Services
Interpretation
Interpretation
provided for an encounter between an English-speaking service
provider/decision-maker and a client, patient or other individual who
does not
communicate effectively in English. Most face-to-face interpretation
takes
place at a prearranged time and location, usually the office of the
client
organization. Frequently, however, the encounter involves an urgent or
unforeseeable circumstance, such as a hospital emergency, a police
investigation or an admission to a women’s shelter. Across
Languages provides
services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure that interpreters
are
available when they are needed most.
Confirmation
of Appointments: Confirmation of
a previously booked appointment date, time and particulars with the
non-English-speaking client or patient:
No charge
– this service is
automatically included in the fee for the first hour of interpretation,
unless you request no confirmation be attempted.
Rescheduled
Appointments: Booking is
cancelled with less than one day’s notice, but a rescheduled
date and time are
offered: No Charge, unless the interpreter cannot
be reached prior to
setting out for the assignment. If the interpreter cannot be
reached, the
minimum fee may be charged.
Cancellation Policy: Booking is
cancelled with one full business day’s notice or more: No
charge.
Cancellations of less than one full business day’s notice: A
minimum fee equal to the booked time may
be charged. NOTE: Bookings for multiple days and
bookings of 6 hours or more require a minimum two business
days' cancellation notice.
After Hours: There is an
hourly premium for face-to-face assignments and telephone interpreting
which take place between 9:00 p.m.
and 7:59
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Appointment
Booking Service
Setting an appointment date, time and
particulars with the non-English speaking client/patient on behalf of
the
English speaking professional or service provider. Includes one change
of
time/date and cancellation of the appointment, if required.
Telephone Interpretation (Conference Call)
Interpreting over the telephone. The non-English speaking
client/patient, the English speaking professional or the interpreter
are not present in the same location. Includes setting a mutually
satisfactory time/date for the telephone call with the non-English
speaker, if required.
Message/Information Relay
Providing information or a message by
telephone to the Non-English-speaking client/patient on behalf of the
English-speaking professional or service provider.
Fees
Contact us at 519-642-7247 or e-mail
info@acrosslanguages.org
Translation
and Voice Over Services
- Up to 65 languages
available
- Through our national network, Across Languages can find the
right person for your documents, websites, publications, presentations
and productions
- Translation and Voice Over
Services quoted on a
job-by-job basis
- For more information,
e-mail translation@acrosslanguages.org
or call
(519) 642-7247 ext 225
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Selection of
Interpreters
The selection of interpreters is based on the
following criteria:
- Demonstrated interpreting proficiency in English and the
language or dialect of the non-English speaker, usually through an
independently-marked ILSAT (Interpreter Language and Skills Assessment
Tool) or CILISAT
- Successful completion of our community interpreter training
program, or a similar program conducted by a community-based agency or
college (70-90 hours in-class time)
- Previous experience with the service provider and
non-English speaker
- Awareness of the expectations of the client organization
- Knowledge of the specialized language, practices, and
procedures of the client organization
Determination as to the extent to which the interpreter meets
the above criteria is the exclusive
responsibility of Across Languages.
Our interpreters are specially-trained individuals
under contract to Across Languages. Some
points of this contract may be of interest to you.
- The interpreter agrees to adhere to Across
Languages Standards of Practice for Interpreters, including
compliance with principles of strict confidentiality and impartiality
- The interpreter agrees to be screened for convictions under
the Criminal Code of Canada
- The interpreter is under contract to Across Languages and cannot seek
nor accept any remuneration or material consideration from either the client organization or the
non-English speaker
- The interpreter may not make private arrangements for
interpretation with any client organization or non-English speaker for
whom Across Languages has arranged interpretation services while under
contract to Across Languages and for one year following its
termination, except when the client organization and/or the non-English
speaker are already established clients of the interpreter
- Across Languages interpreters are covered by our Errors
& Omissions insurance
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How the interpretation request
process works
During regular office hours (8:30 - 4:30, Monday to
Friday), call (519) 642-7247 or Toll Free 1-866-833-7247
to arrange an interpreter.
We will ask you for:
- Date, Time and Location of the appointment
- Your name, position and phone number/extension
- The name of the primary English-speaking professional the
non-English speaker will be seeing and who the interpreter should
report to upon arrival
- Relevant information about the appointment, including any
instructions you may have for the interpreter and any instructions to
be relayed to the non-English speaker
(This also allows the interpreter to prepare for the terminology likely
to be encountered in the session and enables Across Languages to select
the most suitable interpreter)
- The language requested and gender, age (if relevant), name
and phone number of the non-English speaker
(the Interpreter will confirm the appointment date, time and location,
and provide any instructions prior to arriving for the appointment)
- Note: The interpreter is obliged to decline the assignment
if her/his relationship with either party may hinder impartiality or
present a potential conflict of interest
- Invoicing information, if relevant
You may also Fax requests to 519-642-1831.
For Emergency service outside
normal business hours call (519) 642-3003.
Confirmation of appointments
-
Unless instructed otherwise, we attempt to verify that the
non-English speaker understands the time and
location of the appointment and that an interpreter will be present. If
any problems are identified, we
notify you. There is no additional charge for this service.
-
If you request Across Languages set up an appointment, we
will contact the non-English speaker in
his/her own language by telephone. We will arrange a mutually
acceptable time for both parties. This
service carries a small fee and includes one change of date/time and
cancellation, if necessary.
Failure to appear
- In the event that either party fails to appear, the
interpreter and Across Languages will attempt to
determine the cause, unless instructed otherwise by the client. At the
discretion of the client organization, the interpreter may leave after
a reasonable time, usually 20-30 minutes.
Verification of hours
Service evaluation and
problem solving
-
The interpreter may request that you complete a short
feedback questionnaire which can be mailed or
faxed back to Across Languages. Any questions, concerns or complaints
regarding the interpreter or the
service should be brought to the attention of Interpretation Services
staff or the Executive Director.
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