University Hospital to use new translation software for WCG

University Hospital will experiment with cutting edge technology at the World Choir Games.

The hospital trained staff members Friday on new software that will help them in the event of medical problems.

It will help communicate with patients who don't speak English.

The application translates basic medical questions like "Where does it hurt?" into the patient's native written language.

It transmits the answers back to the hospital in real time for evaluation.

"This going to help us narrow down, in the scope of their medical need, in their own language, until we can get a live interpreter present for them," said Director of Interpreter Services for University Hospital Sheila Maxwell.

The $500 devices are a pilot project of the hospital.

The software was designed by Vocalink.

If it performs as hoped, administrators will look at making the technology a permanent addition to their medical tools.