Language Interpretation for General Conference

An hour before each session of general conference, hundreds of language specialists gather in a large room to put the polishing touches on the conference addresses that have been translated and will be interpreted into one of 103 languages.

Once conference begins, they get one chance. It must be good, and it must be good the first time. Effective interpretation requires cadence, inflection, clear articulation, and language proficiency, while conveying the emotion and intent of the speaker at the pulpit in the same spirit that the message was created.

More than 800 native speakers and returned missionaries interpreted portions of this general conference. About half delivered the messages from Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, while the other half delivered their interpretations from their native countries. Some also participate in the translation of conference addresses in the weeks prior to general conference.

During the broadcast, interpreters, usually working in teams of four to six per session, read each message in a sound-dampened booth in the Church Office Building or in designated locations around the world. Wearing headsets to hear the proceedings in English, interpreters watch a monitor to time their interpretation with the speaker. Interpreters must keep two conversations—in different languages—going at the same time in their heads.

Interpreter Jonas Prasad says Hindi-speaking Church members in Fiji are eager to hear the prophets in their language. Describing one sister, he said, “For years, the only Church meetings available to her were held in English. Though she didn’t speak a word, she came and sat quietly just to feel the Spirit. Now she thrills to hear the gospel in her language.”