Interpreters Unlimited: A BBB Accredited Business

Interpreters Unlimited is pleased to announce that we are now an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau! Founded in 1970, IU has been providing professional interpretation and translation services nationwide for over 130+ languages. As a BBB Accredited Business, you can trust that IU values customer satisfaction and will strive to deliver superior language translation and interpreting services. For more information about IU and the services that we provide, contact us today at 800.726.9891.

Do you YouTube?

Have you ever heard about a new video on the internet that just went viral, and then felt an immediate need to grab your laptop or cell phone, open YouTube, and stream the video to see what all the fuss is about? Now, of those viral videos, how many of them were in languages other than English?

According to YouTube, 70% of their site visitors live outside the United States. As a result, YouTube has taken a new step towards addressing their global audience- offering both an automated caption translation service AND an innovative translation tool that will allow users to provide translations for their own videos or invite others to translate for them.

While this new platform has the potential to bridge the communication gap between speakers of different languages, there will always be an inevitable degree of error when untrained individuals are providing translations. YouTube’s new feature seems like a great concept and solution for its existing needs, but when it comes to official documents or materials, it’s important to select a professional translation company with the experience and training that you can depend on for accurate language translation. 

Drumroll, please...

After several months of anticipation, we are pleased to announce that we finally unveiled our new website!

If you need interpreter services or language translation, be sure to fill out a request via our new interpretation and translation quote forms. The revamped website will feature not only blogs but videos, infographics, and other items about Interpreters Unlimited and the language service industry. Take a look around and stay tuned for more IU news and updates!

The Olympics – A Cultural Melting Pot

The Olympics. Whether you’re a devoted soccer fan, an occasional NBA watcher, or an all-around anti-sports individual, there’s no avoiding the Olympics.  Millions of people worldwide tuned in to cheer on their countries’ representatives, hoping to see their flag raised and their national anthem played for winning the gold medal. With participants and spectators from all across the globe, the Olympics set the stage as an event where translation and interpreter services would be highly critical.

Being a contestant in the Olympics must be exhilarating experience (I can only speculate however, as I am one of those people who was perpetually picked last in gym class), but competing in a country where you do not understand the language can create more than just an inconvenience without the language service industry. Signs to be translated, announcements to be interpreted, and conversations to facilitate are only a few of the vital tasks assigned to language professionals at the Olympic Games.

Although the language industry is one that often goes unrecognized, it is clear that interpreting and translation companies play a pivotal role in global events like the Olympics by allowing visitors to feel welcome and understood in a foreign locale. 

Did you watch President Obama’s speech at Virginia Beach?

On July 13th President Obama spoke at Virginia Beach, and Interpreters Unlimited is pleased to announce that we were the language service provider selected to deliver interpreter services for the event.

Since the founding of Interpreters Unlimited in 1970, our list of clientele has been growing constantly. Needless to say, interpreting for the president of the United States is certainly an exciting milestone in IU’s history. For more news and updates on Interpreters Unlimited and the interpretation and translation services that we provide, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

And the correct answer is…

Imagine this- you’re 12 years old. It’s Friday morning and you’re taking a test in Chinese class that you have been dreading all week. You’re on the last question, and you've narrowed down the answer to two choices. Both answers seem correct. Upon further inspection you realize that both answers ARE correct. You begin to think that it must be a trick question; there can’t be two correct answers to a multiple choice question, right? You might be surprised…

A number of articles have been published about foreign language exams in New York schools containing errors due to sub-par translation service. From having multiple correct answers to absurd or ambiguous questions and passages, the number of erroneous translations throughout the state has been increasing.

When converting important documents like school exams, it is imperative to select a reliable translation company. Taking exams is never a pleasant experience (for most people, anyway). Students should only have to worry about getting the answer right- not about the possibility of the question being wrong.

Medical Interpreters – Improving Patient Care

If you’re like me, going to the hospital is often considered a nerve-racking experience. Waiting for a diagnosis or undergoing treatment- whether for yourself or someone else- is always stressful. For many individuals with limited English proficiency, this stress can only be elevated by the language barrier. Fortunately, interpretation and translation companies can solve this problem.

The role of interpreters in hospitals is a natural fit, especially given the complex nature of medical communications. In a recent study conducted by the University of Massachusetts, patients who were assisted by medically certified interpreters during their admission and discharge had significantly shorter hospital stays than those who did not utilize an interpreter. The results of this study clearly illustrate the necessity of professional interpretation and translation service in the field of medicine. Patients need the ability to accurately communicate and comprehend all matters regarding their treatment or condition, not only for peace of mind but for their overall health and well-being.

