The post Why I Still Show Up to Assignments (And What That Means for You) appeared first on The SOS Agency.

The post The Power of Deaf and Hearing Interpreter Teaming: Enhancing Access Through Collaboration appeared first on The SOS Agency.

Why Is There an Interpreter Shortage?

The shortage of qualified interpreters is a nationwide issue. Several factors contribute to this challenge:

• Increased Demand: As accessibility awareness grows, more organizations recognize the importance of qualified interpreters, increasing the need for services.
• Limited Interpreter Pool: Becoming a skilled interpreter takes years of training and experience, and the number of certified professionals isn’t keeping pace with demand.
• High Specialization Needs: Some settings—such as medical, legal, and mental health—require interpreters with specialized knowledge, making last-minute coverage even more difficult.

How You Can Help

We are committed to serving our clients, even on short notice, but we encourage you to submit your interpreter requests as early as possible. This helps ensure:

• Interpreter Availability: The earlier you request, the better chance we have of securing the best interpreter for your needs.
• The Right Match: Advanced notice allows us to provide an interpreter with the appropriate skill set for your specific setting.
• Seamless Service: Avoid delays and last-minute stress by planning ahead whenever possible.

Our Commitment to You

Even with the growing demand, The SOS Agency remains dedicated to providing top-notch service. We continue to expand our network of highly skilled interpreters and prioritize urgent requests when life happens unexpectedly. Your communication needs matter to us, and we will always do our best to accommodate you.

 Need an interpreter? Submit your request today!

 Request online: thesosagency.com/request-services/

 Email us: [email protected]

Thank you for trusting The SOS Agency—we’re here to serve you!

The post The Interpreter Shortage Is Real! appeared first on The SOS Agency.

• Modifying existing facilities to make them accessible, such as installing ramps or widening doorways.
• Providing accessible parking spaces or signage.
• Purchasing equipment or services that improve accessibility, such as adaptive technology or specialized software for employees or customers.
• Hiring interpreters for communication with customers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• If your business has expenses up to $250,000, you can receive a maximum credit of $10,250.
• The credit is 25% of the first $10,000 of qualifying expenses, for a total of up to $2,500.
• For businesses with gross receipts of less than $250,000, the total amount of expenses eligible for the credit may be increased.

The post The Disabled Access Credit: A Valuable Resource for Businesses appeared first on The SOS Agency.

• Developed a Mentoring Program: We launched a structured mentoring program to connect a seasoned interpreter with newcomers to the field. This initiative fosters knowledge-sharing, builds confidence, and helps interpreters grow in their careers.
• Hosted “What’s Next After the ITP?” Workshop: Designed for interpreting training program (ITP) students and recent graduates, this free workshop offered insights into transitioning from the classroom to a professional interpreting career.

• CART Expansion: We broadened our Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services, providing accessibility for more clients in academic, corporate, and community settings.
• VRI On-Demand: We introduced on-demand Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), offering clients immediate access to interpreters for urgent and virtual needs.
• New Contracts: Securing local and federal contracts allowed us to extend our services to even more clients and settings, solidifying our reputation as a trusted partner in the industry.

• Hired new staff members
• Onboarded more interpreters

• Software Transitions: Switching to a new software system—twice—tested our adaptability and resilience.
• Interpreter Shortage: Balancing the rising demand for services amid a nationwide interpreter shortage required creativity and careful planning.

• Continuing to expand our on-demand VRI services and CART services.
• Building stronger partnerships with clients through tailored solutions and ongoing innovation.
• Hosting additional workshops and events to support interpreters and strengthen our community.
• Expanding our mentoring department.

The post 2024 Year in Review  appeared first on The SOS Agency.

The post Gratitude and Growth: A Thanksgiving Reflection from The SOS Agency appeared first on The SOS Agency.

• Brief the Interpreter: If possible, provide interpreters with background information and an overview of the content they’ll be interpreting. This could include topics, names, specialized vocabulary, or any unique cultural aspects relevant to the conversation.
• Provide Materials: Any agendas, presentations, or documents that will be discussed should be shared with the interpreter ahead of time. This preparation allows them to anticipate complex concepts and industry-specific terminology.

