Interpreting

Canadian military personnel in Afghanistan recently learned that, due to a communication barrier and inexperienced interpreters, innocent Afghans may have been jailed for supposed Taliban connections.

In the Canadian Parliament’s investigation, some Afghans labeled Taliban militants were jailed in Sarpoza prison after interacting with unreliable interpreters during questioning or detainment procedures.

» Read More of Communication Barrier in Afghanistan

A new healthcare bill targeting the Hispanic community highlights the importance of interpreting services in securing quality healthcare for Spanish speakers.

With 23 million Americans who have limited English proficiency, accurate and on-site interpreting are essential – especially in healthcare, when a life is on the line.

» Read More of Healthcare: Spanish Interpreters Needed

What’s the hot topic in translation today? The Tele Scouter – new high-tech glasses that attempts to interpret languages without a human translator.

Sounds great, right? Well, there are a few kinks in the plan.

» Read More of High-Tech Glasses or Human Translator?

The New Zealand service Crimestoppers, a British-owned hotline that allows individuals to report crimes, has new plans to offer callers access to interpreters over the phone.

Telephonic interpreting can be a convenient solution for those conducting multilingual conversations with someone far away — and might even be able to help fight crime!

» Read More of Interpreters on the Phone to Fight Crime

Tourists to Shanghai next year will be the first to try out a new fleet of taxicabs featuring English-language interpreters in China.

Shanghai’s five biggest taxi companies are trying out a new dispatch system using Chinese-to-English interpreters, in preparation for the celebrated World Expo in May 2010.

» Read More of New Interpreter System for China Taxis

Offering translation in schools can give parents with limited English a voice in the school system. And now parents are demanding to have a say.

Parents in New Haven, Conn., claim that there is not enough translation in local schools – limiting their ability to get involved in their kids’ education.

» Read More of Parents Call for Translation in Schools

Gamal Helal – the primary Arabic interpreter for the last four US presidents and six secretaries of state – left the office on October 22.

Helal’s work as an Arabic interpreter covered key events in US foreign policy over the past 20 years, from peace talks at Camp David to the aftermath of September 11.

» Read More of Presidential Arabic Interpreter Retires

From telephonic to consecutive, interpreting exists in many forms and formats. But how do you know which style of interpreting is right for your event or meeting?

Different situations require different interpreting formats, the most common of which are simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. Check out the benefits of these forms of interpreting, and when to use them.

» Read More of Simultaneous or Consecutive Interpreting?

Language takes many shapes and forms around the world and even within any one country. That’s why it can be so complex – and fascinating!

Now our language blog will let you know more about the languages and dialects ALS translates, interprets and transcribes, from fun language facts to current events.

» Read More of Welcome to the ALS Language Blog