A2I Asian Festival Participation

Access 2 Interpreters at the Asian Festival in Columbus!
Access 2 Interpreters at the Asian Festival in Columbus!

Access 2 Interpreters was proud to participate in the Asian Festival, a major special event in Central Ohio. The annual event has more than 100,000 visitors thanks to the strong participation of many people regardless of origin and ethnicity.

As a leading interpretation and translation company in Columbus, Access 2 Interpreters had a strong involvement at the Asian Festival. A2I was recruiting interpreters for their growing staff in Columbus and people on-hand also utilized their services.

“The Asian Festival is a major cultural event in Columbus,” stated Yana Schottenstein, CEO of A2I. “Being able to find interpreters locally to help us expand our business is always exciting.”

The A2I team took photographs from the festival of employees showcasing their heritage while having a memorable experience. “It is great that Columbus puts on such an amazing cultural event that has strong recognition nationally,” said Schottenstein. “Our entire staff had a great time and we can’t wait until next year’s festival!”

 


10 Most Interesting Language Facts

At Access 2 Interpreters we like to stay aware of interesting facts taking place in our industry. Language can be traced back to over 15,000 years ago, which is why we find this form of communication so fascinating. Did you know that an estimated 7,000 different languages are spoken around the world? Less than 100,000 people speak about 90% of these languages!

According to the BBC, “languages are grouped into families that share a common ancestry. For example, English is related to German and Dutch, and they are all part of the Indo-European family of languages.”

Below we wanted to list 10 interesting facts about language according to the BBC. We have listed the most interesting language facts from where the majority of languages live to the hardest language to learn. Once you read our top 10 language facts you will have an overall better understanding of the numerous languages around us (many of which we translate and interpret at Access 2 Interpreters)

Thank You In Different Languages

  1. Over 2,200 of the world’s languages can be found in Asia, while Europe has only a mere 260.
  2. The most widely spoken languages, according to figures from UNESCO (The United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), are: Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Bengali, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, German and French.
  3. The five most difficult languages to learn are Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
  4. One quarter of the world’s languages are spoken by fewer than 1,000 people and if these are not passed down to the next generation, they will be gone forever.
  5. 2,500 languages are at risk of extinction.
  6. 75% of the world’s population doesn’t speak a word of English.
  7. The United Nations uses six official languages to conduct business: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic.
  8. The oldest languages known include Sanskrit, Sumerian, Hebrew and Basque.
  9. 200 artificial languages have been created since the 17th century.
  10. 10.  The so-called ‘critical period’ of language learning, believed to end sometime between ages 4-12.

Out of the 18 languages listed above in the language facts (German, Dutch, Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Bengali, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, French, Cantonese, Korean, Sanskrit, Sumerian, Hebrew and Basque), 16 of them are on our list of languages that our experienced staff can assist you with. Both Sanskrit and Sumerian are extinct languages that no one writes in or speaks.

See our list of languages to find out if your language is on the list. Our professionally trained interpreters provide services for Scheduled and Emergency Face-to-Face Interpretation and for Scheduled Telephone Interpretation in over 70 languages locally. We also provide over 180 languages for Instantaneous Telephone Interpretation Services nationwide.

For more information and a free language consultation, contact us today.


How To Choose The Best Translation Company

Translation is a complicated process, and the accuracy of the translation often has far-reaching implications. If you need a translation completed, it’s critical that you use the best translation company available. However, there are countless options out there that can translate your document, and it can be difficult to determine which is best. Fortunately, we can help. 

Access 2 Interpreters is a leading Columbus translation and interpretation company dedicated to serving Central Ohio and the Midwest. At A2I, we pride ourselves on our quality of work, determination, and dedication to you. We have gathered together what we believe are the most important factors to consider when choosing a translation and interpretation company, so you can make an informed decision. 

Language Proficiency and Native Speaking Ability

While many people claim to be able to speak, read and write in other languages, translation is so much more complex. Translation involves capturing the nuance and lexicon of one language and converting it into another without losing the tone or accentuation. This can be challenging, as languages vary tremendously in their rules, tenses, and uses, particularly for non-native speakers. For example, many of us grew up speaking and learning English. But since English is so very different from Chinese and other Sinitic languages, it can be difficult for non-native speakers to capture the minutiae of text structure and grammatical meanings. Certain words have very different meanings from the present tense to the future. A professional translator will take this into account when translating and provide a final product that captures the original document’s style and meaning.

