What is an oral translator and why do you need one?

Here at 121 Captions, we are lucky enough to have some of the very best oral translators in the world working for us, all across the globe, covering multiple languages.

The only problem is, a lot of people don’t know what an oral translator is.

Ok, so what is an oral translator?

It might sound like a redundancy, but an oral translator is different from a regular translator. An oral translator is someone who can read someone’s lips as they speak and understand what it is they are saying.

Of course, it’s not simply watching someone’s lips – facial expressions, speech patterns, and hand gestures all play an important role in communication.

In fact, the majority of our communication is non-verbal, and facial expressions are incredibly important when it comes to lip reading. Think about all those poker players wearing sunglasses at the table, trying to hide what they’re thinking.

Many Deaf and hard of hearing people naturally pick up a little bit of lipreading, which can make life a lot easier for them, but to do it professionally takes great skill.

Why would anyone need an oral translator?

It’s not just those with hearing loss who might need an oral translator.

Here at 121 Captions, we regularly deal with security companies, lawyers and law enforcement agencies who need help with something.

Many CCTV systems are video only and don’t have the audio to go along with the picture. In order to either stop a crime from being committed or to convict/acquit after the fact, lawyers and police officers will use a forensic lip reader to examine the footage and fill in the audio.

Oral translating is also now widely used in the media, especially for sporting events. Reporters and news channels are hiring professionals to see what’s being said by players during games, hoping to find some juicy headlines.

Oral translating can also be used in medical cases where the patient can’t speak or communicate, freeing up time for healthcare professionals.

We have the best oral translators in the world

Tina Lannin, 121 Captions founder and owner, is one of the world’s foremost experts in professional lip reading, with years of professional experience working for solicitors, courts, private investigators, and the media.

Born deaf, Tina been the official lip reader for several public events, including the Royal Weddings of Prince William and Kate Middleton for Sky and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for the BBC.

Tina has won a prestigious award at the Expert Witness Awards, and it’s no surprise considering she can also lipread Arabic, German, Japanese, and Spanish!

The result of all of this is simple; if you need an oral translator, then seek out the best in the business. Contact us today for more information and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.