Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, instead of team meetings in the office or on-site customer meetings, one video conference now follows the next. More than one in two Germans now regularly use video telephony, allowing them to forget about social distancing rules for a while. But do you know the feeling when a call is pending – especially in another language – and you ask yourself: will I be able to understand the person I’m talking to? One well-known tool, Microsoft Teams, has enabled real-time subtitles for some time now, but so far they are only available in English. Some platforms do not translate what is said, but only display which language is being spoken. This is now set to gradually change. In summer, six other languages are set to be added to Microsoft Teams, including German.
Google Meet also lets you show subtitles in real time via language-to-text technology. In addition to English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish are possible. Skype Translator can translate conversations into eleven languages. However, the translations are still rather clumsy. A machine translation simply cannot compete with a human one. These tools are not able to recognize nuances, irony or voice changes that reflect a subtle opinion.
Zoom therefore takes a different approach: users who wish to have interpreters participate in their meetings are able to make use of a special option that allows them to access their own audio channels. Participants then select an audio channel in order to listen to the language of their choice: either just the interpreted audio, or also with the original sound at a slightly lower volume if desired.
But what aspects should you pay special attention to during international video meetings? As language and translation experts, we at ACT Translations have put together some useful tips.
1. Identify the right translation option for your needs!
Even though the various translation options offered by video conferencing solutions can be incredibly handy, users should be aware of their limitations. For example, they are prone to translation errors or inaccuracies that can have a negative impact, especially on business meetings. Video conferencing solutions fail to recognize puns or hidden messages, to name just a few potential hurdles. In addition, when a video conference is recorded, the live subtitles are not included. Therefore, the use of such tools needs to be carefully considered.
2. Make sure you plan well!
As with a normal meeting, it is helpful to have a clear plan of what you want to discuss during video calls. If other members of your team are attending the meeting, they must be given enough time to prepare. If you plan to book an interpreter for the video conference, you should also inform them in advance about the topic and provide background information so that they can adequately prepare for the conference.
3. Be punctual!
It’s also important to always arrive on time for your virtual conference and, if it’s your first meeting, take the time to introduce yourself and the other members of your team. Keep these introductions short, however, so you can get straight to the point.
4. Familiarize yourself with the technology!
Virtual conferences can be somewhat difficult to master, especially for first-timers. Therefore, you should be as well prepared as possible. Find a nice, quiet room with good lighting so you are clearly visible in front of the camera. Also: always make sure your technology is working! Try out everything in advance!
5. Be sure to let everyone know when you want to speak!
Do you know that feeling? You say something, but somehow you seem to be constantly interrupting your counterpart in the call without meaning to. Video chats are prone to slight delays, and even if it’s only milliseconds, this sometimes leads to multiple participants talking at the same time. On the one hand, this is awkward, but it can also be seen as rude. Instead, you can briefly raise your hand, post a status emoji, or write in the chat to signal that you want to say something. This helps to give the meeting some structure. At the same time, the other participants in the call get an opportunity to better participate. If you have an interpreter participating in your video meeting, signaling also gives him/her the opportunity to keep up with the speakers.
6. Count on professional translation support!
Unterstützt ein:e Dolmetscher:in ein Video-Meeting, dann tut er oder sie dies in zwei oder mehreren Sprachen nicht persönlich, sondern über eine Live-Übertragung. Über ACT Translations können Sie bereits vor Ihrem Meeting eine:n erfahrene:n Dolmetscher:in mit Branchen-Knowhow vereinbaren und über die Teilnehmenden sowie den Zweck des Meetings briefen.
7. Don’t turn on your microphone unless you’re speaking!
The bubbling coffee machine, the whirring printer, the meowing cat: your microphone picks up all the sounds around you, even those in other rooms. So when you are not speaking, your microphone should be muted.
Do you have any questions about an upcoming video call or need an interpreter for your online meeting?
We would be delighted to help you.
