(Last Updated On: May 28, 2018)

Over-the-phone interpretation is a great pro – an active approach to help people that speak different languages communicate. It is no longer considered to be an alternative to in-person interpretation, rather than a discipline in itself.

Just like any other approach, one is able to identify the related pros and cons of over-the-phone interpretation. The number of components for each of the categories is highly relevant to the individual experience. Anyways, thanks to a number of interviews conducted amidst professional interpreters (over the phone or in person ones) and also based on customer feedback, we have been able to provide a realistic report in regards to the pros and cons of over the phone interpretation.

Over-the-phone interpretation

Pros

• It is cost efficient
• It is time efficient
• It allows time for the interpreters to develop their linguistic knowledge
• It does not require traveling to the destination location
• It is highly favorable to multi language conversations
• It can be precisely measured
• It does not allow the interpreter to get emotionally or thoughtfully involved in the discussion.
• It can be handled any time of the day or night during all days of the week
• It does not need a signed agreement, most of the time you prepay for the service.

Cons

• It does not provide visual contact
• It does not allow human to human body language communication

Considering the above mentioned cons and pros we can derive to few conclusions on the applications of over-the-phone interpretation. This solution is highly feasible during business, legal or health related conversations. During these conversations there is no important emotional exchange, thus body language is not considered as an important element. Whilst, in more complex situations, most probably an in – person interpretation would be highly favorable.

If you want to provide interpretation by phone to your clients and need an all-in-one phone interpretation platform get in touch.