretation services contributes to carbon emissions, impacting the environment. While this may seem like a small issue on an individual scale, when multiplied across hundreds or thousands of appointments, the collective environmental impact can be considerable.
The rise of on-demand video interpreting services
On-demand video interpreting services have emerged as a game-changer for businesses, healthcare providers, government agencies, and others in need of timely and reliable language support. At Silent Sounds, we offer a comprehensive service over face-to-face interpreting, making them an increasingly popular choice for various applications.
Instant connection via mobile or desktop devices for on-demand video interpreting
On-demand video interpreting allows users to connect with an interpreter at the touch of a button, whether on a mobile device or desktop computer. This instant connectivity enables language support for meetings, calls, and consultations without the need for travel or waiting for an interpreter to arrive. This immediacy is particularly useful in time-sensitive situations.
Unlike face-to-face interpreting, which may be limited by location, on-demand video interpreting offers access to interpreters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 200 languages. This includes British Sign Language (BSL), making it a versatile solution for diverse communication needs. The ability to access a wide range of languages anytime, anywhere, is a significant advantage over traditional methods.
What are the benefits of on-demand video interpreting?
On-demand video interpreting offers the same advantages as other interpretation methods, providing solutions effective communication to those who need it. However, without incurred travel expenses, accommodation costs, and no logistical challenges, the service is far more accessible and affordable. The service is priced per session or subscription, making it far more affordable than face-to-face interpretation. You only pay for the time you need, resulting in significant cost savings for businesses and organisations requiring reliable interpreting and translations services.
Which sectors use on-demand video interpreting services?
Individuals and businesses throughout the world use on-demand video interpreting services. Key sectors embracing this on-demand video interpreting technology are: Healthcare, Government, legal, education and housing.
Global service with a local touch
On-demand video interpreting services bridge the gap between global and local needs. Whether you are conducting a meeting with an international client or assisting a local community member, on-demand video interpreting can provide the same level of support, no matter where you are located. This global reach, combined with localised accessibility, makes it a perfect solution for businesses operating in diverse markets.
A turnkey solution for reliability and convenience
Our on-demand video interpreting services is designed for ease of use. The technology is user-friendly, allowing individuals to initiate a session in seconds without complicated setup processes. This reliability and convenience make on-demand video interpreting a go-to solution for businesses and institutions looking for language support.
Our inhouse team of language and deaf services specialists worked as part of the R&D Silent Sounds team, ensuring that the user experience (UX) was second-to-none providing a stable platform. Aside from our client App, we also offer tablet devices with antimicrobial coatings which can be accompanied by a hight adjustable trolley with wheels for accessibility. This system proves favourable for staff members wishing to keep translation and interpreting services a separate system from confidential client files.
There’ll always be a place for face-to-face interpreting
Despite the numerous advantages of on-demand video interpreting, there are certain situations where face-to-face interpreting remains the preferred option, especially when dealing with sensitive or complex matters such as healthcare screenings and critical medical consultations
In healthcare settings, especially during medical screenings, diagnoses, or emergency care situations, face-to-face interpreting can be essential. The need for trust, understanding, and the ability to read non-verbal cues in sensitive medical conversations often necessitates physical presence. In these cases, the nuance and body language that an in-person interpreter can offer may be indispensable. Also, ensuring that one of our qualified interpreters is deployed as opposed to a family member to interpret, (which can negatively impact patients by distorting or filtering information, especially regarding prognosis, leading to potential harm) offers peace of mind and equity.
In legal or governmental settings, where confidentiality and accuracy are paramount, in-person interpreters might be preferred for high-stakes interviews or court hearings. The interpreter’s presence can provide a sense of security and ensure that all parties are on the same page, especially in emotionally charged or sensitive situations.
Sometimes, the context of a conversation, especially involving culturally nuanced information, requires more than just words. Face-to-face interpreters are often better equipped to understand and convey these subtleties. Additionally, certain emotional or non-verbal communication may be lost or misunderstood in a video setting.
While on-demand video interpreting services provide unparalleled convenience, cost savings, and environmental benefits, face-to-face interpretating still holds value in particular contexts where nuance, trust, and physical presence are necessary. By offering quick, reliable, and scalable solutions to overcome the challenges of limited availability, travel costs, and logistical issues, on-demand video interpreting is proving to be a flexible and efficient tool in the modern translation landscape.
Ultimately, the future of interpreting at Silent Sounds is likely to combine both technologies, enabling our esteemed clients to select the best solution for each unique situation. Whether in need of instant language support for a business call, a customer service interaction, or a healthcare consultation, our on-demand video interpreting platform available in over 200 languages including BSL, is revolutionising the way we communicate crossing language barriers.
Are you looking to partner with a trusted interpreting and translations services provider who are passionate about breaking language barriers for each and every person to feel heard and understood?
Contact our friendly team today! info@silent-sounds.co.uk