As businesses and organizations grow to serve an increasingly diverse clientele, language barriers can be a considerable obstacle to effective communication. There are approximately 26 million US residents with Limited English Proficiency and even more LEP visitors in the US for tourism, business, or academic purposes. 

Whether you’re a multinational corporation, a tour guide in a bustling tourist city, or a legal professional navigating complex courtroom proceedings, effective communication is paramount. However, you don’t always have an interpreter on site when you need one. 

A powerful solution for these challenges is remote Over the Phone Interpreting (OPI) using two-way communication devices. This provides quick access to a professional interpreter over the phone, facilitating effective communication regardless of the languages spoken. 

In this blog, we explore how combining remote OPI services with two-way communication devices is breaking down language barriers and transforming the way businesses and organizations connect in a globalized world.

Understanding Remote Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI)

What is OPI?

Remote Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI) allows for real-time interpretation of spoken language over the phone. You and the LEP individual connect with a remote interpreter over the phone who then facilitates communication between the speakers by translating the conversation.

Scenarios Where OPI Shines

OPI opens doors to cross-cultural interactions, enabling businesses and organizations to reach wider audiences and serve diverse customer bases. OPI is an effective communication solution for many industries and scenarios such as:

• Legal Services
• Financial Services
• Travel and Tourism
• Education and Training
• Healthcare and Medical Fields
• International Conferences and Meetings

But what if you need to interpret for several people or for a larger group of people? That’s where two-way communication systems come in, taking this resource to the next level. 

Two-Way Communication Devices: A Game-Changer in Interpreting Services

Two-way communication systems are designed to facilitate clear and efficient communication in a variety of situations and environments. Businesses and organizations are empowered to communicate effectively in multilingual environments in just a few easy steps: 

1. The speaker wears a transceiver on a lanyard around their neck and uses a wireless headset with a microphone for hands-free communication. 
2. Clients/guests wear a transceiver around their necks accompanied by a headset. 
3. The remote interpreter calls in over the phone which is connected to a transceiver. 

At this point, all parties are connected and can communicate with each other. With a push of a button, they can speak into the unit’s microphone when they have questions or comments. The interpreter translates between the two languages, and the message is clearly heard by everyone in the primary group or through a sub-group by enabling “interpreter mode.” 

Key Features and Capabilities

Our two-way communication devices are user-friendly, hand-free, portable, and have secure connections. They can be used for groups of all sizes in any business, as well as for professionals in education, tourism, legal services, and more.

The portability and clear-hearing of the audio system means interpretation can take place on-the-go and in various settings from the conference room, to an outside tour, a quiet museum, and even a bustling factory floor. Everyone will be able to hear each other and the interpreter no matter the sound environment.

Example Applications for OPI and Two-Way Communication Systems

Legal Settings
In legal settings, such as courtrooms, precise communication is paramount. OPI and two-way communication headsets enable attorneys, judges, and LEP clients to communicate effective and ensure that everyone understands the proceedings. 

Employee Training
Companies can hire and train employees from diverse linguistic backgrounds without the need to hire additional trainers. Two-way communication devices, combined with OPI, allows trainers and trainees to communicate effortlessly, leading to more efficient and inclusive training programs.

Multinational Tours
Tour guides will be able to cater to groups of non-English speaking tourists. With a tour audio system and OPI services, guides can provide informative and engaging tours that transcend language barriers, creating memorable experiences for all tourists.

Benefits for Businesses and Organizations

• Minimizes communication errors
• Improves efficiency of operations
• Increased flexibility for tours and trainings
• Helps reach and keep multicultural consumers
• Enhances brand reputation in the local community
• Improves the satisfaction of customers, employees, clients, and/or guests

By combining OPI services and two-way communication devices, you can eliminate language barriers, ensuring that everyone can understand and be understood, regardless of their native language or the sound environment.

We are happy to answer any questions you have about two-way communication systems and how to use them with OPI services. Reach out to talk with an industry expert and request a free 30-day demo.