Expert interpreting services for every situation
Interpreting involves translating the spoken word, and selecting the right interpreter can make all the difference. At Business Language Services, we have been providing accurate, reliable and cost-effective interpreting solutions to businesses, organisations and individuals for over 30 years.
Whether it is for a business meeting, a court case, a medical appointment or a large multilingual conference, our team of expert interpreters will ensure effective communication in any situation.
Business Language Services offers interpreting services in almost all languages spoken today, and in various formats to suit your needs. Whether you require consecutive or simultaneous interpreting, via video call, telephone or face-to-face, we will work with you to design a bespoke interpreting solution that fits your specific requirements.
How to get a quote for interpreting services
Quick, Simple and Reliable: Interpreting Made Easy
To provide an accurate quote for an interpreting assignment, there are four key pieces of information that we will need:
Provide Language Details
Let us know the language combination(s) required including, if applicable, the regional dialect(s).
Share Meeting Information
Specify the time, date, location and duration of the meeting, and whether it will be virtual or in-person.
Define Interpreting Needs
Indicate the type of interpreting and any specific interpreter requirements, such as an enhanced DBS check or court clearance.
Outline Meeting Content
Provide a brief overview of the meeting's content to help us assign an interpreter with expertise in your industry or setting.
What type of interpreting do you require?
There are two main types of interpreting – simultaneous and consecutive.
Simultaneous interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting is mostly used for large events such as conferences, where interpreters translate speech in real time with minimal delay.
- Expert interpreters – often two per language
- Interpreter listens to the speaker and relays in the chosen language in real time
- Each linguist interprets in one direction: always into their native language
- Specialist equipment is required, such as headsets and microphones – we can provide this
- Preferred choice for large conferences, workshops and meetings with a large number of attendees, and when multiple languages are needed
Consecutive interpreting
Consecutive interpreting is ideal for smaller settings like business meetings, court proceedings, and medical appointments.
- Expert interpreter – generally only one per language
- Interpreter listens to the speaker and relays it in the chosen language after the speaker has paused
- One linguist interprets in both directions
- No specialist equipment needed
- Popular choice for court proceedings, small scale training courses, medical and business appointments, and small group discussions
Interpreting formats
There are two interpreting formats – virtual and in-person.
Virtual (video call and telephone)
Interpreting via telephone or video call is by far the most popular method of interpreting, as it allows interpreters to assist in meetings no matter their location.
This also gives customers access to a larger pool of linguists, including industry specialists or interpreters for rarer languages.
Video calls are generally preferred over telephone calls wherever possible, since visual cues such as gestures and facial expressions help to build rapport and minimise misunderstandings by conveying subtle information that is not always expressed by a speaker’s tone of voice.
Additionally, since both the client and the interpreter can attend virtual meetings from anywhere with a good telephone or internet connection, they can be arranged at shorter notice compared to in‑person meetings.
In-person (face-to-face interpreting)
On‑site interpreting is ideal for long, sensitive or complex multi‑party discussions, and is often required for simultaneous interpreting.
Its benefits include a more natural free‑flowing conversation, allowing multiple speakers to communicate without structured turn‑taking or pauses for interpretation.
Face‑to‑face interpreting is particularly useful for individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing, have learning difficulties or have limited access to technology.
It can also allow interpreting to take place outdoors or in areas with poor phone signal or internet access. However, on‑site interpreting does incur additional travel costs for interpreters, so it needs to be arranged further in advance than virtual interpreting.
How to choose the right interpreting service
Choosing the right interpreting service provider is essential to ensuring that your event runs smoothly, and everyone gets what they need from the conversation.
At Business Language Services, we have been providing reliable, top‑quality interpreting services for over 30 years, so no matter your industry or language combination(s), we will have an experienced interpreter to meet your needs.
All our hand-picked interpreters have extensive expertise and qualifications, which is vital for achieving total understanding in every conversation. Our expert project managers are also on‑hand to ensure that we fully understand your requirements, and will arrange all the necessary linguists and equipment, allowing you to focus on your event.
Benefits of professional interpreting services
Professional interpreting services not only guarantee constructive and effective communication, but also ensure trust and understanding between parties.
At Business Language Services, we are here to support you every step of the way. Most of our interpreters are members of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI), the UK’s membership organisation for qualified, professional interpreters.
All our interpreters are at minimum DBS-checked, and many also hold additional clearances for police, courts or other situations, so you can be sure that your information is handled securely and confidentially.
This is particularly important in sensitive situations involving vulnerable people such as children, asylum seekers, people with physical or mental disabilities, or victims of crime.
