Language Problems

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 12, 3 October 1930, Page 6

Language Problems

An Electric Interpreter. \HE language difficulty at interna‘tional conferences such as the .eague of Nations is a difficult one. .t has to some extent been solved by rhe use of interpreters who translate che speeches and present them in writing to the various delegates. Obviously it is impossible to handle a multiplicity of languages, so that English, French, and German are made the official languages. Radio and electricity have now come to the aid of these meetings, and a novel and useful scheme has been developed whereby the delegates can hear the interpretation of the speech as it is in progress. The interpreters are seated near a rostrum from which the speeches are made, and are equipped with microphones fitted to amplifiers. These lead into phones which are placed at the disposal of the delegates. As the speeches are being made they are .translated and immediately reach those equipped .with phones. There are several interpreters, and any of the authorised version can be had by merely selecting the phones. Hach equipment is provided with volume control and switch. The interpreter’s microphones are duplicated so that one man can replace another without causing a break in the translation. On the wall at the back of the rostrum an illuminated sign automatically indicates the language being translated at the moment, The system was found to work admirably in a recent try-out. It naturally taxed the skill of the interpreters, though in many instances they had written versions of the addresses before them. The saving in time was very great indeed, and it was found that having no pauses for translation was a distinct gain in other respects.