The Pros and Cons of Using a Language Translation Device

Employing thousands, and sometimes hundreds of thousands, of frontline workers makes industrial facilities and enterprises some of the most diverse workplaces. Out in the field, communication and collaboration are already vital to your overall success, but additional diversity makes it even more important in today’s global workforce.

With the recent surge in language translation devices and technology, enterprises have begun using these to overcome language barriers taking place in their work sites. But not every device is made the same. These devices come with obvious benefits to your enterprise, but some also come with their own downfalls. Explore the pros and cons of using your main communication device as a language translation device here.

Pro: Overcomes Communication Barriers

The whole point of a language translation device is to help you overcome language barriers on-site. 40% of the world only speaks one language fluently, so as enterprises expand globally, these differences in language eventually impact productivity and overall business operations. A handheld language translation device overcomes the linguistic gap between any of your workers, especially when they work together closely or in the same facility.

Con: Limited Language Capacity

Some language translation devices are limited to single words or phrases, while others only offer a select few languages to translate between. It depends on the model, but in the workplace, these types of devices can become more of a hindrance than a benefit. At weavix™, our translation solutions build a truly connected workforce.

Our walt™ Smart Radio supports all available languages to ensure every worker is accounted for. The language translation devices not including every language aren’t suitable for many enterprises, especially those with a global workforce or facilities in various places around the world. These devices are built to overcome language barriers, and weavix™ ensures that we do that, no matter what languages are involved.

Pro: Convenience

In an industrial facility, workers already carry around enough devices for various purposes. While language translation devices are normally small and handheld, adding another device solely for language translation seems like overkill. That’s why weavix™ included our language translation services in our smart radios. We know your workers are already using them daily to communicate, and now it’s just an added capability in their digital toolbelt.

Con: Inconsistent Level of Accuracy

The worst reaction someone can have to a language translation device is, “that’s not right.” Having variable accuracy can cause major issues to an entire project, depending on the severity and importance of what was translated. It also makes your workers, executives and even yourself uncomfortable using the device, especially if there’s no way to verify what’s being translated is accurate.

Rather than constantly worrying if your language translation is accurate and makes sense, use weavix™. Our language translations perform throughout your entire workforce with an accuracy rate of 85% or higher. You’re relying on these devices to overcome communication barriers within your facility, and our complete collaboration suite does so with more accuracy and reliability than many other language translation devices.

Pro: Improves Safety

Any safety professional’s top priority is for their frontline crews to reach muster during an emergency. Regardless of their preferred or native language, your language translation device should support all workers in getting to safety in your facility. With the ability to instantly send mass alerts, weavix™ automatically translates all the relevant safety information to drastically improve safety initiatives on-site.

Con: Costly Devices

Cost is always a factor when deploying new technology throughout your enterprise. While it depends on the model, functionality and quantity you’re needing, the cost of a language translation device varies greatly. Text-to-speech transcription devices, for example, can range in price between $60 and $200 each. For speech-to-speech translators, they can cost close to $1000 per device. There are also additional costs not included, like replacement batteries or maintenance that can greatly increase your overall investment over time.

At weavix™, we are a big advocate for giving every worker a smart radio. They are instrumental to the overall production of an industrial facility. And we don’t let price get in the way of connecting every worker. Our walt™ smart radios provide accurate, premium language translation capabilities, and we never charge you for the device or any repairs.

Pro: Builds Strong Relationships with Crews

Some frontline workers feel isolated, oftentimes due to the nature of their job. But this feeling grows when there’s a language barrier between a worker or two and the rest of the crew. It can quickly divide your workforce or lead to higher turnover. Instead, a language translation device can reinforce strong relationships among frontline workers. As a result, your workers can hold each other more accountable for their responsibilities and lead to an increase in overall productivity across your whole enterprise.

When choosing a language translation device, you need one that fits your worker’s needs and your enterprise’s goals. weavix™ is that balance. With language translation capabilities as only part of our full digital collaboration suite, all wrapped up in our walt™ smart radio, we provide an advanced, comprehensive solution for your workers and your enterprise, without hassle.

To see our language translation capabilities and more, schedule a demo and get started today.