Is it true that telephone interpreters cannot perceive any nonverbal cues?
No. A large amount of nonverbal information can be perceived through tone of voice, inflection, breathing patterns, hesitations, and other auditory input. Interpreters who work via telephone should be trained specifically in listening skills that enable them to perceive and process this type of nonverbal information better. Interpreters working via telephone cannot perceive information that is transmitted visually, such as gestures and facial expressions. How necessary is the visual aspect of interpreting? It depends greatly on the context and the circumstance. For some settings, such as one where patient education is being provided, an interpreter might benefit from seeing the process that is being described in order to interpret accurately. Also, if an interpreter has not been trained in telephone interpreting and is accustomed to interpreting in face-to-face settings, he or she may feel at a disadvantage when visual elements are removed. To ensure quality, what matters most is that
