Overview
This article titled "Self-Service Support for Translators" summarizes what is required to attend a session as a simultaneous or consecutive translator. How to log into a session as a Translator. As well as how to use a telephone in the meeting room if required. We will also provide a brief guide on the meeting room functions available to translators.
Self-Service Support for Translators
Translators are required to:
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Have a Discuss.io account
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Join using the unique translator link: https://app.discuss.io/######/t
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Join using the latest version of Chrome from a laptop or desktop computer
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Wear earbuds with a microphone to optimize audio and avoid feedback or echo
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Have a tech check to ensure these devices are working properly
Simultaneous translators
Listen to the main room and then interpret into a separate audio stream for observers to hear. This stream also gets recorded into the archive. Observers have the choice to listen to the main room or the interpretation.
Consecutive translators
Join the main meeting room with a fully functioning camera and microphone options. Observers can listen only to the main meeting room.
Selecting Audio Settings
When joining the platform, the default setting is computer audio. You can select your input device from the dropdown list.
You can test that your device is working by speaking and ensuring the triangle next to the device lights up pink when it detects your voice:
If at any time you have audio, video, or connection issues, you can refresh your own browser. If that doesn't resolve the issue, ask the moderator to reset your connection using the refresh button in the participant list.
If your computer audio becomes unmanageable, you can dial yourself in using the device settings gear button in the lower right corner.
Speaking into the Translation Line by Phone
The meeting room works best with computer audio for both hearing the main room and speaking into the translation line. If you choose to switch yourself to a phone, you will only be switching the translation line, where you are speaking, from computer to phone audio. You will continue to hear the main room via computer audio.
Switch Audio Settings from Computer to Phone by clicking on Phone.
Enter your phone number and wait for a call from Discuss.io (866-557-6716). If the call is missed, you can click RETRY to dial out to yourself again. Enter the PIN number shown when prompted. You will now be joined to the meeting using your phone's handset. You will use the handset as your microphone while listening to the audio from your computer.
If this method does not work, select the option to call in by clicking on Show dial-in instructions... and choose your country. You can then dial in from your handset and enter the room PIN.
Hearing the Main Room by Phone
If you need to listen to the main room by phone, the moderator or technical support will have to dial you in as a phone-only user in the observer role. In this scenario, you will still be speaking your translation via computer audio, and you will need to mute your computer output because you will still be connected to the main room on computer audio as well. Do not mute your microphone on the computer because this will mute your translation and observers will not hear you.
Using Phone for Both the Main Room and Translation Line
The only way to use phones for both the main room and the translation line is to have 2 phones. Using the same method outlined above for "hearing the main room by phone," the moderator or support can dial you in to hear the main room audio. You could then switch your audio to your phone via the Settings cog in the meeting room to switch your translation audio to your phone handset. This method is NOT RECOMMENDED.
Please note that there must be a computer session connected to the translation line in order to record the translated audio. If a translator connects via 2 phones rather than web audio, they or someone on their team must still be in the meeting room in the translator role, even if they are muted. If the system does not detect a web session in the translated room, the translation will not be recorded into the final video archive.
Live Meeting Room Functions
Translators have control over their microphones and consecutive translators have control over their cameras. You can turn them off or on at will.
Simultaneous translators have a button that allows them to speak directly to the moderator or respondent in the main meeting room by clicking and holding the Push to Talk to Meeting button, located in the lower-left corner:
You can also select your input devices before entering the meeting room or during the meeting by selecting the settings button from the lower right corner.
Translators can use public, backroom, and private chat, as well.