In today’s digitally interconnected world, navigating the vast landscape of information can be challenging, often leading us into filter bubbles where our perspectives become unintentionally limited. Acknowledging the importance of diverse viewpoints in global conversations, it is crucial to break free from these bubbles and actively seek out a multitude of voices. In this blog post, we explore the significance of including diverse perspectives and the role of language interpretation in it, highlighting a real-life example from the Bildungswerk Salzburg’s event on the Russia-Ukraine Information War.
The Filter Bubble Challenge
Filter bubbles, as the term suggests, encapsulate us in a limited sphere of information, providing only partial and often one-sided views. This is amplified by the information warfare that takes place in times of war, particularly the ongoing invasion against Ukraine – characterized by fake news, propaganda and brutal restrictions on press freedom.
The overwhelming volume of global events makes staying completely informed an ambitious endeavor. However, recognizing the limitations of our perspectives is the first step towards achieving a more holistic understanding of the world.
The Language Barrier
Organizations like the Bildungswerk Salzburg play a crucial role in addressing this challenge by organizing events that directly involve individuals affected by global issues. Such events provide a platform for sharing firsthand experiences, contributing to a more nuanced narrative surrounding these complex topics.
However, when attempting to include voices from diverse backgrounds, language can become a significant hurdle. This was evident in the case of a Ukrainian journalist who agreed to share her first hand experiences with the people from Salzburg at one of the events of Bildungswerk Salzburg. Here, the language barrier threatened to limit the impact of her story on the German speaking audience.
The Role of Interpretation Services
To overcome language barriers and facilitate a truly multilingual experience, interpretation services are essential. However, the high costs associated with analogue interpretation equipment often pose a challenge for many organizations. This limitation can result in a lack of diversity in information sources, perpetuating one-sided perspectives.
Breaking Down of Language Barriers
Despite these challenges, Bildungswerk Salzburg was determined to host the event and sought a solution to the language barrier. Luckily, Marlene Klotz, an employee of the organization, discovered LiveVoice, where our mission is to make interpreting services accessible to everyone. Marlene and her colleagues were able to set up everything themselves and make the event happen. In her words:
“Without LiveVoice, we would not have been able to organize our panel discussion on the important topic of the ‘Information War between Russia and Ukraine.’ Given that one of our panel guests was a Ukrainian journalist, we definitely needed simultaneous interpretation. The budget for interpreter equipment would have been beyond our means. The app was easy to use, and we were able to familiarize ourselves with it quickly. We are very happy that we were once again able to make an important contribution to adult education in the city of Salzburg.”
Conclusion
Breaking down language barriers is integral for fostering diverse perspectives in globalized conversations. The commitment of the Bildungswerk Salzburg to ensure that these conversations are enriched by firsthand perspectives represents a significant contribution. By inviting more voices, this initiative challenges potential blind spots that may arise from only hearing one side of the story and we are glad that our platform could contribute to make the event happen.
