Interpretation over the phone

This mode of interpretation allows two people who don’t speak the same language to connect using an interpreter over the phone. This kind of interpreting is usually done consecutively so, the interpreter lets one party speak, then relays the message in the other language. When the interpreter finishes, the other party responds and when they’re done, the interpreter renders the message into the first speaker’s language.

OPI typically occurs when there is no interpreter available on-site or when the two parties wanting to communicate are in different locations. Some settings where this is used are health care, government, financial or emergency telephone call centres.