Using a Phone's Conference-Call Feature to Connect with an Interpreter

Today’s environment and the growing need for language support have some people perplexed. How can they incorporate an interpreter if all three parties — for example, the doctor, the patient, and the interpreter — are in three different locations? Is this even possible?

Yes! There are two easy ways to access an interpreter that are equally simple, even if all three parties are all in different locations.

Here’s how it works.

What you’ll need

Every organization with a LanguageLine^(R) account has a designated 800 number and a unique access code. You’ll need these two assets before beginning your call.

Once you have those, you’re ready to begin.

The scenarios below depict a healthcare setting; however, these steps can be utilized by any industry, including finance, insurance, retail, education, or government agency.

Scenario 1: Call LanguageLine first and ask the interpreter to make the outbound call

In this scenario, there are three participants: the doctor, the limited English patient, and the interpreter. The doctor is already aware of the language the patient speaks (in the following case, it is Spanish) as well as the patient’s phone number.

The doctor first calls the designated LanguageLine 800 number and enters the access code. She will then hear a prompt that says, “Press 1 for Spanish. Press 2 for all other languages.” She presses “1” to connect to a Spanish interpreter.

Within seconds, a Spanish interpreter joins the line and greets the doctor in English. The doctor provides the interpreter with the patient’s name and phone number to call the Spanish-speaking patient.

The interpreter then makes a third-party dial-out to the patient, who is addressed in Spanish from the start of the conversation. All three parties are then bridged by the interpreter.

This is a very simple approach that requires no technical expertise. The person who initiates the call must simply have four details:

1. The organization’s 800 number
2. The organization’s access code
3. The patient’s name
4. The patient’s desired language

Scenario 2: Use your smartphone’s conference-call feature

Every smartphone can add a third party using its conference-call or “Add Call” feature. Using this feature is simple.

In this instance, the doctor would already have the patient on the line.

1. On her smartphone, the doctor then taps “Add Call.” The patient will be placed on hold.
2. The doctor then dials the LanguageLine 800 number and inputs her access code.
3. She then hears a prompt saying, “Press 1 for Spanish. Press 2 for all other languages.”
4. After following the prompts to the appropriate language, an interpreter comes on the line within seconds. The doctor gives a brief overview of the patient.
5. The doctor taps “Merge Calls” to connect both parties together.

The conversation will proceed as if the doctor and patient were in the same room.

LanguageLine Can Help

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.