- Glossary
- Multilingual
"Multilingual is a term that you will hear frequently, especially in today's world. If you have attended an international event or addressed an audience of people speaking different languages, multilingual capabilities would be extremely valuable."
The word multilingual entails communication proficiency in multiple languages. In events, this may refer to information, support, and resources in several different languages—just about enough to handle your attendees' linguistic diversity.
As multilingual support continues to improve, it becomes an important component in ensuring that events are inclusive and enhancing the experience of the participants. For that reason, the following are ways in which multilingual support enables events:
Inclusive Communication: Multilingual services ensure that all attendees have access to information and resources in their preferred language. This means that the event is designed to be inclusive and welcoming, allowing many people to participate.
Translation Services: These may be available at international events to assist speakers and attendees in communicating across language barriers. This could include live translations of presentations, translations of materials, or multilingual staff.
Multilingual Signage: Many events have signs in different languages to guide attendees and provide pertinent information. This helps everyone find their way around the venue and stay informed about schedules, sessions, and more.
Language-Specific Sessions: Offering sessions or workshops in different languages makes events more accessible and engaging for a diverse audience. It allows attendees to interact with content in their native language, improving their overall experience.
Following are some of the merits of multilingual support during an event:
Improved Accessibility: Multilingual capability ensures that language becomes no obstacle to the fullest participation of an attendee. The very fact contributes to an inclusive atmosphere for the event itself.
Better Engagement: The ability to access information and interact in their own language adds to the probability that attendees will be more engaged with the event content and actively participate.
Broader Reach: With multilingual support, events can reach out and engage a more varied audience, thereby increasing their reach and global impact.
Pre-Event Planning and Preparation: Prepare materials in multiple languages, which should include translation of event programs, signage, and promotional materials. Consider the languages spoken by your target audience and arrange for appropriate translation services.
During the Event: Allow for multilingual support through translation services, multilingual staff, and making materials accessible. Make sure to communicate, also, on how one might access language-specific resources.
After the Event: Following an event, solicit feedback on the effectiveness of multilingual support, to help identify areas for better improvement. Such comments can also be used to further improve language service support during future events.
Management is the process of getting the work or task done efficiently and effectively. In the world of events, management forms the backbone of successful planning.