As Cincinnati begins to host the 2012 World Choir Games, a small army of volunteers is on hand to provide language translation for thousands of international visitors who are expected to attend the event.

While the world’s focus this summer may be on the Olympic Games in London, music lovers are already enjoying the "Olympics of Choral Music" in Cincinnati.

Officially known as the World Choir Games, the international singing competition features hundreds of choirs from around the world. This year the event is being held in Cincinnati, Ohio, making it the first time the competition will be hosted in the United States.

For over a decade, the World Choir Games have brought together people from around the world through the power of song and in the spirit of friendly competition. Throughout the event’s history, more than 2,000 choirs have participated in competitions across Europe and Asia, according to the World Choir Games website.

“Our goal is to make sure these people have a good time,” Cincinnati USA Sister Cities Association President Bob Stevie told volunteers. The Association created a base of language translators, some of which are traveling thousands of miles to Cincinnati in order to help, at their own expense.

“You’re the ones (who are) going to be in contact with these choirs. You’re going to be the ones telling them what’s available in the city. You’re going to get the questions, and it’s your knowledge of the city that’s the most important part of this whole piece,” Stevie said.

“As I’ve said a hundred times, when they leave here we want them to feel they’ve had a hug instead of a handshake. They’re going to go back and send their friends, make friends here and come back themselves,” he concluded.

Now that’s what I would call promoting friendly international relations.

Alex Dupont

See Also

• More about language translation
  An accurate professional translation can save a patient's life, win a bid, or persuade a shopper to buy your product.
• More about language interpreting
  Language Interpreting is the process of translating spoken words from one language into another.
• Found in Translation by Jac Kern
  Preparing to host international visitors has been a labor of love.
• The Olympics Of Choral Music Come To Cincinnati by Cheri Lawson
  This summer, while athletes prepare for the Olympic Games in London, music lovers are getting ready for the Olympics of Choral Music.
• World Choir Games website
  The World Choir Games is the Olympics of choral music. For over a decade, the Games have united people from around the world through the power of song and in the spirit of friendly competition.
• Cincinnati USA Sister Cities Association website
  The Cincinnati USA Sister City Association acts as a liaison between the Office of the Mayor, City Hall and Cincinnati?s Sister City organizations, and is a resource for implementing programs and exchanges.