Iowa Council for International Understanding
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ICIU is Iowa's premier translation and interpretation service in the state of Iowa and has offered its services to businesses, schools, organizations and individuals through a network of more than 100 interpreters and translators specializing in more than 40 languages and dialects for over 30 years. ICIU's network of interpreters and translators are thoroughly screened and adhere to signed to codes of conduct and confidentiality. More than this, over 90 percent of ICIU's interpreters and translators are native speakers, ensuring that interpreters possess the important cultural knowledge and skills to assist in crossing both linguistic and cultural barriers. Many of our interpreters countinue to participate in a variety of training programs (click here for recent training program details), and all are well-prepared to provide high-quality interpretation in many settings.

Unfamiliar with working with interpreters? Click here for 10 tips to maximize everyone's benefit when using an interpreter.

Whether you need an interpreter in court, the classroom, at the doctor’s office, in the workplace, or have other language related needs, ICIU’s interpreters are ready to help you overcome language barriers. Our interpreters have experience in the following types of interpretation:

  • Depositions
  • Arbitrations
  • Trials
  • Hearings
  • Medical Appointments
  • Immigration Meetings
  • Parent-Teacher Meetings
  • Business Meetings
  • Employee Training Sessions

 

Languages

   Aku/Crio Amharic Arabic Bosnian Bulgarian
   Chinese (Cantonese) Chinese (Mandarin) Dutch Filipino French
   German Hindi Hungarian Italian Japanese
   Jolakassa Korean Krahn Laotian Mandingo
   Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Somali
   Serbo-Croatian Spanish Sudanese (Dinka) Swahili Swedish
   Tai Dam Tigrinya Turkish Ukrainian Urdu
   Vietnamese Wolof      

 

 

 

 

 

Rates

For interpretation services, the average hourly fee is $55 - $75 depending upon language, technicality of subject matter, and urgency. There is a minimum charge of one hour. Beyond the first hour we bill by quarter hours. Billable charges begin at the time the interpreter was requested to be available. There may be an additional charge if a request is made less than 72 hours prior to need.

These rates apply to assignments anywhere in the state of Iowa. For assignments in the Des Moines area (when the interpreter lives in the Des Moines area), we do not charge for travel time or mileage. For assignments outside the Des Moines area (when the interpreter lives in the Des Moines area), there are additional hourly charges for travel time at 80% of the hourly interpreting rate and $.375 per mile from door to door.


Submit an Order for an Interpreter

Call us at (515) 282-8269 x 16 to submit and order for an interpreter, or email Stephanie Hingtgen at stephanie.hingtgen@iciu.org.

 

Please note that for last minute requests (less than 72 hours), it is recommended that you also contact us by phone to expedite your request. Our phone number is 515-282-8269, x16.

Reserving a Time:
In selecting the length of time you need to reserve your interpreter, please keep in mind that we will only block the amount of time for which you request the interpreter. It is always a good policy to reserve for a longer period of time if there is a reasonable chance your needs for these services will extend beyond the expected amount of time.

Also, as a professional courtesy, the interpreter will show up at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled request.

 

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