Language Services is responsible for providing accurate, timely and complete translation and interpretation services to all eligible clients at key official games venues during the 2008-2009 operational period of World Winter Games, at test events, and during the period of planning for the games.

Language Services is also responsible for translating games publications, signage and website content. Translation services are offered in Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Braille services for the sight-impaired. Translation Services are offered for other languages upon the mutual agreement of Special Olympics International and the Games Organizing Committee.

Language Services also provides interpretation services during the games and prior to the event. Simultaneous interpretation (occurring while the source language speaker speaks, as quickly as the interpreter can formulate the spoken message to the target language) and consecutive interpretation (when the interpreter speaks after the source-language speaker has finished speaking, either entirely or in section) are provided in the same six languages translating services aide in.

Interpretation services provide simultaneous interpretation at events such as head of delegation meetings, press conferences, other conferences and symposia. Consecutive interpretation will be available during all health and safety matters at venue medical facilities or security stations, all venue informational and directional signage, especially involving health and safety, all emergency public address announcements at venues, and for international officials, Special Olympics International staff and International Global Messengers.

If you have translation services to offer, either for printed materials or in person, please send your contact information to languageservices@2009WorldGames.org.