City introduces instant language translation technology

Malden, a city with a large immigrant population, is rolling out a technology that can provide city employees – particularly first responders – with live translation in more than 180 languages.

The service, known as ELSA (Enabling Language Service Anywhere), is available at any time when police and other city personnel encounter a language problem. They use a mobile phone-like device to quickly establish contact with a translator in the appropriate language.

Ron Cochran, Malden’s communications director, said the devices are easy to carry and save time because people don’t need to be brought into the police station for translation services. He said he is looking into obtaining a smartphone app that could potentially give all city workers access to a similar translation service.

The service emerged on the market in the past year, according to Cochran. He said that the system is not perfect. In some instances, the technology can create a speakerphone effect, with some loss of clarity.

Along with expediting the translation process for first responders, the service also provides full transcripts and recordings, which can be useful if needed in court, said Malden Police Captain Glenn Cronin.

The city is renting 10 of the devices, two of which reside with police. The other eight have been distributed among city departments, based on their likelihood of encountering language barriers.

The Salem Police Department has also acquired the ELSA technology.