An Understanding of the Subject Matter and Research Skills

Language is a means or tool by which something is communicated. However, in many ways, the “communicative content” is something that is outside the realm of language, where the subject matter is what drives the translation. That’s why industry knowledge and the ability to research are critical requirements of being a good translator. Many industries have particular jargon that is unique to them, such as medical or legal terms. A professional translator will know the right words to use and how best to convey these specific ideas.

Attention to Detail

Going over pages and pages of documents and translating them can be time-consuming, grueling work. However, a professional translator will persevere. Translating documents demands meticulous attention to detail and a good eye for particulars. A professional translation company will provide you with an impeccable final product, free of spelling errors, translation errors, and misused words. 

Punctuality

Often when a company is contracted to translate a document, there is a hard deadline that must be met. This means that punctuality is paramount. When choosing a translation company for your business, it’s important to pay attention to how quickly and accurately they can deliver a completed project. A professional translation company will provide an accurate deadline that you can expect to be met every time. 

Commitment to One’s Work

Of all of the factors that make a good translation company, commitment to one’s work is by far the most rewarding. A committed translator will be determined and dedicated, have a successful attitude, and approach each project with an open mind. Knowledge and talent are finite, and yet the problems and difficulties translators may encounter are infinite.

How Access 2 Interpreters Can Help

When your company needs an accurate and affordable translation, Access 2 Interpreters can help. We offer extensive translation services in over 50 languages for a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to education. We hold our team of knowledgeable translators to the highest industry standards to ensure quality and accuracy, guaranteed. Whether you need educational material translated or technical manual assistance, A2I can make sure nothing is lost in translation. We can help your company break the language barrier with professional and cost-effective interpretation and translation services. Contact us today to learn about our translation company and what we can do for you.


Telephone Interpreting Commonly Asked Questions

Whether you need to communicate with a patient or client, train a bilingual staff member, or negotiate a business deal with an overseas partner, A2I can help break the language barrier with professional and cost-effective interpretation and translation services.

Many questions arise in the interpretation industry regarding telephone interpreting. The following questions are beneficial for interpreters, language companies, and service providers who wish to learn more about telephone interpreting, as well as its potential benefits and limitations.

What is telephone interpreting?

Telephone interpreting is a service that connects human interpreters via telephone to individuals who wish to speak to each other but do not share a common language. Most often, telephone interpreting is performed in the consecutive mode. This means that the interpreter listens to each utterance first and then proceeds to render it into the other language, as opposed to speaking and listening simultaneously.

Who performs telephone interpretation services?

Access 2 Interpreters offers both Scheduled and Instantaneous Telephone Interpretation Services. A2I provides Telephone Interpretation Services in over 180 languages and Translation Services in over 50 languages nationwide.

When is telephone interpreting preferable to face-to-face interpreting?

Telephone interpreting is preferable to face-to-face interpreting in the following situations:

  1. When both parties are already communicating via telephone. Face-to-face interpreting is not a practical option when the primary interaction is taking place via telephone, so telephone interpreting is advisable in these cases.
  2. When trained interpreters are not available in person. When it comes to choosing among the patient’s family member, friend, an untrained bilingual staff member, or a telephone interpreting service, it is usually preferable to choose the interpreting service

Access 2 Interpreters provides services to private and public-sector clients throughout Ohio and across the U.S. We are proud to specialize in telephone interpretation!


Arabic Medical Translation Challenges

Access 2 Interpreters is a translation services company offering document translation, transcription, and voiceover translation services. A2I understands that not all translations are equally the same and that some topics or languages may be especially difficult, including Arabic medical translation.

Arabic medical translators work with content that is not only challenging but also complicated. The American Translators Association recently held a webinar specifically related to the challenges faced by Arabic medical translators and how to overcome such challenges.

At Access 2 Interpreters, our professional Arabic translators will allow you to have a seamless transition and allow for the best translation, even when it comes to Arabic translation.
For a Translator to overcome common challenges in the Arabic language they can:

1.  Learn and understand various challenges related to medical texts.

2.  Determine methods for producing accurate translations.

4.  Effectively use search techniques to find reliable primary resources.

5.  Verify the correct use of terms and expressions.

6.  Look for common errors and understand how to fix them.

 

Arabic medical translations must be performed by highly-skilled and experienced translators who have a thorough understanding of the language. At A2I we pride ourselves in creating the most vigorous screening and training program for interpreters and translators in Central Ohio.