Looking for a Home Based, B2B Franchise?

It’s almost here! IU will be exhibiting at the International Franchise Expo at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center this weekend from June 15-17. You can find us at Booth 161 where we will be providing information about Interpreters Unlimited franchise opportunities. This B2B, home based franchise features low cash investment and a performance guarantee.

The language service industry is on the rise - don’t miss your chance to become a part of this growing market. Contact us today to find out how you can get started in the interpretation and translation service industry!

How to Select a Translation Company?

If you’re looking for a translation company, you probably have some understanding of the necessity and complexity of reputable translation service. However, with so many options out there, how do you know if you have found the right company for your translation needs?

There are a few factors to take into consideration. Most importantly, the translation business that you select should only utilize highly skilled translators. Do a little research and find out how they assess or certify their language professionals. For legal or medical translations, the language experts performing the document conversion should a thorough understanding the subject matter, its terminology and other complexities related to the respective industry.

Ease of use is another aspect to consider when researching translation providers. How do you submit the document? What file formats do you accept? What is the expected turnaround time for the translation? These are all questions to have in mind while doing your research.

Another element to consider is the reputation of the company itself. Select an organization that has a proven track record in the language service industry to ensure that you can trust the quality of work that they will provide. 

The Translation Business and Joey Tribbiani

When I need a translation of a word or short phrase, like most people, I’ll grab my laptop and use an online translation service or a search engine. However, when it comes to official documents or written content that is comprised of more than just a simple word or phrase, translation companies are the only way to go. Experienced translators know how to ensure that content, syntax, and meaning are properly conveyed into the target language, a concept that online translation tools have yet to perfect. An example that I like to use is a particular scene from the TV show, Friends. While writing a letter, Joey discovers the thesaurus feature on his computer...which yields some interesting results.

By using inaccurate synonyms throughout his letter, the phrase "warm, nice people with big hearts" becomes "humid, pre-possessing homo sapiens with full-sized aortic pumps.” While this is an obviously comical exaggeration, it illustrates the point that translations require more than an automated word-for-word conversion- especially when specific terms have nuanced meanings. A translation company will ensure that all written documents are accurately translated by maintaining overall intent and meaning, as well as syntax and tone.

Back to Basics: The Difference Between Interpretation and Translation

Today’s topic might seem like common knowledge to people who are familiar with the language service industry, but if you are one of those individuals who believes that these two words mean the same thing, you’re not alone. Lately I have come across a number of articles online that use the terms interpretation and translation interchangeably.

In a nutshell, an interpretation refers to the conversion of one spoken language into another. (For a sign language interpreter, it is the conversion of a spoken language into Sign Language or vice versa.) A translation refers to converting written material from one language into another. Consequently, interpretation services and language translation require contrasting skill sets, making interpreters and translators distinctly different.

Expanding Your Organization’s Global Presence

Did you know that over 70% of the world’s global internet population does not speak English? In spite of this fact, the majority of web pages on the internet today are exclusively in English. To address this growing discrepancy, many companies are creating language specific versions of their websites to cater to non-English speaking audiences. Twitter is currently available in 28 languages, having recently released versions in Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, and Urdu. Wikipedia is adding more African language versions to their website offerings. Are you missing this significant opportunity to expand your target audience? Consider utilizing a translation service to create alternate language versions of your website!

There is a huge international economy out there, and the right translation company can help your organization expand its global presence. Be sure to select a reputable language service provider that you can trust to create an accurate translation of your website content.

International Franchise Expo: Stop by our booth!

Interpreters Unlimited™ will be exhibiting at the International Franchise Expo in New York City from June 15-17. Be sure to stop by Booth #161 and say hello! We will be providing information about Interpreters Unlimited™ and the franchise opportunities that we offer.

Are you looking to start a business? Consider an IU home based franchise! Interpreters Unlimited™ franchises feature a low cash investment, flexible schedule, and a performance guarantee. We also provide training and ongoing support to ensure your success. IU is offering only a limited number of franchises (based on location), so don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this opportunity. Contact Interpreters Unlimited™ today to find out how you can get started in the translation and interpreter business.

Dual-Language Immersion – Multilingualism in the Classroom

Did you know that there are a growing number of schools that currently offer dual-language immersion programs? This multilingual trend is growing in popularity, particularly throughout the state of California. In these programs, students are taught lessons in a combination of two (or more) languages.

