When you write, you translate. When you speak, you interpret.
Spanish Translation and Interpretation Services
The Communications Office offers translation and interpretation services to help City departments connect effectively with the Spanish-speaking community. Discover these services to assess whether in-house or contracted support best meets your needs.
Submitting Translation & Interpretation Requests
Contracted Requests
To request translation or interpretation services (including urgent requests), contact one of the approved vendors below:
GLOBO Language Solutions
translation@helloglobo.com
dorinda.bentley@helloglobo.com or troy@helloglobo.com
267-376-2771 or 215-709-0990
Homeland Language Services
homelandlanguageservices.com
855-457-0101
Lango
lango.co
Translation & Interpretation Network
tintranslation.com
TransPerfect
skamyszew@transperfect.com
773-414-3428
For interpretation services: Once you have secured an interpreter, provide them the City's Guide for Interpreters.
In-House Requests
The Communications Office may assists with in-house Spanish translations. Documents that are approximately 250 words will be evaluated to determine if in-house or contracted services are recommended.
Submit your request using this English to Spanish (DOCX) template to translations@phoenix.gov.
To schedule interpretation services for all public meetings for the City Manager, Mayor and City Council offices, contact the Communications Office MAII to assist you.
Contracted Translation Workflow
1. Before Making a Translation Request
Before you send any content to the translation company, make sure that the file you have is the final document. Otherwise, the author may continue to make edits after it has been sent out for translation.
If you've had similar projects in the past and want the translator to use the same terminology for consistency (name of department, program, slogan, etc.), you should provide that information in your initial request.
2. Requesting a Quote and Time of Completion
The goal of this step is to have a total cost and verify that your deadline can be met. After you receive a quote, provide it to your department's budget/finance team. No services should be contracted out until the quote has been approved.
3. During Translation in Progress
Make sure that you are available and responsive to any interaction with the vendor. Translators sometimes have questions about the content. Your timely response is crucial for the project to be completed on time.
4. After Content Returns from Translation
Once the translation is delivered to you, open all the files to verify that you have received the correct documents and acknowledge receipt.
5. Payment
A PO number should have been created by your department's budget/finance team when the quote was approved in Step 2. If you receive an invoice, send it to your department's budget/finance team for processing.
Translation FAQs
See a list of contracted vendors under Submitting Requests.
Contact one of the approved vendors in the Submitting Requests section of this page. No services should be contracted out until a quote has been approved.
If you see a translation error or typo while reviewing the finished document, ask the translator to make the necessary adjustments.
It's impossible to predict the delivery time without reviewing the source document. You need to send your files to the translation company to allow them to prepare a quote and time of completion.
To avoid a translation that is meaningless to the audience, a translation must be conducted by an individual that is fluent in the source and target language. Automated translations and other online translation tools are discouraged for official City business.
Speaking two languages does not make someone a good translator. Translating entails accurately transferring the meaning of the original text into the target language. The final translation must be tight and well-written.
You are encouraged to do so. It will help translators understand your expectations to better serve you in the future.
Interpretation FAQs
No. Professional interpreters have language certifications and hundreds of hours of training. The ability to listen, analyze and interpret at the same time is a difficult skill that requires a lot of practice.
During simultaneous the interpreter transposes the words of the speaker into a target language using headsets or another form of audio system. The interpreter's voice is sent into the system for those who wish to listen.
During consecutive the interpreter listens to a short speech, then the speaker pauses and allows the interpreter to repeat their statements in the other language.
A good interpretation involves listening, understanding and communicating the message accurately without altering the original message. An interpreter is required to be highly proficient in both languages.
The cost varies. There are different rates for in-person and remote interpretations.
Contact one of the approved vendors in the Submitting Requests section of this page. No services should be contracted out until a quote has been approved.
Simultaneous services are used for events to flow uninterrupted. Keep in mind that each situation is unique, such as meetings with live public comment. You are encouraged to discuss this with the interpretation company and determine the best option.
Most companies don't provide the equipment, only the interpreter. Always discuss the logistics of your event and the equipment required with the vendor.
For in-person meetings that require simultaneous interpretation, the City has headsets available. They should be reserved in the Communications Office by emailing communications.office@phoenix.gov.
Other Services
ASL Interpretation and Closed Captioning Services vendors
- Arizona Interpreting Services
office@arizonainterpretingservice.com
480-961-7331
- Language Line Services
languageline.com
800-752-6096
- Translation & Interpretation Network
tintranslation.com
877-779-5544
- Lango SW
hello@lango.com
212-850-5099
- Horn Interpreting Services (Arizona Freelance Interpreting Services)
scheduling@azflis.com
480-595-9515