Now Interpreters » Services

FAQs – Clients

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:51:48 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I place an order?

It is very simple for our clients to place orders for services. You will receive a confirmation by fax or email after placing the order as well as a confirmation call 24 hours before your order. Place an order any other the following ways:

Call us at (800) NOW-8191 or (408) 291-0571
Download an order form. Fax to (408) 291-0570
E-mail our Project Manager directly at info@nowinterpreters.com
Order online

Do you handle same day requests?

Definitely. We have a strong reputation for handling last minute requests for our clients. With our network of interpreters and translators, we can easily locate the proper language professional and provide a quick turn around time for both interpreters and translators. After all, our name says it all: NOW Interpreters!

What is your cancellation policy?

We require a 24-business hour cancellation notice for all assignments. In some cases, a 48 or 72-hour notice may be required due to the language or type of service. For more information on our cancellation policy please call our office at (800) NOW-8191.

What is the difference between interpretation and translation?

Interpretation is the spoken word. Translation is the written word.

What is a certified interpreter?

A certified interpreter is an individual who has passed an interpreter certification exam, usually mandated by legislation. Please note, outside the courts and legal system in the United States, there is no nationally recognized standard or certification for interpreting. There are many state level certifications, and industry specific certifications, such as health care.

Which languages are Court certified?

Court certification is available in Arabic, Eastern Armenian, Western Armenian, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

A certified interpreter must pass a written and oral exam in English and the other language they are being certified for.

What is the difference between simultaneous and consecutive interpretation?

Simultaneous interpretation is real-time language conversion: speakers talk as they normally would, without pause, as the interpreter listens to one language and speaks in another at the same time. The interpreters are seated in a sound-proof booth in the conference room and are equipped with microphones that transmit their voice through wireless technology. Each attendee has a wireless transmitter and listens to the interpretation through headphones. When conferences are interpreted into multiple languages, each language is broadcast on a separate channel so attendees can choose which one they want to hear. We can provide up to 10 different languages in this manner.

Consecutive interpretation occurs after each passage of speech, and requires pauses between passages for the interpretation to be spoken. First the interpreter listens to the entire original phrase or passage, then s/he interprets it into the desired language. This mode is often used for Q&A of non-English-speaking witnesses in court. It usually lengthens proceedings by slowing communication as the listeners wait for each language to be spoken before the other language can recommence. Consecutive interpreting calls for excellent short-term and long-term memory, note-taking skills, a grasp of subtle nuances in both languages, and mastery of speaking styles, to preserve the tempo and mannerisms of a speaker.

When is interpretation equipment required?

Interpretation equipment is a requirement for simultaneous interpretation. Whereas a consecutive interpreter may use the same PA equipment as the delegates at a meeting to broadcast their interpretation, a simultaneous interpreter requires a parallel system that will enable those delegates who so desire to hear the alternate language. This is normally achieved through the temporary installation of a transmitter and wireless receivers.

What kind of equipment is required for Simultaneous Interpretation to be successful?

The equipment required for interpretation can range from a single transmitter to a complex integrated audio delivery system. In planning your interpretation assignment, your project manager will ask you a number of questions in order to determine the optimum lowest-cost configuration for your event. Equipment such as audio systems, soundproof booths, headsets, recording systems and wireless microphones may be necessary to ensure that all delegates have access to the technology that will enable them to get the most value from an event.

Industries & Clients

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Interpreting for the Legal and Medical Communities

For more than 18 years Now Interpreters has faithfully served the legal community on all levels. Our interpreters fully understand the formalities and protocol of legal proceedings (Depositions, arbitrations, trials, medical evaluations, etc.) and are carefully trained to comply with their critical responsibility as a legal interpreter.

Insurance

Insurance companies require certified interpreters and translators to effectively meet their language needs nationwide. In addition to our nationwide interpreting and translation team, NI has excellent customer service, competitive rates, and online client capabilities suited for insurance companies.

Event Planning

Event planners have come to recognize Now Interpreters as the preferred choice for high-caliber simultaneous interpreters and top-of-the-line interpreting equipment for conferences and events. Now Interpreters has project managers that closely work with event planners to ensure the success of every event—small or large. Now Interpreters can also translate any event materials such as handouts, presentation slides, schedules, and more into print-ready files.

Government

Federal, State, County and City government officials require interpretation and translation services to accommodate the growing diversity of cultures within their populations. Now Interpreters has been a preferred vendor across many government agencies as their primary language service provider.

Ad Agencies

Now Interpreters works closely with marketing and advertising agencies to localize and translate products and services distributed across the globe. Now Interpreters can provide consultation and translation services specially designed to handle the needs of creative agencies.

