Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI)

Over-the-phone interpreting, often simply called telephone interpreting, is a service that connects you to a professional interpreter via phone, enabling real-time communication between different languages.

Explore our guide: A Buyer’s Guide to Telephone Interpreting

Once your service is set up, you can request an interpreter whenever you need one.

You select the required language and are connected to an available linguist, typically within minutes. The interpreter then facilitates the conversation live over the phone, allowing all parties to communicate clearly in real time.

Over-the-phone interpreting is designed to provide fast and flexible language support. It enables you to access linguists quickly, including for less common languages, and removes the need for travel or scheduling delays.

It is particularly effective for urgent situations and high-volume environments.

The cost of over-the-phone interpreting depends on several factors, including the duration of the call, the language pair required, and the level of demand or usage.

Over-the-phone interpreting is generally one of the most cost-effective interpreting methods, as it removes travel and associated logistics.

In many cases, it is more affordable than in-person interpreting and can be comparable to or lower in cost than video interpreting, depending on the requirements.

Of course, some clients prefer to invest in other methods due to the visual engagement elements.

If you use VoIP platforms such as softphones, call centres or unified communications tools, interpreting can be accessed in much the same way as a regular call.

You simply connect to an interpreter through your existing setup, allowing them to join the conversation in real time.

To get started, we would typically ask for the languages required and how you plan to use the service.

For ongoing usage, we may also want to discuss expected volumes to set up a service that matches your operations.

On-site interpreting may be more suitable for complex, sensitive or high-context situations where physical presence supports communication, such as medical appointments and legal proceedings.

Video remote interpreting offers the same flexibility as telephone interpreting but includes a visual element. This can be beneficial when visual cues are important, such as for sign language or conversations where facial expressions and gestures support understanding.

No, telephone interpreting is not suitable for sign languages, as these require visual communication.

Over-the-phone interpreting is typically delivered using consecutive interpreting, where the interpreter relays messages between speakers in short segments.

Across our wider interpreting services, both consecutive and simultaneous options are available depending on the setting and requirements.

We support a wide range of languages, including commonly spoken and less widely used language pairs.

Explore our brochure.

Yes, over-the-phone interpreting is delivered in real time. The interpreter facilitates the conversation as it happens, allowing all participants to communicate clearly without delays.

All you need is access to a phone. This simplicity makes this method one of the most accessible and easy-to-use interpreting solutions available.

Not necessarily. Over-the-phone interpreting is designed to support urgent requirements, so you can access interpreters on demand.

That said, setting up the service in advance or providing notice of expected usage can help ensure a smoother experience, particularly for ongoing or high-volume work.

Getting started is straightforward. You can contact our team to discuss your requirements, whether you need support for a single conversation or ongoing use.

From there, we will guide you through setup, assign dedicated account and project management, and ensure you have access to over-the-phone interpreting whenever you need it.