Access 2 Interpreters maintains a separate education department known as the “Access Academy.” Access Academy is staffed by professional educators, linguists, Medical Doctors, and Juris Doctors who train our interpreters and translators in the Interpreter Code of Ethics and industry-specific terminology.

If you are looking for an interpretation or translation company in Columbus, contact Access 2 Interpreters to learn what separates us from the competition.


Can Learning a New Language Boost Your Creativity?

Learning a new language offers a variety of benefits, from being able to express yourself better to improving your memory. But did you know that it can also help boost your creativity? It’s true! Learning a new language can help rewire your brain, encouraging connections and interactions that may have otherwise been forgotten. Learn all about the different advantages of learning a new language with the language experts at Access 2 Interpreters below!

A new language offers a new perspective of the world
It has long been known that our native tongue has a fundamental effect on the way we perceive and interact with the world. This is illustrated through countless languages and cultures, each with their own idiosyncrasies and different perspectives. Some languages offer specific names for ubiquitous experiences, such as the German word schadenfreude, or, ‘happiness at the misfortune of another.’ Others boast unique sentence structures that can make you look at a common feeling through a new lens. For example, the French term for ‘I miss you’ is ‘Tu me manques;’ however, a more accurate translation may be ‘you are lacking in my life.’ These new point of views can augment the way you think about roadblocks and challenges, and offer unique solutions that may not have been as obvious otherwise.

Learning a new language can teach you to multitask more easily
Multitasking is more than just texting and walking– it’s also a major creative factor that can be improved by learning a new language! When you’re learning a new language, your mind is stretching muscles it hasn’t had to use before, multitasking in a very specific way. As you hear the language you’re learning, you’ll be translating it into your native language in order to understand. These mental gymnastics can strengthen your ability to multitask in other areas too!

Learning a new language gets comfortable with failure
When you’re learning a new language, you’re going to fail a lot before you succeed. Whether it’s conjugation, grammar, pronunciation, or a range of other elements, it’s an incredibly challenging undertaking. But in that failure, you’ll find success. Whereas you may have originally struggled with getting your point across, you’ll find that soon, you can place your favorite coffee order all on your own. Someone may ask for directions, and you’ll find yourself answering them without confusing the words for ‘left’ and ‘right.’ It’s these failures and successes that teach you to accept your limitations without being afraid to push them.

Language learning teaches you how to improvise
You’ve never really had to improvise until you’ve forgotten the word for ‘knife’ and had to call it a ‘little sword.’ Learning a new language keeps you on your toes and teaches you to express yourself more creatively. If you can’t think of the word you need, you’ll have to explain yourself differently. If you’ve forgotten the word for car, you can still get your point across by describing its size, purpose, and look.

Language at Access 2 Interpreters
At Access 2 Interpreters, we break through the language barrier in creative ways to help our clients. If you’re in the process of learning a new language but still aren’t comfortable with using it in a professional setting, we can help. We offer extensive interpretation and translation services for a wide range of industries, from education to social services. We hold our knowledgeable team to the highest standards to ensure accuracy and quality, guaranteed, and can help your company break the language barrier with professional and cost-effective interpretation and translation services. Contact us to learn about our interpretation and translation company and what we can do for you today.


The Spanish equivalent of Healthcare.gov – Cuidadodesalud.gov

Healtcare.gov-SpanishAccess 2 Interpreters, LLC is a Translation Services Company offering document translation, transcription, and voiceover translation services. We are constantly looking for compelling news from the translation industry to share on our website.

A hot topic in the United States has been the new healthcare reform law. Initially, the website had many issues after launch. However, not many people were discussing the rollout of this website in other languages.

Cuidadodesalud.gov, which went live in early December, is the Spanish equivalent of Healthcare.gov. Andres Rodriguez of SHFWire.com wrote a great piece, on this subject matter, which we’ve highlighted below.

Heathcare.gov Isn’t Touting ‘Se Habla Español’ Just Yet

After several delays, Cuidadodesalud.gov—the Spanish equivalent of Healthcare.gov—went live in early December. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) called the rollout “a soft launch” that will allow the site’s developers to collect feedback from users about their navigational experience. A CMS spokesperson said, “This will feed into our real-time work to help our efforts to continue to improve the system.”

The agency began advertising on the website in January. According to CMS, 3.8 million out of the 10.2 million uninsured Latinos use Spanish as their main language. Following the rollout of federal program earlier in October, healthcare providers reported an increase in Spanish-speakers looking for assistance in enrolling in the insurance exchanges. “It’s getting better as the exchanges get better, but it’s pretty intense in that we have patients and visitors at all levels of sophistication in being able to navigate a system like this,” says Alicia Wilson, executive director of La Clínica del Pueblo in Washington, DC.