The ability to speak more than one language boasts a clear set of advantages in today’s global economy. While the advancement of multilingual education programs is a step in the right direction, the majority of people are only capable of speaking one language. There is a huge global economy out there, and language can either bridge cultures or keep them apart. One way to solve this situation is to utilize interpreter and translating services. These services break down the barriers that language differences can create.

There are many language service providers offering language translation and interpreting services. At a glance they might seem alike, but in reality, not all language service providers are created equal. One of the most telling characteristics about a language service organization is the number of languages that they offer. If you are seeking services for a language that is rare, your options may slim down dramatically.

Interpreters Unlimited™ currently provides expert language interpretation and professional written translation services in over 130 languages. If you can speak it, we can translate it. Contact us today for more information. We believe that life takes communication, and Interpreters Unlimited™ can make that conversation a whole lot easier…

The Value of Professionalism in the Interpreter Business

When it comes to interpreting services, skill and accuracy are absolute requirements. Another important element is professionalism. In a courthouse in Worcester, England the judge adjourned a trial FOUR times because the scheduled interpreter did not show up. The Polish defendant, whose understanding of English was minimal, even received an apology for the inconvenience that the situation had caused. This instance is a perfect example of how important reliability is when it comes to choosing interpreter services, especially in the legal arena.

If you are dealing with legal matters, the last thing you want to be worrying about is if your interpreter will show up for your appointment. So how do you decide which agency is right for you? There are many factors to consider in selecting an interpreter business for the law industry. Be sure to do your research before making a decision. Choose an agency that is trustworthy, has a strong reputation in the language service field, and works with credentialed legal interpreters so you can have full confidence that your language service needs will be met successfully…and on time.

Coming Soon: A Smartphone Sign Language Interpreter?

Scientists in Scotland are currently working on groundbreaking software that would allow smartphones to act as mobile sign language interpreters. The app would enable sign language recognition by utilizing the camera feature on mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. After signing into the camera, the captured video would then be translated to text in real time.

The Portable Sign Language Translator, or PSLT, has the potential to offer remarkable benefits in everyday language translation. While the app could facilitate many aspects of daily life for signers, it can never replace the technical skill and accuracy of traditional in-person interpreting services. A smartphone application, no matter how advanced, will always be just that- an app. Vulnerable to the same glitches and malfunctions as your beloved Angry Birds application. When it comes to formal conversations and official situations that need exact translation, I’ll choose an experienced interpreter over a smartphone app any day.

Home Based Franchise

Interpreters Unlimited is excited to launch our new home based franchise website, http://interpretersunlimited.com/franchise/. We have already received excellent feedback on the information it includes as well as the franchise opportunity itself.

Offering interpreter services and translation services for the last 40+ years has truly made IU one of the most active players in the industry. We started with offering these language translation services in just five core languages and have expanded into over 150 languages. IU provides in-person interpretation services, document translation services, telephone interpreting services and most recently video relay interpreting services well over 130 languages.

With this experience comes extensive knowledge of the language translation business and interpreter business making it a smooth transition to begin offering a home base franchise opportunity. Those showing interested in this home based franchise praise the low initial costs, the training IU includes, and the ongoing support our staff and management provide.

Learning Language Translation from the Web

Have you heard of Linguee or Duolingo? These are sites that allow you to learn languages while also helping to translate web pages. The concept is great and these sites are attracting tens of thousands of users. But the question lies as always; how is the accuracy of the language translation? A language translation professional part of proz.com argues that these sites and others cannot product the quality of language translation that a professional translation company can or a person trained to provide interpreter services. These tools and others like them are fascinating however as they confirm the high demand for interpretation and translation services. Although they focus on the language translation need in the Internet world, the need for accurate and reliable interpreting services is vast - reaching just about every industry out there.

Visit these sites. See how they work and maybe you will learn a foreign language in the process as they claim you are able to do. Just note that it does not take the place of a professional language interpreter, but I think you already knew that.

French Classes not for Everyone

Did you know that in British Columbia Canada French-speaking parents are guaranteed to send their children to French schools with language translation classes, however, those parents who speak only English or a language other than French or English do not have that same privilege. In fact, they have to participate in public-school lotteries or camp outside schools with hopes of winning spots so their kids can attend schools with language translation classes.

There are parent groups like the Canadian Parents for French that are trying hard to change this. It does show, however, that as much as we promote the ability of children to learn multiple languages relatively easy at a young age, we do not ensure that all children have the opportunity to do so.

