What It’s Like to Have Multilingual Conversations During COVID-19

Staying Connected Across Languages and Cultures

The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many people, but especially challenging for those who primarily speak languages other than English. With social distancing measures in place, multilingual families and communities have had to adapt how they connect and support one another.

Overcoming Language Barriers Virtually

While technology has enabled many of us to stay in touch during quarantine, those language barriers can still feel isolating. Thankfully, creative solutions are helping bridge that gap:

Video calls with live interpretation or captions
Online multilingual support groups and events
Translated public health information
Bilingual books, games, and activities for kids

Focusing on Shared Experiences

Even without a common tongue, people worldwide understand the shared struggles we’re all facing now. And we can connect through common experiences like:

Adapting cultural traditions for the digital age
Finding comfort in family recipes
Appreciating healthcare and other essential workers
Supporting local small businesses
Balancing work, parenting, and online schooling

Celebrating Multicultural Perspectives

This global crisis highlights how diversity strengthens our communities. We can honor multicultural voices by:

Sharing stories across cultures
Learning phrases in different languages
Enjoying arts and media from other traditions
Donating to nonprofits serving immigrant populations

Looking with Hope Toward the Future

While uncertain times may test us, they also reveal our shared humanity. We must sustain connections now to emerge stronger, wiser, and more unified.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can technology help bridge language barriers during the pandemic?

Services like video calls with live captioning/interpretation, online multilingual groups and events, translated health information, and bilingual ebooks/games for kids can all help people stay connected across languages virtually.

What kind of shared experiences can bring people together despite language differences?

People worldwide relate to struggles like adapting traditions for digital life, comforting family recipes, appreciating essential workers, supporting local businesses, and balancing responsibilities – we can connect through these common experiences.

Why is honoring multicultural voices important during this crisis?

Diversity strengthens communities in difficult times. We can celebrate global perspectives by exchanging stories, learning new languages, enjoying cross-cultural arts/media, and supporting nonprofits serving immigrant groups.

How can we stay unified as a community during such uncertain times?

This crisis reveals our shared humanity despite differences. By sustaining connections now – even virtually across languages – we can emerge wiser, stronger, and more unified as a community.

What are some small ways people can bridge language and cultural gaps during the pandemic?

Small things like learning greetings in different languages, reading books/watching films from other cultures, trying new comfort food recipes from around the world, and donating to help immigrant/multicultural communities all help bring people closer despite distance and differences.