Company History

From Charitable Organisation to the Largest Interpreting Company in the World

Language Line Services UK is part of the worldwide Language Line Services group with headquarters in California. The UK arm was first established as a charitable project in April 1990 by the late Lord Young of Dartington (founder of the Open University and the Consumers' Association).

Telephone Interpreting was developed as an innovative solution to enable organisations to communicate effectively with everyone, whatever their language. Initially covering just four languages, Language Line was first set up to enable communication between patients and staff at the Royal London Hospital in East London. The local police on the Isle of Dogs then requested 24 hours a day coverage in 16 languages.

Language Line Services’ Telephone Interpreting and Translation Services grew rapidly throughout the 1990s, and the company is now part of the largest Interpreting company worldwide providing 170 languages. Backed by $2 billion-strong ABRY Partners, you can rely on Language Line Services to provide the highest quality Interpreters and translators for you and your clients at any time.

For more information on how Language Line Services can help you to communicate successfully, please call us on 0800 169 2879.