Technology
can do so much these days, even speak another language.
That
can be critical at a facility such as an airport.
That’s
why the Transportation Security Administration is experimenting with a hand-held
device that will translate
other languages for people who do not speak English.
The
tests are being conducted at Philadelphia International Airport.
The
experiment is expected to make things quicker and smoother during the airport
check-in process. That is especially true for security lines, which can be long
and cumbersome at times.
TSA will now be able to translate messages and instructions to passengers in
their native language.
TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said messages will also appear on
a screen for travelers to read if they are deaf or have a hard time hearing.
"There is a library of 83 languages that this can be used in.
I think that's important too—we're not just picking common language,"
Farbstein said.
So, while the basic French or Spanish that you learned in high
school will be available, so too will such little-known languages like Creole.
Another key experiment is also taking place.
Employees working inside the airport will start wearing badges
that list the languages they speak in addition to English.
TSA recently began trialing new self-security check protocols at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport.
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