LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY: ENSURE YOUR EVENT IS WELCOMING FOR ALL
We take such pride in America being a melting pot of a myriad of cultures and people, yet this is a topic that is not discussed as often as it perhaps should be in the events industry. Are you doing everything you can to ensure your event is welcoming to attendees who may not speak English? Needless to say, offering content in an array of different languages is a huge win for event producers, your audience, and even your brand overall. Wizard Studios has been focusing on inclusivity for as long as we’ve been around, and we’ve acquired some helpful tips to ensure language accessibility for all.
Before we dig in, let’s clarify a few things: interpretation is not the same as translation. On a very basic level, translation is in reference to a direct conveyance of a written text, while interpretation focuses on spoken word in real time. In a conference or event setting, you could have translation services offered, much like closed captioning. The alternative is having an interpreter present to ensure that the thoughts and ideas are appropriately captured in how it’s spoken.
Open up the Dialogue
Giving people the opportunity for connection is one of the richest and most fruitful benefits an event can offer. Especially with a motivational or dynamic speaker engaging in meaningful dialogue, an event can leverage language to spark change, alter peoples’ perspectives, and leave attendees inspired. With that understood, it is so important to create the space for a fully interpreted, multilingual dialogue.
We aim for a morally and socially-sound event with every gathering we work on, and the way to do that is making sure the language spoken (or signed) is understood by every individual in attendance. This is where masterful interpreters can come in. Not only do their language skills allow your speakers to be heard, but they give every guest the chance to share their own ideas in a language they're proficient in. It’s a win-win.
Leverage the Experts
Not only do virtual and hybrid events allow attendees to participate from anywhere - they also allow you to leverage experts in their fields from all over the world. This is a wonderful way to not only diversify your vendors and/or speakers, which is undoubtedly better for your organization, your events, your audience, and our world, but it also fosters inclusivity on a very genuine and human level. It allows you to ensure that accessibility finds its way into your event. Secondly, app translators and interpreters allow for highly-trained professionals and language learners to play a role in reaching an audience you may not have ever been able to reach otherwise.
Technology is a Solution
If you’re working on a large global landscape in which your audience may speak a number of different languages, technology that translates or interprets may very well be a suitable solution. Videoconferencing technologies provide the closest approximation to face-to-face interpretation, by allowing interpreters to spend more time interpreting and less time walking and waiting. Perhaps the most universal technology used these days for language translation purposes are apps on mobile devices. Some apps offer automated translations, while others actually provide language services connecting to live interpreters. The important thing is that you’re working hard to ensure every event you produce has the capacity to invite participants to engage in a dialogue that’s most comfortable for them.
We strongly believe that the future of events is rich with opportunities to grow. Ultimate inclusivity, including language, is at the core of Wizard Studios. As an event production company, we’ve been creating solutions that inspire and engage with humanity at the center. If you’re interested in transforming your next event into an extraordinary gathering, abundant with opportunities to better foster inclusivity, be sure to contact Wizard Studios today!