Glossary

Plain-language definitions.

Every word a hospital scheduler, court clerk, or new interpreter runs into the first month. Without the consultant-speak.

A

ASL interpreting (American Sign Language)

Interpretation between American Sign Language and English (or, occasionally, between ASL and a third spoken language). ASL is a distinct natural language with its own grammar and syntax, not a manual encoding of English. ASL interpreters typically hold RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) certifications and are subject to a separate regulatory and professional framework than spoken-language interpreters.
Attestation (session attestation)

The written confirmation, after a session ends, by both the interpreter and the requesting party that the session occurred, for the duration billed, in the modality booked. The audit-trail record that turns a scheduled session into a billable one.

B

BAA (Business Associate Agreement)

A HIPAA-required contract between a covered entity (typically a healthcare organization) and a business associate (a vendor that handles protected health information on behalf of the covered entity). For interpreter services, a BAA is required whenever the interpretation vendor stores, processes, or transmits PHI, including session recordings, transcripts, or scheduling data with patient identifiers.

L

LEP (Limited English Proficient)

A person whose primary language is not English and who has a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. The federal regulatory category that triggers language-access obligations under Title VI, Section 1557, and most state-level civil rights laws. LEP status is self-identified, not adjudicated.

M

Modality

The delivery channel for an interpreted session. Lingfaro focuses on on-site interpreting — an interpreter physically present with the patient, attorney, student, or client — including American Sign Language on-site. On-site is the highest-fidelity modality, and a good match still depends on language, dialect, specialty, and credentials.

N

Net-30 (institutional billing)

A payment term meaning the invoice is due 30 days from the invoice date. Standard for institutional buyers (hospitals, courts, school districts, government agencies) who cannot pay at point of service due to procurement, AP, and audit-trail requirements. Interpreters and language-service vendors working with institutional buyers should expect net-30 as the floor and net-45 or net-60 as not uncommon.

O

On-site interpretation

An interpreter physically present with the patient, attorney, student, or client. The highest-fidelity modality and the only modality appropriate for sensitive testimony, mental-health evaluations, and most school-system IEP meetings.

S

Section 1557

The non-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (2010), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in any health program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. For language access, Section 1557 operationalizes Title VI's requirements with explicit standards for qualified interpreters, notice of availability, and taglines.

T