• Keep a Steady Pace: Speak at a moderate pace that the interpreter can keep up with. Pause slightly between sentences or ideas, especially if you’re covering complex topics.
• Avoid Over-Simplifying: It’s important to maintain the natural flow of your speech, as oversimplifying or changing your language can impact the interpreter’s accuracy.

• Maintain Direct Communication: When speaking, face and look directly at the person or audience you’re addressing. This encourages a more natural interaction between you and the audience.
• Speak in First Person: Using phrases like “I recommend…” rather than “Tell them I recommend…” is more effective and helps create an authentic, fluid exchange.

• Check for Understanding: Periodically pause to ensure that the interpreter and your audience are following along, especially during long discussions. This gives the interpreter a chance to ask for clarification if needed.
• Encourage Questions: If an interpreter needs to clarify something, it’s usually to ensure the highest accuracy. Allowing questions strengthens the quality of interpretation and promotes a smoother exchange.
• Respect Processing Time: Some interpretations require additional time for the interpreter to process and communicate your message. Brief pauses after key points.

• Allow for Pauses and Adjustments: Keep in mind that interpretation isn’t always instantaneous. Some languages or topics may require extra processing time to ensure the interpretation is clear and accurate.
• Adapt as Needed: If the interpreter suggests a change in pace or approach, work with them. They’re skilled in identifying what’s necessary to deliver your message effectively.

• Acknowledge Professional Boundaries: Interpreters are bound by a code of ethics that requires confidentiality, impartiality, and accuracy. Respecting their professional boundaries, including any confidentiality limitations, is essential for a trusted partnership.
• Value Their Input: Experienced interpreters can often provide insights into cultural considerations that might enhance communication. Being open to their guidance fosters a more successful interaction.

• Choose an Accessible Setup: Ensure that the interpreter has a clear line of sight to both you and the audience, especially in settings where ASL is used. Good lighting and minimal visual distractions also support effective communication.

• Summarize Key Points: Before ending, summarize main points to reinforce the message. This also gives the interpreter a chance to catch any last-minute clarifications or questions.
• Allow for Follow-Up: If additional questions arise after the meeting or session, let participants know if follow-up communication is an option. This can help ensure everyone fully understands the key takeaways.

The post Tips for Working with an Interpreter! appeared first on The SOS Agency.

• Adapting to Industry Changes: Our commitment to regular professional development ensures that our interpreters are always up-to-date, offering you the most accurate and relevant services.
• Increased Confidence and Expertise: Professional development empowers our interpreters to handle a wide variety of assignments with confidence. Whether it’s a complex legal case or a sensitive medical consultation, they bring enhanced expertise, ensuring smooth communication and peace of mind for you and your team.
• Versatile Service Across Multiple Fields: We serve clients across diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, and business. Our interpreters receive specialized training in these areas, so they can provide tailored services that meet your specific needs. This versatility is key to ensuring that no matter the context, you’re receiving top-tier service.
• Commitment to Excellence: Clients expect interpreters to not only be skilled but also efficient and knowledgeable about the latest industry trends. At The SOS Agency, we prioritize professional development so that every interpreter we send to you delivers services that exceed your expectations, ensuring client satisfaction.

.

The post The SOS Agency Difference: Elevating Standards through Professional Development appeared first on The SOS Agency.

The post The SOS Agency: Past, Present, and Future appeared first on The SOS Agency.

The Demands of Interpreting

Interpreting is an intense and demanding profession that requires a high level of concentration, mental agility, and linguistic proficiency. Interpreters must listen to the source language, process the information, and then accurately convey it in the target language in real time. This complex process leaves little room for error and demands continuous focus and cognitive effort.

What Is Interpreter Fatigue?

