Interpreting Modalities
On-site, Telephone and Video Interpreting
Interpreting
services can be delivered in multiple
modalities. The most common modality through which interpreting services are
provided is on-site interpreting. On-site interpreting Also
called "in-person interpreting," this delivery method requires the
interpreter to be physically present in order for the interpretation to take
place. In on-site interpreting settings, all of the parties who wish to speak
to one another are usually located in the same place. This is by far the most
common modality used for most public and social service settings. Telephone
interpreting Also referred to as "over-the-phone
interpreting," "telephonic interpreting," and
"tele-interpreting," telephones interpreting enables the interpreter
to deliver interpretation via telephone. The interpreter is added to a
conference call. Telephone interpreting may be used in place of on-site
interpreting in some cases, especially when no on-site interpreter is readily
available at the location where services are needed. However, telephone
interpreting is more commonly used for situations in which all parties who wish
to communicate are already speaking to one another via telephone (e.g.
applications for insurance or credit cards that are taken over the phone,
inquiries from consumers to businesses that take place via telephone, etc.)
