This 'Community Language Mediation Platform' is an initiative by volunteers and this application has been developed to cope with the Ukrainian refugee crises in Europe.
Ukrainian and/or Russian speakers – who master at least one other language – translate live over the internet, to assist Ukrainian refugees with their conversations.
These are not professional translators or interpreters, but multi-lingual citizens who act as
'linguistic mediators'
The objective is to assist refugees to meet their essential needs and to fast-track their integration.
This application is available to Government, Aid Organizations and Citizens who have a need to communicate with Ukrainian refugees.
Online Language Support For Ukrainian Refugees
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Volunteers who speak Ukrainian and/or Russian and who master at least one other language, can sign up as online language mediator ('interpreter').
These volunteers can be anywhere in the world, as long as they have access to the internet.
Following their registration (creation of an account), the translators can set their status to 'Available' or 'Not Available'
When the status is set to 'Available' the translators can be called upon for an instant online translation session.
This request is received by email and/or SMS text message. The translator is supposed to respond immediately.
By 'acknowledging' the request, the audio connection is established automatically.
The translator translates (consecutively) between the 2 languages. MANUAL How to use.?
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The users have to create an account in order to use the application.
The user and the refugee are in the same location. The translator is elsewhere.
The laptop (or smartphone) is placed on the table, in between the user and refugee.
The user selects the desired language combination (for instance Ukrainian – English)
The translators who are currently available, appear on the screen, with their first name.
The user selects the translator of choice and clicks the CONNECT button.
If no translator is available at that time, the user selects another language (or waits). MANUAL How to use.?
A laptop (with Chrome browser) or if no laptop available, a smartphone can be used.
An e-mail address is a must.
Possibly a GSM mobile number (used to receive 'notifications')
Good quality internet connection (cable is preferred over wireless)
Quiet environment (avoid ambient noises)
In a professional environment, the firewall may need to be adjusted (talk to your IT). In case dealing with the firewall is too complicated, then use a line with direct access to the internet (i.e. not from within your corporate network)
This online translation service is offered free of charge.
The platform is made available at no cost.
The translators are volunteers and do not receive any compensation for their services.
There are no guarantees when it comes to quality.
It may occur that no translators are available.
The connection may not work at all (due to old equipment, outdated software or bad internet)
The audio quality may be of poor quality.
The translation may be of poor quality.
This application has been created to do what can be done. Without guarantees.
The developers of this platform have taken measures to make this a secure application :
A dedicated signaling server (hosted in the EER) is being used; not used for other applications.
The audio connections are established on a P2P (Peer to Peer ) basis and not via a media-server.
The communication is encrypted.
Nothing is being recorded.
The personal data being used is limited to the minimum : first name, email, mobile number.
This data is retained on the server for as long (or as short) as required for the application.
The user and the translator do have to be aware that a third-party (i.e. an unknown mediator) is listening into the conversation.
Do read the user instructions, sent at time of your registration.
Do check the hardware prior to the session. You can do that by using a free video chat application (Skype, Zoom, Teams, Facetime,..)
Do make sure to use the latest version Operating System (Windows, OSX, Android, iOS) and the most recent version browser (Chrome, Safari)
You may need to grant 'permission to access' the microphone before starting the session.
If you are using WiFi, try to limit the physical distance between your device and the Wifi/ 4G Router/Modem. A cabled connection is preferred over WiFi but it not compulsory.
If you are operating from a professional environment, your firewall may be blocking the application. Talk to your IT. If that is not practical, then you should use a standard internet connection, which does not go over your professional network.
Your anti-virus software may hinder or block the application.
MANUAL
How to use.?