Common Acronyms in the Language Services Industry: A Guide for New Interpreters
Starting a career as an interpreter is an exciting journey into a dynamic and essential field. As you begin to explore interpreter jobs, you’ll quickly notice that the language services industry has its own unique vocabulary, filled with acronyms that can be confusing at first.
Understanding this terminology is a key step in navigating the industry with confidence. This guide will break down some of the most common acronyms you'll encounter, helping you communicate effectively with colleagues and potential employers. By the end of this post, you'll have a solid grasp of the language of language services.
LEP: Limited English Proficient
One of the most fundamental acronyms is LEP, which stands for Limited English Proficient. This term describes individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English.
As an interpreter, you will be providing crucial services for the LEP community, ensuring they have equitable access to important services in healthcare, legal, and government settings. Your role is to bridge the communication gap, allowing LEP individuals to understand complex information and make informed decisions about their lives. Recognizing the needs of the LEP population is central to the work you do.
LSP: Language Service Provider
When you start searching for interpreter jobs, you'll frequently see the term LSP, or Language Service Provider. An LSP is a company or organization that offers a range of language services, including interpretation, translation, localization, and more. AMN Healthcare Language Services is a prominent example of an LSP.
These providers connect qualified interpreters with clients who need language support. Working with an LSP can offer numerous benefits, such as access to a steady stream of assignments, long term employment, administrative support, and professional development opportunities. Building relationships with reputable LSPs is a great way to grow your career.
OPI and VRI: Remote Interpreting
The way interpreting services are delivered has evolved significantly with technology. Two acronyms you'll see constantly are OPI and VRI.
OPI: Over-the-Phone Interpreting
OPI stands for Over-the-Phone Interpreting. This service connects an interpreter with a client and an LEP individual via a three-way phone call. OPI is a flexible and immediate solution, often used for brief consultations, scheduling appointments, or situations where an in-person interpreter isn't available. Many interpreters appreciate OPI work for the flexibility it offers, allowing them to take calls from a quiet home office.
VRI: Video Remote Interpreting
VRI, or Video Remote Interpreting, takes remote services a step further by adding a visual component. Through a video connection, the interpreter can see the client and the LEP individual. This is particularly valuable in medical settings, where visual cues and non-verbal communication are important for accurate understanding. It's also an ideal method for American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation.
IVR: Interactive Voice Response
Finally, as you work with LSPs, you will likely interact with an IVR system. IVR, which stands for Interactive Voice Response, is an automated telephony system that interacts with callers, gathers information, and routes calls to the appropriate recipient.
When you call into an LSP's system to accept an assignment, you might be guided by an IVR. For example, the system could ask you to enter your interpreter ID number or select the language you are interpreting for. Understanding how to use an IVR system efficiently will help you connect to your assignments smoothly and quickly.
Chart Your Course with Confidence
Getting familiar with industry acronyms like LEP, LSP, OPI, VRI, and IVR is a simple but important step in your professional development. It shows that you're invested in your career and ready to engage with the language services community.
Are you ready to put your knowledge into practice? AMN Healthcare offers a variety of exciting interpreter jobs for dedicated professionals like you. Explore our open positions today and take the next step in your interpreting career.
