What Are Interpretation Services?
Interpretation services have become an essential bridge between languages, industries, and cultures. Whether you're working in healthcare, legal settings, government institutions, or international business, interpretation ensures clarity, compliance, and connection.
Interpretation vs. Translation: What's the Difference?
Interpretation and translation are often used interchangeably, but they serve very different functions.
Interpretation deals with the spoken word in real time, converting one language to another orally or through sign language. It requires fast thinking, cultural sensitivity, and deep fluency in both source and target languages.
Translation, on the other hand, involves the written word and is typically done with more time for research, editing, and proofreading. Both are crucial for multilingual communication, but interpretation is indispensable when immediate verbal communication is needed.
Why Interpretation Services Are Essential?
From emergency rooms to international courtrooms, interpretation enables understanding in high-stakes environments. Key reasons organisations use interpreting services include:
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Accurate real-time communication with non-English speakers
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Legal and regulatory compliance in multilingual contexts
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Improved client experience and satisfaction
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Support for limited English proficiency (LEP) individuals
Interpretation also helps bridge cultural gaps, reducing misunderstandings and increasing inclusion across communities.
Key Industries That Rely on Interpretation Services
Interpretation is not limited to one industry - it plays a vital role across multiple sectors, including:
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Healthcare: For patient-provider communication, informed consent, mental health services, and emergencies
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Legal & Court Systems: Ensuring due process and legal rights through court interpreters and legal interpreting
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Government & Public Sector: Supporting access to public services and civic participation for LEP populations
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Education: Assisting families and students in parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, and academic support
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Insurance & Financial Services: For claim support, policy explanations, and multilingual customer service
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Manufacturing & Engineering: Supporting multilingual safety training and technical collaboration
Each industry has unique needs for multilingual interpreting services, which influences the type of interpretation used.
What Are the Main Types of Interpretation Services?
There are several key types of interpretation, each suitable for different scenarios. We cover them briefly here, and more in-depth in our Types of Interpretation Services blog.
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Simultaneous Interpretation – Real-time interpreting often used in conferences or broadcasts
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Consecutive Interpretation – Speaker pauses while interpreter relays the message, used in interviews or depositions
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Over-the-Phone Interpretation (OPI) – Remote interpreting via phone, perfect for quick or emergency use
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Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) – Visual, real-time interpreting over video, ideal for sign language or healthcare
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On-Site Interpretation – Interpreter physically present for live conversations or events
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Sign Language Interpretation – Includes ASL and other sign languages for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals
Some other formats include whispered interpreting, relay interpretation, escort interpreting, and community interpreting.
When Should You Use Interpretation Services?
Use interpretation when:
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Real-time communication is required with limited-English speakers
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Participants have disabilities requiring sign language support
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Cultural and linguistic accuracy is critical to outcomes (e.g. medical or legal settings)
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Regulatory standards require language access services (e.g. Title VI in the U.S.)
Scenarios include:
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Emergency medical response
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Business negotiations
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Immigration interviews
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Public hearings
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Legal depositions
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Parent-teacher conferences
In-Person vs. Remote Interpretation: Which Should You Choose?
In-Person Interpretation is ideal for complex or sensitive conversations (e.g. medical procedures, courtroom trials) where body language and trust are key.
Remote Interpretation (via phone or video) offers faster access and is more cost-effective. It’s best for:
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Quick access to rare languages
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Emergency or after-hours needs
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Multisite coverage
Over-the-Phone (OPI) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) can often be deployed within seconds, enabling accessibility at scale.
What Makes a Good Interpretation Provider?
Not all interpretation services are created equal. When choosing a provider, look for:
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Qualified linguists: Native-level fluency, industry expertise, and professional training
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Security & compliance: HIPAA, GDPR, and other industry-specific standards
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Range of services: Including OPI, VRI, and in-person coverage
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Technology integration: Support for platforms like Zoom, Teams, and telehealth systems
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Customer support & availability: 24/7 access and rapid response times
Ad Astra’s Interpreting Services
We deliver interpretation solutions that are:
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Available in 300+ languages and dialects
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Designed for healthcare, legal, education, government, insurance, and manufacturing sectors
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Supported by qualified interpreters with sector-specific experience
Our interpreting platform, Ad Astra Connect, also allows clients to:
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Book, manage, and monitor all interpretation types in one place
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Receive real-time alerts and appointment statuses
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Have access to +16,000 Ad Astra's trained & qualified interpreters
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Use customized reports, billing, and API options - built just for your organization
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Save time, reduce confusion, and boost transparency across your team
Whether you need real-time video support for a patient, or scheduled legal interpretation, we’ve got you covered.
Final Thoughts
Interpretation services are more than just language support - they're vital tools for access, inclusion, and safety. From courtrooms to classrooms, from hospitals to public agencies, they help bridge the communication gap between people, systems, and cultures.
Understanding what interpreting services are, and when to use them - empowers organisations to provide equitable, effective services in any language.
Need interpretation services that are secure, scalable, and sector-specific?
Contact Ad Astra to explore tailored solutions for your organisation today!
