OPI - Translation - The more you know - Over the phone interpreting - Food for thought
Over-the-phone interpretation (OPI) is a mode of interpretation that employs a three-way call to bridge a language gap between these parties. An interpreter acts as a facilitator, permitting effective communication between speakers of different languages, who may be physically present in the exact establishment or remotely located.
Many institutions and offices that often receive multilingual phone calls lean on the services of over-the-phone interpreters to ease their communication needs.
Telephonic interpreting or Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI), is a crucial element of the language services industry in today’s diverse and fast-paced culture. Whether it be for speaking with patients, company partners, or customers, the availability of skilled interpreters over the phone allows businesses and organizations to connect and communicate with non-English speaking and multicultural populations easily. This can significantly enhance their ability to reach and connect with a broader audience.
Keeping citizens engaged, informed, and staying compliant with federal requirements for language access requires that local and state governments employ OPI services. In this piece we’ll explore how and why they do. Dive int! 
Why Use OPI?
Due to an overall lack of language proficiency and cultural sensitivity among institutions in the United States, many need to catch up on a significant amount of potential business.
As the nation’s linguistic diversity grows, telephonic interpreting is becoming increasingly essential. Proficient telephone interpretation services are:
- A straightforward solution.
- Provide easy entry to language support for non-English speaking patients.
- Facilitate business communication.
- Enable exceptional customer service for diverse populations.
Need For OPI In Local and State Government
Immigrants often travel to developed countries to pursue a better quality of life, greater freedom, and improved financial security, among other reasons.
As the number of immigrants continues to rise, the need for effective communication across linguistic and cultural barriers becomes increasingly urgent. For instance, a family from Venezuela relocates to the United States.
Although they have successfully settled into their new home, found employment, and are acclimating to the culture, there still is a pressure to have fluency in English to properly access different types of services. Making a doctor’s appointment at the local state clinic and understanding the results of a lab tests, might require a fluent grasp of English.
This is where telephone interpreting comes in, ensuring that this family fully comprehends the results of their testing. Such scenarios occur daily across the Nation, and with today’s technology, we can communicate seamlessly, even when parties are located in different parts of the world. 
Benefits of OPI Services For Local & State Governments
Over the phone interpretation services offer many benefits and their growing utilization proves that the advantages outweigh any potential drawbacks.
It can be the most cost-effective mode of interpretation when an immediate, short-term conversation is needed or when one is located in a remote area or needs to communicate with someone who speaks a rare language.
In such cases, onsite interpretation may be cost-prohibitive or impractical. Telephone interpretation is incredibly convenient and allows for real-time communication with people across the country and globe, regardless of time zones.
This is a significant factor in its popularity, and it also provides flexibility for interpreters, who can set their own hours and work at different times.
Emergency situations that happen at 3 am or arrests on a weekend can be handled with a telephonic interpretation service. It is also ideal for small conversations or simple questions, such as confirming an appointment or gathering insurance information, saving time and effort.
Furthermore, it allows for interpretation in remote locations as long as a telephone is available. 
Over-the-phone interpreting (OPI) can benefit local and state governments in a number of ways:
- Improved Communication: OPI allows government officials and employees to communicate effectively with non-English speaking residents, regardless of their language. This improves access to government services and programs and ensures that all residents have equal access to information and resources.
- Cost Savings: Over the Phone Interpretation services can be more cost-effective than on-site interpretation, particularly in remote or rural locations where there may be a shortage of skilled interpreters. Additionally, OPI eliminates the need for government officials and employees to tour various places to meet with residents who speak other languages.
- Increased Efficiency: OPI enables government officials and employees to finish tasks and make conclusions quickly and efficiently, as they can communicate with non-English speaking residents in real-time. This can improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.
- Better Compliance: Over the Phone Interpretation services can help government agencies comply with federal and state laws that require language access for limited English proficient (LEP) individuals.
- Improved Community Relations: OPI can help government employees to create more substantial relationships with non-English speaking communities by enhancing communication and understanding. This can lead to greater trust and cooperation between the government and these communities.
- Greater Access to Services: OPI can help ensure that non-English speaking individuals can access government services and programs such as healthcare, education, and emergency services, regardless of their language proficiency.
- Improved Safety: OPI can be used in emergencies and crises to ensure non-English speaking residents can understand and follow safety instructions, which can help prevent injuries and save lives.
- Greater Cultural Sensitivity: OPI allows government officials and employees to communicate with non-English speaking residents in a way that is sensitive to their cultural background and needs. This can help build greater understanding and respect between the government and non-English-speaking communities.
- Increased Access to Information: OPI allows administration officials to transfer critical details, such as emergency alerts, public health messages, and legal notices, in their native language, which can improve overall awareness and preparedness in the community.
- Improved Emergency Response: OPI can assist state administrators and workers in expressing effectively with non-English speaking citizens during emergencies, improving response times and saving lives.
- Greater Access to Legal Resources: OPI can help non-English speaking residents access legal resources and communicate effectively with legal representatives, such as attorneys, which can help ensure that they receive fair and just treatment in the legal system.
Conclusion
Over-the-phone interpreting services provide many benefits for businesses, organizations, and customers. For local and state government they minimize wait times and communication errors, allow quick responses in an emergency or urgent situations, improve patient satisfaction for citizens, and enhance the efficiency of operations.
Additionally, they provide access to multicultural consumers, are available in hundreds of languages and dialects, and are less costly than on-site interpreters.
Most importantly, it keeps communities connected – ensuring the Nation’s diverse citizenship have ready access to services and state information. Find out how our OPI solutions can support your local and state governments!
Utilizing these professional and experienced interpreters and state-of-the-art call routing technology ensures that the highest quality interpreting services are provided.
Overall, OPI services are valuable for local and state governments, organizations, and residents to communicate with non-English speaking individuals effectively.
