Table of Contents

How to Set Up and Use Spoken Language Interpretation in Zoom

Rhianon Gutierrez Updated by Rhianon Gutierrez

See this HelpDoc in Slides form.

Host View

In order to set up a meeting or webinar as a host with Language Interpretation, you must have a Zoom Edu Pro account or a webinar license.

Setup - Before Meeting/Webinar

Check to make sure that you are using the latest version of Zoom to have access all to the latest features.

  1. Go to your Zoom settings at zoom.us/profile/setting. Make sure that language interpretation is switched on (blue) and that you add your desired languages there.
  2. Schedule your meeting/webinar. Check the box (blue) for language interpretation. You may “X” out the interpreter name if you do not yet know it. 
  3. Save your webinar/meeting.
  4. Launch your meeting or webinar.
Quick Check: Do you have all the BPS languages in your menu?
Go to zoom.us/profile/setting. Make sure that you add any missing BPS language there. You must update this in order to assign languages to interpreters during a meeting or webinar.

During Meeting/Webinar

  1. Locate the Interpretation (🌐) icon at the bottom of your screen. Only hosts (not co-hosts) will be able to manage this.
  2. Assign the interpreters - name, original language (English) and interpretation language. Once ready, select Start.
  3. Test the audio with the interpreters by toggling between channels.
  4. If more interpreters need to be added, select Add Interpreter then Update.
  5. Close the window (but do not hit End). To relaunch this window, click on the globe icon and select Manage Language Interpretation.
Zoom allows up to 25 custom languages per meeting/webinar. Custom languages are those added by you. Zoom's default languages are: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian, Korean, and Chinese.

Interpreter View

Setup - Before Meeting/Webinar

Check to make sure that you are using the latest version of Zoom to have access all to the latest features.

During Meeting/Webinar

Look for the prompt that you have been assigned an interpreter. Once confirmed, you should see a switch at the bottom of your screen.

When you click on English, you will be heard in that channel. When you click on the second language that is not English (i.e. German), you will be heard in that channel. The latter channel is where you will be interpreting for the audience.

Please note: interpreters cannot hear each other. They can only hear panelists and attendees/participants.
Don’t see the prompt to interpret?
Check to see if you are running the latest version of Zoom. Sign out of Zoom Meeting or Webinar completely then sign back in.
Having audio issues?
Check to make sure that your microphone is on. Go to the arrow icon near the Mute button to adjust your audio input and output.

Participant View (Zoom Meeting) or Panelist & Attendee View (Zoom Webinar)

Setup - Before Meeting/Webinar

Check to make sure that you are using the latest version of Zoom to have access all to the latest features and language options.

During Meeting/Webinar

  1. Look for the More (three dots) icon at the bottom of your screen. Select Interpretation (🌐) icon.
  1. Check off the language you want to hear. Click “Done” to save it.

How did we do?

How to Set Up Zoom Meetings as a Sub

How to enable live transcript CC in Zoom

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