Today, the United States is one of the most linguistically diverse countries on the planet. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as much as a fifth (21.7%) of the population speaks a language other than English at home. Therefore, language support is an important element of almost any modern organization.
Language service providers (LSPs) make it possible for organizations to communicate with people from all cultures, regardless of the language they use to communicate. Take a closer look at what an LSP is, how they benefit an organization, and how to find the best LSP for your organization.
What Is a Language Service Provider?
Language service providers offer language solutions to make it possible for organizations to communicate with individuals who may have limited-English proficiency (LEP). These services may involve a range of support solutions, including connecting individuals with interpreters using various levels of telecommunication, unique software solutions, and other services.
Types of Language Solutions
There are different modalities of language solutions, including:
- Telephone interpreting — Customers are connected to an interpreter via the telephone
- Video remote interpreting (VRI) — Customers are connected to an interpreter remotely through video and audio
- In-person interpreting — Customers interact with an interpreter on-site
- Translation services — Documents or printed materials are translated into a customer's language
How Organizations Benefit From Language Support
Effective communication lies at the heart of the human experience. Therefore, no matter the type of organization, language support can be highly beneficial.
Ensure Positive Customer Experiences
Partnering with an LSP automatically means LEP individuals that visit your organization get the same level of service as everyone else. For example, LEP individuals visiting a pharmacy will have access to translated medication information and can discuss medications with the pharmacist through an interpreter.
Enhance Customer Safety for At-risk Populations
LEP populations face undue risks simply because they don't speak English. For instance, LEP patients face higher risks of medical error, hospital readmission, and longer hospital stays than those that speak English.
Achieve Regulatory Compliance
Public service entities like law enforcement, medical providers, and educational facilities are required to have a language access plan in place to serve LEP individuals. However, many fail to have an effective level of language support in place, which can lead to severe regulatory consequences. Partnering with an LSP ensures organizations meet the requirements.
Stand Out Among Competitors
Organizations that offer language support to individuals that do not understand English can automatically stand out compared to competitors and increase revenue potential. For example, a retailer that has language support may naturally attract more LEP customers.
Tips for Choosing the Best LSP for Your Organization
With the value of partnering with an LSP evident on so many levels, it's important to choose the best company possible to work with as an organization. Take a look at a few factors to consider.
Industry Experience
Make sure the LSP has adequate experience working with organizations in your industry. There can be a lot of nuances involved in language interpretation in certain service scenarios. For example, a healthcare provider needs an LSP that understands the unique communication needs of LEP patients and has access to qualified medical interpreters.
Language Support Solutions
Look at the language solutions an LSP has available and make sure they can accommodate your needs. For instance, if your business works with those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, it's important to look for an LSP that offers VRI as a support option.
Custom Solutions
Each organization's language support needs are unique. Look for an LSP that can create custom language solutions that best serve your business. For example, GLOBO collaborates with clients to understand their needs, design custom service solutions, and implement new equipment.
Linguist Quality
Linguist quality is a top priority when partnering with an LSP because the quality of the professional linguist determines the outcome of experiences. Make sure any LSP you partner with has rigorous, comprehensive evaluation protocols in place for each linguist they bring to you.
Ongoing Support
Language services are not a once-and-done service model. Ongoing support with equipment, services, and even software used in your organization for language support is important. Make sure the LSP offers top-notch support, rapid communication, and a commitment to make your concerns their own.
Find Out If GLOBO Is the Best LSP for Your Organization
At GLOBO, we strive to offer better language support to keep everyone connected. Schedule a free demo of our services to find out how our list of language support options, custom solutions, and support can help your organization.
