Language translation service now available during Wilmington City Council meetings
The Wilmington City Council is launching a language access service aimed at making government more inclusive for the municipality's multilingual residents. Wordly, an artificial intelligence-powered translation tool, delivers real-time language support in more than 50 languages.
The service is designed to help non-English-speaking residents better follow and participate in local government meetings, addressing long-standing barriers faced by Wilmington's growing immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities.
City Council President Trippi Congo said the decision to adopt the tool came after hearing repeated concerns from residents who felt excluded from public discussions due to language differences. He emphasized that government should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the language they speak at home.
With Wordly, attendees can access live captions or audio translations using their phones, tablets or computers. The tool does not require an app or any special equipment. Users scan a QR code displayed in the Council Chambers and Committee Room, or visit a provided link, select their preferred language, and begin viewing or listening to translated content.
In-person participants will also see Spanish captions displayed on TV monitors inside the chambers, further improving accessibility for Spanish-speaking residents.
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Recordings of meetings will be available with translated captions at WITN22.org, giving residents the flexibility to stay informed even after the live session has ended.
Wilmington becomes one of the first cities in the state to implement a real-time translation system of this kind in its public meetings.
You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Language translation service to help Wilmington residents participate
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