La Clínica received $300,000 to train nine people to assist patients in navigating the exchange in Spanish. Wilson says the enrollment process can take multiple visits of several hours each. Some people, Wilson explains, need help creating email accounts or using a computer before they can even attempt to sign up. Those who seek help at La Clínica tend to be more comfortable with face-to-face interactions, so she does not foresee a decrease in those seeking help once Cuidadodesalud.gov is fully functional. “This is an unbelievable complex law with an unbelievably complex set of requirements and concept,” Wilson says.

For more information on the translation industry, be sure to “Like” Access 2 Interpreters on Facebook and read our most up-to-date content on the A2I Blog.


The Most Popular Non-English Speaking Languages in the USA

translateToday the United States holds over 313.9 Million people, with languages spoken from all over the world. Did you know that non-English languages have more than doubled in the U.S. since 1980?

As our country is extremely diverse and increasingly expanding toward bilingual households, you might still be surprised to see some of the most common languages spoken in homes in the United States. Do you know the most widely spoken languages other than English in the United States?

 

Below are the top 10 non-English languages spoken in the United States.

10. Portuguese

Nearly doubling (95 percent) since 1980, approximately 687,126 Portuguese speakers can be found in the U.S., most notably in New York, Providence, Boston and Miami.

9. Italian

Representing the largest decline on this list, Italian claims only 798,801 speakers – half as many as in 1980. Italian can still be heard in places like New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia.

8. Russian

Almost as big a boost as Vietnamese, the 851,174 Russian-speakers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco, among other cities, have increased by 391 percent.

7. Korean

1,062,337 speakers of Korean, located mainly in Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC and Chicago, have quadrupled (299 percent) over the last thirty years.

6. German

Found primarily in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington DC, German-speakers number 1,104,354, which is actually a 30 percent decrease in speakers since 1980.

5. Vietnamese

With an increase of 510 percent since 1980, Vietnamese is the language with the biggest change, with 1,207,004 speakers found in Los Angeles, San Jose, Houston and Dallas, among other cities.

4. Tagalog

This language from the Phillipines boasts 1,480,429 speakers in the U.S. – slightly more than tripling (212 percent) its numbers in the last three decades. Speakers of Tagalog are concentrated mainly in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and San Diego.

3. French

The 1,984,824 French-speakers found primarily in New York, Washington DC, Boston and Miami represent a 28 percent increase compared to 1980.

2. Chinese

Just about 2,464,572 people speak Chinese, an increase of 290 percent! You’re most likely to find Chinese-speakers in New York, Los Angeles or San Francisco.

1. Spanish

With 34,547,077 speakers, the number of Spanish-speakers in the US has increased by 210 percent since 1980, with the highest concentrations in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Chicago.

Access 2 Interpreters is a Columbus Interpretation Company and an Ohio Translation Company. A2I is dedicated to providing professional interpretation and translation services throughout Ohio and across the U.S.

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10 Amazing Facts About Languages

World languagesThere are an estimated 7,000 languages in the world today with Asia holding the title for the most languages in one continent with 2,200. There are a number of facts about languages, some interesting, some funny and some sad.

As a leading translation and interpretation services company, the Access 2 Interpreters team is well versed in over 180 different languages. We help break the language barrier and are always looking for interesting articles relating to our field.

Below are the top 10 amazing facts about languages all over the world.

1. One language dies every 2 weeks (14 days).

2. 300 = the number of languages the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been published in. It is the world’s most translated document.

3. 6 = the number of official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

4. Pinocchio, the book, is available in the most languages… after the Bible, of course.

5. 2,454 is the number of languages the Bible, or at least sections of it, is available in.

6. 4500BC is the oldest written language year to have been found. It was found in China on Yangshao culture pottery.

7. 9 = the number of languages the Pope tweets in. His Spanish account one has the most followers, closely followed by English.

8. Believe it or not, sign language has accents just as many other spoken languages.

9. If babies hear foreign languages in their first few months, they’ll find picking up languages easier in later life, a study has shown.

10. The United States has no official language.

Access 2 Interpreters is a Columbus Translation Company and an Ohio Interpretation Company. A2I is dedicated to providing professional interpretation and translation services throughout Ohio and across the U.S. For additional interesting language statistics read 50 fun facts about world languages.