Remote interpreting (telephone/video interpreting) requires many of the same skills as other forms of interpreting, but it occurs without the interpersonal face-to-face interaction. The main difficulty lies in the fact that, like the simultaneous interpreter, the remote interpreter must be able to relay all messages solely through verbal means.

Remote interpreting, usually used in medical settings, is found less in community interpreting settings than in the business world, yet still may be used for some community interactions. Many companies that provide linguistic services such as interpreting and translation also provide remote interpreting services.

The general procedure for using a telephone interpreter is:

1) First party calls telephone interpreter provider

2) Provider finds interpreter and calls the second party

3) Interpreter facilitates the conversation

For more information concerning telephone/video and remote interepreting, see the following online articles:

What is Remote Interpreting? by Helge Niska

Perspectives on remote public service interpreting by Jennie Fors