Consecutive Interpreting Services

For Boston Gives Back

Boston, MA: On December 21st, 2024, Language Connections had the privilege of providing consecutive interpreting services for the Boston Gives Back event at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building. Organized in collaboration with the City of Boston and led by the incredible efforts of Susan McCollin and Larisa Castellon Melara, this community event was a heartwarming family celebration filled with activities including pictures with Santa, face painting, and gift giving.

Our Innovative Consecutive Interpreting Services

Navigating the multilingual needs of an event in a highly dynamic setting can be challenging. With three languages being spoken among attendees and no designated equipment as would be required for simultaneous interpreting services, our team of 10 interpreters had to rely entirely on consecutive interpreting, which meant working directly with families and participants in real-time, rather than from a fixed location. This required exceptional adaptability, as interpreters moved between multiple stores at the event location, shifting between languages and assisting wherever they were needed most. Our on-site project manager played a critical role in coordinating the interpreters and guaranteeing language access for all attendees.

The second challenge was ensuring that every interaction remained personal and effective despite the fast pace of the event. Unlike structured conferences where interpreting follows a set schedule, this event required interpreters to think on their feet. Whether it was guiding families through various activities, clarifying event logistics or ensuring that every child received their gifts, our team had to seamlessly integrate into the event’s flow. With children and parents engaged in different activities across multiple rooms, our interpreters had to be both proactive and patient, ensuring that no one was left out.

The Result

Despite these challenges, Language Connections successfully made Boston Gives Back a fully inclusive event. We are proud to have played a role in such an impactful initiative, bringing people together through the power of language. A special thank you goes out to our dedicated team of interpreters as well as our project management staff, whose exceptional work ensured that language never stood in the way of full enjoyment of the event. We can’t wait for the next Boston Gives Back and look forward to continuing our mission of making community events accessible to all.