Skip to main content
Department for Communities Department for Communities An Roinn Pobal Depairtment fur Commonities

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Topics
  • Publications
  • Consultations
  • Contact

Translation help

Translate this page

Select a language

  • Arabic — عربي
  • Chinese (Simplified) — 中文简体
  • Chinese (Traditional) — 中文繁體
  • Dutch — Nederlands
  • Filipino — Filipino
  • French — Français
  • German — Deutsch
  • Hungarian — Magyar
  • Irish — Gaeilge
  • Italian — Italiano
  • Latvian — Latviešu
  • Lithuanian — Lietuvių kalba
  • Polish — Polski
  • Portuguese — Português
  • Romanian — Română
  • Russian — Русский
  • Slovak — Slovenčina
  • Spanish — Español
  • Ukrainian — Українська
  • Telephone interpreting services

    Topics:
    • Languages, 
    • Irish, 
    • Ulster-Scots, 
    • Sign language

    The Department for Communities has commissioned Contractors to provide telephone interpreting services to the NI Public Sector. This service is available as and when required including outside normal office hours and weekends. Normal office hours is defined as 08:00 – 18:00 Monday to Friday.

    The telephone interpreting service

    The service includes telephone Interpreting services, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The telephone interpreting services has been awarded in rank order. Should the first ranked contractor confirm that they cannot meet the required timescales, you should submit a request to the second ranked contractor.

    The Bigword (ranked first)

    If you are wanting to avail of the services of ‘The Bigword’ you need to request a Client Information Form via email: ukgovaccount@thebigword.com

    Contact: James Toal
    Telephone: 0113 303 5219
    Email: james.toal@thebigword.com

    Language Line Ltd (ranked second)

    If you are wanting to avail of the services of ‘Language Line’ you need to request an OPI Agreement NI Framework form via email: Tom.langley@languageline.co.uk

    Contact: Tom Langley
    Telephone: 0207 715 4572 or 07740 531 394
    Email: Tom.langley@languageline.co.uk

    After you make contact the chosen provider will provide you with a pack that will contain the guidance on the process for requesting an interpreter and a list of language identifiers to help identify the language required.

    The contractor will provide an identity number for each call in the event that clarification is required at a later stage. The contractor must provide a telephone interpretation service by conference facility via any telephone network, including mobile telephone and public telephone boxes.

    Costs and rates for using the service

    Please email the translationhub@communities-ni.gov.uk for pricing information.

    As part of the service you will be provided with information on training staff members on the use of the telephone interpreting services and you will be provided with quick reference guides and language identifiers.

    The Public Service standards of contract, Specifications, Terms and Conditions of Framework, OPI Agreement Framework and Commercial Conditions of contract for this service are available on request. Please contact translationhub@communities-ni.gov.uk

    Related content

    • Department for Communities (DfC) Sign Language Fund
    • Department for Communities (DfC) Sign Language Fund Criteria and Guidance Notes 2025/26
    • Development and use of Ulster-Scots
    • Development of an Irish Language Strategy and an Ulster-Scots Language, Heritage and Culture Strategy
    • Face to face and video interpreting services
    • Framework for interpretation, translation and transcription services
    • Gaeltacht Quarter and Irish language Broadcast Fund
    • Irish and Ulster-Scots central translation hub for the public sector
    • Líofa
    • Sign language and lip speaking
    • Sign Language COVID-19 Support Fund
    • Sign Language Legislation
    • Translation and transcription services
    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Department footer links

    • Crown copyright
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy
    • Cookies
    • Accessibility
    • The Northern Ireland Executive
    • The Executive Office
    • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
    • Department for Communities
    • Department for Education
    • Department for the Economy
    • Department of Finance
    • Department for Infrastructure
    • Department for Health
    • Department of Justice
    • nidirect.gov.uk — the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens