Language translation device introduced by Edinburgh Airport

Credit: Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) has announced the introduction of a new device, Pocketalk, that provides the airport’s security area with the ability to translate speech into 74 different languages in a bid to help international passengers.

Edinburgh Airport’s CEO, Gordon Dewar, said: “We’re an international airport in a city and country known for its diversity, its inclusiveness and its welcoming nature, and we want to make passengers feel at home at the airport. The security process is one of the most important as we need to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff, so it’s vital that we have the ability to clearly explain the process and help people understand so we can make that process as positive as possible.”

The aim of the new service is to make the security process easier and quicker for international passengers by breaking down language barriers; helping all involved to better understand each other.

Staff and passengers are required to speak into the device, and then the translation is played through a speaker or displayed on screen for the other person in the interaction to read or listen to.

The technology will be used daily, helping any native speakers working within the security teams who currently help with translations. Other passenger-facing teams across Edinburgh’s terminal will soon be able to benefit from the same device.

Dewar continued: “We’re lucky to have native speakers within our teams – Pocketalk will enhance our ability to talk to those people who come from all over the world to visit Edinburgh and Scotland.”

Tomoaki Kojima, Managing Director of Sourcenext (the makers of Pocketalk), said: “Pocketalk was developed to connect cultures and create experiences for people that do not speak the same language. With 95 per cent market share and over 600,000 users we hope to redefine the translation space. We are proud to be partnering with Edinburgh Airport to improve their passenger experience and look forward to developing this partnership in 2020.”