Interpreter fatigue is a state of mental and physical exhaustion that interpreters experience due to prolonged periods of intense concentration. Research shows that interpreter fatigue usually happens after 20-45 minutes of continuous interpreting. Interpreter fatigue leads to errors in the interpretation.

Repetitive Motion and Risk of Injury

Interpreters often perform repetitive motions, such as signing or speaking, for extended periods. This can lead to repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) affecting the hands, wrists, shoulders, and vocal cords. RSIs can cause chronic pain and long-term damage, severely impacting an interpreter’s ability to work. By rotating shifts between two interpreters, the risk of such injuries is significantly reduced, promoting a healthier and more sustainable working environment.

The Case for Two Interpreters

1. Ensuring Consistency: Fatigue impacts not just the interpreter’s ability to think clearly but also their consistency in conveying information. A fresh interpreter can maintain the consistency and coherence of the interpreted message, ensuring that nothing is lost or miscommunicated.
2. Support Role of the Second Interpreter: The support interpreter plays a crucial role beyond just resting. They offer logistical help, catch missed information, provide vocabulary assistance, and clarify misunderstood cues. This support ensures that the interpretation remains accurate and comprehensive.
3. Increases Interpreter Stamina: Mentally and physically, two interpreters can sustain high performance levels for longer periods. Alternating shifts reduces the strain on each interpreter, ensuring they remain sharp and effective.
4. Minimizes Omissions and Mistakes: With two interpreters, the likelihood of omissions and errors decreases significantly. The support interpreter can step in to correct or fill in gaps, ensuring that the interpreted message remains complete and accurate.
5. Accountability: Having two interpreters ensures a higher level of accountability in the interpretation process. Each interpreter can cross-check and verify the other’s work, leading to a more reliable and trustworthy interpretation.

When Are Two Interpreters Needed?

1. Assignments Over 1.5 Hours: As a general rule of thumb, any assignment lasting 1.5 hours or more, a team of two interpreters is necessary.
2. Continuous Talking in Shorter Assignments: Some assignments, even if shorter than 1.5 hours, that are continuous talking require a team of two interpreters. Examples include training, webinars, and staff meetings.
3. Specialized Jargon, Terminology, and Pace of the speaker: Shorter assignments that include specific jargon, highly specialized terminology, or fast paced, such as college classes, sometimes require two interpreters.
4. Exceptions: There are exceptions to the rule where longer assignments might not need two interpreters. These typically include scenarios with ample breaks and downtime, such as a football practice or on-the-job training where instructions are given initially, followed by periods of independent work and occasional questions. Furthermore, two interpreters are often not used in K-12 education or medical hospital shifts where the nature of the assignments allows for more natural breaks.

Teamwork in Other Professions

The concept of working in teams to avoid fatigue and ensure quality is not unique to interpreting. Here are some examples from other professions where teamwork is essential:

1. Pilots: In aviation, long-haul flights always have multiple pilots who take turns to ensure that each one is well-rested and alert. This practice is crucial for maintaining the safety and security of the flight.
2. Medical Professionals: Surgeons often work in teams, especially during long and complex surgeries. This ensures that the patient receives the best care possible, with each surgeon being able to perform at their peak without fatigue affecting their performance.
3. Emergency Responders: Firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency responders work in shifts to handle long and demanding situations. This rotation is essential to ensure they remain effective and responsive during critical moments.
4. Sports Teams: Athletes, especially in team sports, rely on substitutions and rotations to maintain peak performance levels. Continuous play without breaks would lead to decreased performance and higher risk of injury.

Conclusion

While it might seem cost-effective or simpler to request only one interpreter, booking two interpreters ensures the highest level of accuracy, consistency, and professionalism, safeguarding the quality of communication and the well-being of the interpreters. Just as other high-stakes professions rely on teamwork to avoid fatigue and maintain excellence, so too should interpreting assignments. Understanding and respecting these needs will lead to more successful and effective outcomes for all parties involved.

The post Why Do I Need to Book TWO Interpreters? I Only Requested One! appeared first on The SOS Agency.