Tuesday, March 27, 2012

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…

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

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.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

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.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

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.