Breaking Language Barriers
What equipment do we use to interpret simultaneously?
Picture this:
You enter an event space. Out of nowhere, an interpreter hands you a magical futuristic device. After some easy instructions, you are now able to listen and understand someone speaking in a language you are not familiar with. Before even realizing it, you are having a conversation directly with someone, each of you speaking in your own language. There are no interruptions or distractions with the person doing the interpretation. It is just you and a new friend you made, no language barriers to be seen.
Cenzontle owns enough interpretation equipment for up to 100 people.This means that you don’t have to worry about renting or buying equipment when you hire us. How nice is that? Our services are in both English and Spanish - we are not only interpreting into Spanish. All participants who are not bilingual in Spanish and English will be receiving a device. This will be your introduction to “the bug”.
The what? The “bugs” are the equipment participants will be holding on to listen to the interpretation. You can see it in the image above. The only thing you have to worry about is adjusting the volume with the wheel on the side. The channel will already be set for you. We give detailed instructions at the beginning of every event/meeting.
These bugs have their own wants and needs. It really wants to be far away from your phone, and it needs to be returned when the event is over. It would love to be treated with love and care!
During the event:
The interpreters will be speaking through our microphone and using a transmitter. We are interpreting simultaneously, so please don’t ask us questions while we are on the mic! At the event: if you have any questions, or are having bug issues, please see the interpreter who is NOT on the mic.
It may be a learning curve to use simultaneous interpretation equipment for the first time. You will probably find yourself with your bug turned off, because someone is speaking your language. Suddenly, someone speaks a different language, and you find yourself delayed with turning your bug back on. But that is okay! The more you use it, and the more events you attend with language justice interpreters, the more it will become second nature to you.
To summarize:
You get the equipment from us. You turn it on and adjust the volume using the wheel. You turn it down, or take the headset off if the language being spoken is the language you understand. Finally, make sure to return it. That’s it! You participated in a multilingual space! We always love feedback. Tell us how it went! Was the sound or volume good? Was there anything that we could improve?
Now onto the virtual world.
As you know, we are just as great for your virtual meetings. Even though you will miss meeting the “bugs”, you can have simultaneous interpretation in your other meetings as well. We prefer to work through Zoom, but we are open to other programs that have incorporated interpretation.
Your To Do list to create a virtual multilingual space:
Have a Pro, Business, Education or Enterprise Zoom account that allows interpretation.
Create a new meeting link and activate interpretation.
Meet with interpreters on the link 15 minutes before your meetings and assign us on the Spanish<>English channels.
Have a great multilingual meeting!
Remember that language justice goes beyond hiring interpreters and equipment. Let’s create multilingual spaces together. We are here for you! We have an amazing coordinator that will also guide you through this entire process, both in English and Spanish. So what are you waiting for? Start offering interpretation to your events and meetings!