Some of our current and past clients:

GOVERNMENT

City of San Jose
US Department of Labor
City of San Francisco
Department of Fair Employment
EDD
Labor Commission Office
Social Security Administration

ORGANIZATIONS:

VTA Planning
Cal Trans
California Waste Solutions
Berryessa School District of San Jose
Mercury News

CORPORATIONS:

Medlink
Crisis Care Network
San Jose Focus Group
North American Title Co.
Foster Wine Estates
Stongwell Manufacturers
Teledex

TECHNOLOGY:

Nortel Communication
Opsware
Monster Cable
EDC Biosystems
IBM
Cisco Systems

LAW OFFICES:
City Attorneys Office San Francisco

Cunningham Lindsey
Donahue, Bates, Blakemoore & Mackey
Gavin & Cunningham
Law Office of Hanna & Brophy
Haworth, Bradshaw, and Stalknee
Leach, McGreevy & Labrador
Schmit Law Offices
Fitzgerald, Abbott, and Beardsley
Cornel Law Group

INSURANCE:

AIG
21st Century
All State
Argonant
Broadspire
California Indemnity
Cambridge
Chubb Group
Crawford and Co.
Farmers
Fireman’s Fund
Foster Farms
Gallager Bassett
Kaiser
Majestic Insurance
Safeway
State Compensation Insurance Fund
Sedgwick
The Hartford Insurance Company
Unicare

Transcription

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:46:32 +0000

Transcription Services

Whether you require the transcription of a taped interview or a recorded statement, we create transcripts from all types of video and audio recordings in more than 150 languages. Upon request, transcripts can be translated by a certified translator as well as notarized.

Court Proceedings
Legal Trials
Wire Taps
Insurance Statements
Medical Records
Operative Reports
Client Presentations
Round Tables
Focus Groups
Seminars
Meetings
Marketing Research
Press Conferences
Scripts
Interviews

Translation

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:24:49 +0000

Now Interpreters goal is to provide accurate language translation services and professional results at affordable rates. Our mission is to give your company a competitive advantage by breaking the language barrier with your monolingual clients. Quick turn around times, competitive rates, and professional project managers set us apart from our competition.

We strive to provide a full range of translation services in most subjects and industries, from and into more than 150 languages with a specialization in several key areas, such as: Technical, Financial/Business, Medical, Legal, as well as other areas of expertise.

Our certified translators integrate a variety of factors that affect translation such as the characteristics of the target language, the target market, the layout of a document, and the subject matter.

List of industries:

Advertising
Aerospace
Automotive
Computers
Educational
Engineering
Financial
Food Service
Insurance
Legal
Localization
Manufacturing
Medical
Pharmaceutical
Technical
Travel

Examples of documents frequently translated by our professionals include but are not limited to:

TECHNICAL – Manuals, Training Manuals, Guides, Specifications, and Patents
FINANCIAL – Annual Reports, Grant Requests, and Business Proposals.
MEDICAL – Policies, Reports, Patient Records, and Consent Forms
LEGAL – Contracts, Agreements, Proposals, Briefs, and Laws
NON-PROFIT – Labor Agreements, Outreach Programs, Educational Pamphlets, and Public Awareness
OTHER – Areas our translators have expertise in include: Birth Certificates, Immigration (INS), Telecommunications, Real Estate, Software, Government/Politics and Education

Multilingual Desktop Publishing (DTP)

We won’t stop at just the translation. Our translation agency can provide translations formatted in ready-for-print graphic file formats such as InDesign, Quark XPress, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, PowerPoint, Word, Publisher, and more.

Brochures
Fliers
Booklets
Business Cards
Manuals
Posters
Signs

Web Site Localization

When it comes to the Web, content is key. Traditional translation is no longer as effective in a space like the Internet, where there are no boundaries. That’s why we provide Web site content translation services with extra sensitivity to market and cultural differences, while carefully integrating the appropriate translation tone.

Contact our Translation Department today to obtain a quote. Feel free to Call, Email or Fax your request. Our staff will discuss your project or needs with you and gather all details to gain a better understanding of your particular needs and requirements. This open line of communication is continual; your comfort and confidence in our services from the onset is vital.

We look forward to helping you with ALL your translation needs.

Interpreting

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:45:32 +0000

Now Interpreters only associates with experienced, certified, and accredited interpreters that have mastered their language field. We pride ourselves on accuracy and confidentiality.

Consecutive and Simultaneous On-site Interpreting

Trained in both consecutive and simultaneous modes, our certified and experienced interpreters work within a multitude of settings such as:

Depositions
Arbitration
Trials
Attorney/Client Meetings
Medical Evaluations (QME/AME/IME)
Administrative Hearings
Workers Compensation Hearings
Statements
Interviews
Meetings
Three-Way Conference Calls

Conference Interpreting

With simultaneous interpreters and state-of-the-art interpreting equipment we can handle multilingual events of all sizes. Our highly skilled conference interpreters must pass a rigorous selection process. Portable soundproof booths and wireless transmitters allow us to be wherever you need us. An on-site project manager and technician are always there to ensure your event runs smooth and seamless. Allow us to take care of translating the conference materials as well.

Conferences
Conventions
Trade Shows
Meetings
Training Sessions
Symposiums
Tours

Additionally, because we realize that “no shows” can be frustrating and costly to you we confirm all appointments 24-48 hours in advance to all parties involved as well as provide directions to your client in his or her own language at no additional cost.
Fees

Our fees are based on the time spent at each appointment. There are no hidden charges or extra fees and we will never bill you for meals, parking, or toll charges. We also provide a variety of discounts such as return visits within a 30 day period, multiple appointments discounts, and same day appointments lasting more than 6 hours.

And should the need arise, we also provide telephone conference calls between you and your client in ensure your message is understood and received accurately for an additional small fee.