“What are the different types of interpreting services available?
“What factors determine the interpreting quote I receive?”
“Do you offer your interpreting services outside of the UK?”
“Do I need to source the equipment needed for an interpreting job?”
“What happens if I need to cancel a booking?”
“What should I look for from an interpreting service provider?”
“How can I pay?”
What are the different types of interpreting services available?
• Simultaneous – when the interpreter live-translates the target language at the same time as it is being produced.
• Consecutive – when the speaker leaves gaps at the end of sentences or conceptual breaks so the interpreter has time to summarise what has been said.
• Chuchotage (a.k.a whispered interpreting) – involves the interpreter sitting next to the client and performing simultaneous interpretation in hushed tones.
• Telephone Interpreting – when the interpreter works remotely over the telephone and/or live video connection.
• Relay Interpreting – a system used when some of the more obscure language combinations are required. The interpreter hears the source language speaker and renders the message into a language known by all the other interpreters. These other interpreters then transfer the message to their target languages.
What factors determine the interpreting quote I receive?
Interpreting quotes are fundamentally different from translation quotes, because they can’t operate on a per-word basis – it’s impossible to know the number of words ahead of time for a live event, and the skill sets employed by the linguists are entirely different. The way we quote for an interpreting job depends on the nature of the event – if it is for an interview that might only take a morning to complete, we will quote at an hourly rate. Equally, if the job at hand involves full interpreting for a three-day conference, a daily rate will be used. The different types of interpreting also command different rates; simultaneous interpreting is usually far more mentally taxing for the interpreter than consecutive, and so will typically be the more expensive option.
The details of my meeting are highly confidential – how can you ensure the security of my information?
The security of our clients and the confidentiality of our clients are of paramount importance to everybody at Today Translations. Indeed, we were the first firm in our sector to fully identify the security risks involved in the provision of multilingual communications of any kind. This means we are the market leaders in the multilingual security of customer data, and as a consequence we have a strict risk mitigation framework in operation.
The linguist with whom you will work will always have been stringently vetted for suitability to the task at hand.
Today Translations also maintains full comprehensive insurance including professional indemnity. This cover is unique in so far as it extends to linguists working on projects under our instruction. In our 15-year trading history, we have never had cause to use our insurance facility.
Do you offer your interpreting services outside of the UK?
Yes we do – while the majority of our linguists are based domestically in the country where their specialist language is spoken, our international network allows for the possibility of working even with unusual language combinations in unexpected countries.
Do I need to source the equipment needed for an interpreting job?
Smaller interpreting jobs such as whispered interpreting will not require professional equipment; however, for larger scale events, such as conferences that use simultaneous, consecutive or relay interpreting, interpreters will require booths, headsets, and other specialist equipment. Any quote you receive will be inclusive of these costs, and we will arrange delivery and set-up, so you don’t need to worry about anything else.
My job requires technical expertise – do you have linguists qualified for the sector I need?
Today Translations maintains an extensive network of qualified interpreters with specialisms in a comprehensive range of fields – and we’re always on the lookout for more. Whether you need experts for a conference on oil drilling or a team who has the medical expertise to hold their own at a healthcare convention, we have the contacts to provide a perfect team for your needs.
Our stringent selection requirements are the only way to guarantee success.
What happens if I need to cancel a booking?
In the interests of efficiency, we enlist our interpreters as soon as possible after a booking. Arranging a booking with them also means that for that date, they turn down all other offers of work. Because of this, we have to charge a fee, which varies on the time frame before the event was due to take place. For more information please refer to our terms & conditions page (section 9.2).
What should I look for from an interpreting service provider?
It is vital before booking any service that you do an appropriate level of research. The first agency you see on a search page may not always be able to tailor their service to your needs, or indeed have the experience to put you at ease.
A good pointer to guarantee professionalism of service is the level of accreditation that an agency can boast. The International Organization for Standardization is the key international standard-setting body, and their qualifications are both hard to come by and indicative of superior planning and quality control procedures.
Today Translations has been ISO: 9001 independently certified for its quality control system since 2010. The firm has passed annual independent audits with zero non-conformities. In summer 2014, Today Translations also became the first specialised language service provider to be awarded the ISO:27001 accreditation, the internationally recognised standard for information and cyber security management systems.
We also demand a high level of individual accreditation from our interpreters. All our linguists hold at least a Bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement. Additional accreditations, professional memberships are evidenced during the recruitment process. Common accreditations include those from:
• The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL)
• The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
• The National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI)
Similarly, it is important to read testimonials and other reviews from the agency’s past clients, both private and from industry. This will give you insights into all stages of the customer experience, and gauge how smooth the process will be. Having successfully provided interpreting services both to small events and lengthy, high-profile ones is a sign of flexibility and capacity to look for.
How can I pay?
We accept payment by bank transfer, debit card, and credit card, although please note there will be a surcharge of 3-4% in the case of the latter. We can accept American Express.
