Despite the end of the COVID pandemic, remote work is here to stay. Even as some employers are requiring workers to spend more time on site, economists note that top talent is demanding the flexibility to work from anywhere. As employers strive to unite global workforces as well as accommodate workers who have limited English proficiency or hearing disabilities, video remote interpreting (VRI) is becoming an essential tool. In this article, we’ll examine how VRI helps workplaces overcome language barriers and enhance real-time communication.
The Challenges of Remote Work
In 2020, businesses around the globe were forced to shift rapidly to remote work. While many expected workers to return to spending most or all of their work hours in the office as the public health threat faded, employees have been resisting that push. To attract and retain top talent, more employers are embracing remote work as the new normal in modern workplaces. While the ability to work from anywhere can have immense benefits for employees and employers alike, such as reducing absenteeism while supporting greater work/life balance, it also comes with challenges.
When we interact with people face to face, our communication extends far beyond mere words. Gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and various other cues convey a richness of meaning that is challenging to replicate in remote communication. However, it's important to note that Virtual Remote Interpretation (VRI) has the potential to bridge these communication gaps and eliminate barriers. By leveraging VRI technology, we can mitigate the limitations imposed by distance and experience a more seamless collaboration, thereby enhancing productivity. Even in the absence of face-to-face interaction, VRI holds the promise of overcoming language barriers and facilitating effective communication remotely.
Benefits of Video Remote Interpreting
Video remote interpreting (VRI) uses video conferencing software, a screen, webcam, and a high-speed internet connection to eliminate communication barriers with real-time audiovisual access to experienced interpreters. It also employs encryption to keep communications secure. With quick and easy accessibility, VRI empowers businesses to effectively communicate with remote employees, clients, consultants, and others who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speakers of other languages.
Nuanced Communication
Video remote interpreters use gestures, facial expressions, and body language to communicate more layers of meaning than words alone. This can be especially important for communicating across cultures, fostering enhanced communication, collaboration, and productivity. VRI also makes remote ASL interpretation possible, facilitating clear communication with deaf and hard of hearing individuals at different locations.
Quick, Cost-Effective Alternative to On-Site Services
Even when conversations happen on site, VRI provides a compromise between purchasing on-site or over-the-phone interpreting services to communicate with speakers of different languages. Video interpreting allows nuanced communication without the added cost for interpreters to travel to your location. Additionally, when interpreters are unavailable for on-site work, VRI can provide on-demand solutions for last-minute interpretation needs.
Obstacles to Effective Video Interpreting
For video remote interpreting to be effective, you need technology that’s compatible with your organization’s devices, a reliable high-speed internet connection, and interpreters who understand not just the language but also the culture of those you’re communicating with as well as the language of your business. For example, medical offices need interpreters who understand medical terminology and can reliably relate health information as described by patients, and legal professionals need interpreters who understand legal terminology. Additionally, you need to ensure the solution’s cybersecurity features are sufficient to protect your company’s data and comply with applicable privacy laws such as HIPAA.
Trusted language services providers work with experienced translation and interpretation professionals with a variety of backgrounds to serve a wide range of business clients. Before selecting a provider, be sure to consider
- Interpreter qualifications and training
- Provider reputation
- Device compatibility
- Encryption and privacy compliance
- Audio and video quality
- Cost effectiveness
- Guaranteed uptime
- Hours available
Language Network Video Remote Interpreting
Language Network is an award-winning provider of translation, interpretation, and localization services. Founded in 1991, we pride ourselves on enabling cross-cultural communication with reliable language solutions. Serving diverse industries like legal, government, healthcare, manufacturing, education, and insurance, our experienced language professionals adhere to strict confidentiality, ethics, and professional conduct guidelines. We provide video remote interpreting 24 hours a day, seven days a week and have interpreters available by appointment as well as on demand for emergency situations.
Remote work isn’t going away. To facilitate collaboration and effective communication with employees, clients, and consultants, to unite global workforces, and to operate competitively in a diverse world, modern businesses need reliable video remote interpreting services. At Language Network, we understand this growing need and are ready to help. Explore our video remote interpreting services today!