As the World is becoming flat, no one can argue the benefit of knowing another language. It would behoove many college age students to consider working in the language interpreting services or translating services. The language interpretation and translation services industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. If you are interested to learn more about the language industry and work from home opportunities, check this link out. http://interpretersunlimited.com/franchise/.

Google Translation Service

So my kid is working on Spanish homework and prepping for an oral exam. The students were provided the questions but had to come up with the answers…in Spanish of course. This meant some perfect language translation otherwise you can count on a poor grade. My kid thought it smart to take aid of Google Translate. I can admit that it is a great quick translation service reference. But it was certainly proven that it is not the best language translation service. My kid read out to me the paragraph that Google Translate came up with upon entering in the ‘answer’ to one of the questions the teacher proposed.

Being at a somewhat intermediate level Spanish speaker, I was able to identify incorrect Spanish terms and grammar that the Google Translate spit out. Google Translate translated ‘big family’ to ‘famiilares’ and party to ‘partido’ not ‘fiesta.’ There were some other odd translations included, but overall it wasn’t too bad. It’s just not the best tool to use when the language translation needs to be accurate and reliable. Do not rely on online language translation services for translation or interpreting services you need that is critical. I actually contemplated not correcting the paragraph my kid read since I felt this was the easy way out to go to an online translation service instead of picking up the Spanish/English dictionary and Spanish text book sitting only feet away. But, I could not heart my kid speaking Spanish to the teacher using the crazy vocabulary that came up. Contact Interpreters Unlimited today for interpreting services or document translation service that are indeed reliable and accurate.

Interpreting Services Needed in Monaco?

No, I don’t believe they need any interpreting services in Monaco, just trying to have a reason to get there. In a couple of months, Monaco will be hosting GALA’s Language of Business conference. It will be held in the beautiful city of Monte Carlo.

If you are interested in the Translation Services or Interpreter Services industry, this looks the place to be and did I mention it is in Monte Carlo. There are a ton of hot topics on slate including SEO, social media and machine translation as it applies to interpreter services and language translation.

It’s about a three day conference that will allow you to also network with others knee deep in the language translation and interpreter services. Just Google GALA 2012 and you’ll learn all the details including an outline of the prospective speakers who themselves are from translation service agencies or provide interpreter services.

Language Translation using Google’s ‘Babel fish’

Even being an advocate for in-person (human) language translation services, it is still fascinating to learn about the advancement of translation services using tools like Google’s Babel fish. There was an interview conducted recently with one of Google’s Translate research scientist that offered some insight in the progress of this tool.

The scientist provided the following information regarding this translation service tool.

• It currently supports 63 languages which is quite a lot. The content for this comes from users inputting translation terms into the Internet.
• There are some challenges which include some of the very tough languages. It’s difficult for this tool to provide language translation for languages that are very different from English. This is because English is used as an intermediate language. Simply put, the tool does not translate Russian to Japanese. It translates Russian to English and then to Japanese.
• Another challenge is that this tool is dependent on its source data. When wanting to add a new language to their list of languages translation services, they have to first verify that there is sufficient data of the language on the Web.
• The scientist does concede that in the future that 80% of languages will be covered by these machine translations, but the other 20% will not be a substitute for a human language interpreter or translator.
  

The scientist was asked about what type of team he has formed to help develop this language translating service tool. He candidly stated that it was Wikipedia, statistics, and his grandmother that helped influence his decision on launching a set of Indian languages. The scientist is originally from India.

Language Translation at a All Time High

According to a PR firm in Canada, the need for language translators and language interpreters is at an all time high. Many international companies are in need of not only document translation and localization but also in-person interpretation. Some turn to recruitment agencies that have a slew of language interpreters and translators ready for short notice assignments. They can provide part time and/or full time language specialists. These agencies claim they their language translation services and interpreter services are of a high quality because they have a very stringent vetting process.

This is a claim that should be tested, quite frankly, tested with whatever type of translation service company you choose. These recruitment agencies are not focused on the actual language industry but instead are focused on filling a personnel need. This may work for some quick needs even like Google translate works for a quick language translation. However, if accuracy is important for your interpreting service need, then contact an actual language services company, like Interpreters Unlimited. IU has been providing translation services and in-person/phone interpreting services including American Sign Language for over 40 years. IU understands the nuances of this industry including matching dialect and cultural competency. Contact IU today and learn more about the quality of our language interpreter services and how they will meet your timeframe, budget, and expectations.