Remote interpreting is an essential service in the age of the coronavirus outbreak. Without it, patients would be unable to relay their symptoms to their healthcare provider and certain language groups wouldn’t receive updates on the virus. Yet the job is extremely difficult for those on the frontlines of the fight against the global pandemic. Here are three reasons why remote interpreting has become so difficult nowadays:
1. Remote interpreting and stress
It almost goes without saying that interpreting is a very stressful profession. Interpreters are under constant pressure to accurately translate a person’s words in a swift and timely manner. Even remote interpreting services conducted at the United Nations require interpreters to work in shifts in order to ensure that no one gets burnt out. Given the fact that coronavirus can make accurate communication a matter between life and death, the job of interpreters has become even more high-stakes. As a result, many interpreters report feeling drained by their work, especially ASL interpreters who have been stretched thin due to an interpreter shortage. Nevertheless, many interpreters still find work in the remote interpreting services industry to be very rewarding.
2. Remote interpreting and the limits of distance
Many interpreters rely on face-to-face interaction to properly do their jobs. Because of the new reality of the pandemic, interpreters can’t rely on visual cues that help to determine the meaning or feeling behind a person’s words. This has caused many interpreters to dismiss remote interpreting as impersonal and distant. However, video remote interpreting has helped to alleviate this problem. By simulating a face-to-face conversation, video remote interpreting services help interpreters and the people they serve feel comfortable despite the fact that they are not in the same room.
3. The problem of masks and ventilators
Although masks and ventilators are critical to preventing and treating the coronavirus, they have presented obstacles to video and telephone interpreting. Patients on ventilators obviously cannot communicate effectively on the phone in order to communicate with their interpreter and, in turn, their doctor or healthcare professional. This is especially true for members of the ASL community. Because sign language relies heavily on facial expressions in order to differentiate between certain words, ventilators make it impossible for ASL patients to properly communicate. As a result, many interpreters in the phone interpreter services industry have had a difficult time interpreting in the age of coronavirus.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
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