Supporting Contract Interpreters

Did you know that roughly 75% of interpreters working in the United States are independent contractors?

Here at In Every Language, we understand the power of micro-business and we make it part of our mission to help contractors from disadvantaged background grow their careers.  Part of these efforts include our recent endorsement of the Contract Interpreters Information Center.

In this work, In Every Language joins respected colleagues from around the nation in supporting this valuable and growing resource.  The Center's website explains the benefits of running your own micro-enterprise as a contractor, contains advocacy information on the contractors' federal labor rights, and offers a blog updating state-specific information as it becomes available.  Information is also available on how an independent contractor can make her/himself more attractive to translating and interpreting agencies.

We appreciate our hardworking interpreters who strive day-in, day-out to ensure that our clients' communications are accurately conveyed from one language into the next.  That's why we do what we can to support them, and that is why In Every Language backs the Contract Interpreters Information Center.

Interpreting for Domestic Violence Victims

A few weeks ago, I discussed an upcoming training for domestic violence interpreting that In Every Language was putting together with the Ky Domestic Violence Association.  Well, the training was a success!  For those of you who were unable to make it, please find a clip from the training below, where we discuss the (lack of?) appropriateness of physical contact with the LEP.

Business Advice at Jewish Family and Career Services

Guest blog today with information for our Louisville-area contractors from Linda Golden, Project Manager:

Running a business is not an easy task. Invoicing, tax forms, marketing - the to-do list never ends. Yet as an independent contractor, that is what you're doing: running your own business.

At In Every Language, the interpreters and translators we work with are all independent contractors running their own language businesses. We frequently get calls with questions about invoicing, mileage reimbursement and letters of employment verification; however, IRS Employee vs. Independent Contractor laws limit our legal ability to offer anything but the most basic response to these questions. That's why we're excited to partner with Jewish Family and Career Services (JFCS) to offer all of our linguists small business development advice.

Need information on developing an invoice template for your language business? Not sure which tax forms you need to submit? Is travel to an appointment something you can write off on your taxes? What associations should you join? Should you get a business card? JFCS is happy to meet with you to answer all your questions. They also offer free business classes. In fact, a new class on writing a business plan will begin this Sunday (July 25th) at 1:00 PM. To register, call Gary Liebert at (502) 452-6341.

The Institute for Social and Economic Development recently published a brief article about JFCS's services on their blog. You can read it here: http://www.ised.us/blog/refugee-ida/his-goals-are-within-reach

If you would like to take advantage of the free services at JFCS, call Mary at (502) 452-6341 to schedule an appointment.

Translating Words, Transforming Lives

I promised to discuss Sustainable Brands more when I returned from the conference, and I will, but what I want to impart here in this blog is that WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE. No one can change our world or fix our planet but us. We all are powerful, we all can make a difference.

The difference we've chosen to make here at In Every Language is two-fold. That's why we're calling it Translation Plus Two.

I could write about it, and I'm sure in future blogs, I will, but for now, I simply want to introduce the idea that translation can be more and do more. (See how in the video I edited below.)

Translation has the power to change the world, just like you and I do. We can simply translate words or we can translate words AND transform lives. It's your decision when you choose a translation company to do only one, or both.

Does It Matter If an Interpreter Is Male or Female?

Here at In Every Language, we try to take gender into account when assigning interpreters for patients who speak Arabic. As one of our interpreters explains in this video (sorry in advance for the low audio quality), it truly does make a difference.

Meet Di

Di is one of our Chinese translators, and the first translator to complete a video bio for us.

Becoming a B Corp

Gone are the days of for-profits and not-for-profits; a new year is here. And with it comes a new business formation: the B Corp.

So what's a B Corp?  Officially, B Corporations are a new type of corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.  Unofficially, it's a for-profit company that puts people before profits.

And Kentucky now has its first.

Located in Louisville's NuLu District, In Every Language is the latest business to receive B Corp certification and the first in the Commonwealth.  The company is also the first translating and interpreting provider to be added to the B Corp list, joining well-known brands such as Dansko, Seventh Generation, King Arthur Flour, and Numi Organic Tea.

"At our core, we help people."  This is how the In Every Language mission statement begins.  This mission of putting community first is part of why In Every Language was the perfect certification candidate.  In addition, the medical interpreting services In Every Language offers provide limited-English speakers with intrinsic, medical benefits by helping them to better understand their care.  The company also contracts with low-income refugees and immigrants in the area, providing many under-employed individuals with opportunities for economic self-sustainability.  And by contracting with female translators and interpreters originally from more oppressive cultures, the company also gives many of these women their first opportunity to work outside the home.

In order to qualify for certification, businesses must score a total of 80 in the following areas: community leadership, community involvement, employment policies, consumer involvement, & environmental policy.  In Every Language's score was 127.4, one of the higher scores that Hardik Savalia with B Lab, the B Corporation certifying body, says an applicant company has ever had.

For more information on B Corps, please visit bcorporation.net/about.

For more information about In Every Language, please visit ineverylanguage.com.

Video Bio #8: Meet Elena

Meet Elena, one of the sweetest interpreters you'll ever find.

Video Bio #7: Providencia!

Meet Providencia, one of our contract interpreters for Spanish. Extra bit of trivia here, too, blog readers: Providencia is also an opera singer!

Video Bio #6: Meet Misha

Learn more about Misha, a Russian interpreter contracting with In Every Language.

Your Bio Here?

So, what do you think our own new video bio series? Be honest.

Well, good or bad, here's your chance to help shape it. In Every Language currently has an open call for video bios from our clients, contractors, and employees. Let's all get to know each other better!

Bios should be between 30 and 45 seconds and follow these guidelines:

- Include your name
- If you're a translator or interpreter, include the languages you work in
- Mention that you contract with In Every Language (if you do)

Optional topics include
- Why you work with In Every Language
- Why you translate/interpret (if applicable)
- Yourself & your interests
- Action shots (video of you interpreting, etc)

Please email questions & bios to Julia Kimbro at julia@ineverylanguage.com. Accepted bios will be placed on this blog, the company Facebook page, and possibly other sites.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you!