Adding an Interpreter to Zoom? Here are Four Ways to Improve the Call

Hopefully you’ve read our recent guide, “Zoom: How to Add an On-Call Interpreter to a Virtual Meeting.” It provides a simple, step-by-step process for bringing an interpreter into your Zoom call when you’re working with someone who speaks limited English or is Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Virtual meetings are here to stay, but they’re not all the same. Depending on the nature of your Zoom meeting, you may want to take additional steps to improve the experience for the person on the other end of the line.

DOWNLOAD: Zoom – How to Add An On-Call Interpreter to Your Virtual Meeting

The following are suggestions to help optimize your experience with a LanguageLine^® interpreter while on a virtual Zoom call:

1. Add your interpreter to the call first: For the limited English speaker, or the person who is Deaf or Hard-of Hearing, it is calming to have someone on the line from the very beginning who can help them communicate. Consider adding the interpreter to the call before the other party gets on the line. You can learn more about this feature here.
2. Can’t dial-out to a number from within Zoom? Zoom offers a dial-out function, but only for those who subscribe to that level of service. If you do not see that option on your Zoom interface, there is another option for adding an interpreter. Rather than using your computer audio, opt to use your phone for audio instead. Once you are joined to the Zoom call, press “Add Call” on your phone and follow the instructions on page 3 of our guide to bring an audio interpreter into your virtual meeting. You can learn more about this feature here.
3. Raise hands: Cross-talk makes it very difficult to track what is happening during a virtual meeting and convey meaning. Consider having the interpreter ask everyone to raise their hands before speaking. This eliminates the overlapping conversations that can be difficult to track.
4. Pin your ASL interpreter: To help those who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Zoom has added a feature that enables users to pin and spotlight multiple screens at a time. This allows the American Sign Language interpreter to always be alongside the speaker. You can learn more about this feature here.

Need a LanguageLine Account?

Our service is not voice to transcription. This is human interpretation from the finest linguistic team in the world. Our interpreters are medically qualified and meet all compliance standards. Connections to our certified interpreters are fully secure, meeting the rigorous standards of the health care, finance, and insurance industries, among others.

At LanguageLine, we envision a world in which language and cultural barriers no longer exist. Human-to-human interpretation is the most effective path to this goal. The instructions in our guide show you how to easily add a live, professional interpreter to your next Zoom call.

Please note that to add a LanguageLine interpreter, you must have an account. Are you new to LanguageLine? Setting up an account is easy. To get started, please call 1-800-752-6096 or email CustomerCare@languageline.com.

Hours of Operation

Please note that video interpreters are available from 6 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Audio-only interpreters are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

On a Platform Other Than Zoom?

Are you on a virtual platform other than Zoom? We support all the top platforms. Please contact your account executive for instructions. Alternatively, please call 1-800-752-6096 or email CustomerCare@languageline.com.

About LanguageLine 

LanguageLine has been the world leader in innovative language-access solutions since 1982. The company sets the global standard for phone, video, and onsite interpreting, as well as translation of the written word. LanguageLine is trusted by more than 30,000 clients to enable communication with the limited English proficient, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing communities. LanguageLine provides the industry’s fastest and most dependable access to more than 35,000 professional linguists in 290-plus languages — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Please do not hesitate to contact us.