Churches & Worship
Many times Houses of Worship provide not only basic needs to immigrants and their children, but they also help immigrants integrate into the community. Unfortunately, due to the language barriers, often times they stop attending religious services or look for a service in their own language. More and more Churches around the world have multi-language services as their congregations grow and become culturally diverse, as well as providing several solutions for churchgoers with hearing disabilities.
In that sense, FM technology contributes in many more ways than just break the barriers of language and culture during ceremonies. FM language interpretation and assistive listening systems can be used for Sunday services, during religious holidays, during special events, for youth groups and various ministries, ceremonies and many other occasions.
Due to factors such as globalization and cultural diversity, it’s normal for churches to be visited by people from various nationalities and ethnicities, which necessitates acquiring a simultaneous interpretation system in order to provide the best possible experience for congregants.
It is necessary for the interpreter to hear in real time what the presenter is saying in order to translate it.
Then, the interpreter uses his headset microphone to broadcast the message to listeners that are using adjustable volume headphones or earphones.
If you have multiple languages being translated, then you can get translation systems that will broadcast on different frequencies so one interpreter can translate for a group of people and a different interpreter can translate the second language for another group of people. You can purchase systems that will handle up to 6 separate languages in the same area.
Most churches don’t need a very complex wireless translation system, since they don’t broadcast long distance transmissions or private information, so here are a few things to look for when choosing a translation system for your house of worship.
Unless you need interpretation for more than 6 languages in the same area or your information is extremely confidential, it’s very likely you won't need an infrared system.
Most systems are equipped with a wide range of frequencies to choose from so finding a clear signal is never an issue. Moreover, the price advantage with analog systems makes them a wiser investment for a church.
Usually, most churches that perform services in the same location are better served by a desktop system, which has greater range and is plugged into an AC outlet. Battery-operated portable systems may be required in services or ceremonies in which the pastor or the congregation needs to move around, such as in outdoor baptisms. Both types of systems are very lightweight and can easily be transported in carrying cases.
If you need to translate English into more than one language you will need a transmitter for each language. Multichannel transmitters and receivers are a necessity when dealing with multiple languages, as every foreign language
For houses of worship, we recommend the Enersound TSB system, because on top of its outstanding audio quality and built, it also features a stationary transmitter with interpreter monitor, which allows the interpreter to listen to the pastor through headphones connected to the transmitter. This transmitter also has a large coverage range, which makes it ideal for large sanctuaries.
No, our interpretation systems (like the TSB one) are simple plug-and-play solutions. Just turn on both the transmitter and its compatible receivers, tune them to the same channel and you are ready to go.
You should always make sure that the included transmitter in the system has an FCC ID printed somewhere on the device, usually on a sticker in the back. This is a code given by the FCC to devices that comply with all their requirements for FM capable products. Many cheap systems online lack this, and therefore are illegal to use. We recommend the Enersound bundles, which feature an FCC ID on their transmitters.
Yes, but with multichannel FM transmitters and receivers like the Enersound T-500 and R-120. It’s common nowadays to have congregants attending religious services who may speak a language other than the pastor’s. Sometimes, there might be congregants who speak Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian for example, while the pastor speaks English only. In these cases, you would need to get transmitter for each language to be interpreted into (4 transmitters for the scenario above). Each transmitter will be tuned into a different channel or frequency. And the audience in turn, needs to select the desired channel on their receiver to listen to their language.
Basically, an unlimited number, or as many as you can fit within the transmitter’s coverage range. Stationary transmitters like the T-500 can cover up to 1000 ft. These systems are usually sold in packages with a fixed number of receivers, such as 5, 10, 25, 50, etc., but if after purchasing the system you realize that you need to expand it to reach a larger audience, you can purchase additional receivers without the need to purchase extra transmitters.