By Joy Simmons
No matter where the Olympics take place, they always attract a spectrum of people who speak all sorts of languages. BYU is ready to offer Olympic visitors a taste of home by speaking to them in their native tongue.
Nearly three fourths of BYU''s student body speak more than one language. Dr. William Eggington, a linguistics professor at BYU, is taking advantage of the University''s language capability.
He is responsible for forming BYU''s Language Resource Center. Students, on a volunteer basis, will provide emergency translating and interpreting for foreign media and anyone else who may be in need of language services during the Olympics.
'We have this incredible language resource that''s unique to the world,' said Dr. Eggington. 'Here''s an opportunity to show the world that we have this resource and this multi-lingual capability.'
Dr. Eggington said they will be the language resource for the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command.
If an emergency breaks at the Olympic sights or anywhere on the Wasatch Front involving interpreting, the command offices have the option to call a central number at BYU. They will then be connected to someone who speaks the language they need.
Students will carry cell phones and will be on call in case of an emergency. Dr. Eggington said if a foreign television or newspaper crew comes to town in need of translating, they can host them in their language.
'We have no idea how much we''re going to be used but we''re ready if we''re asked to provide the service,' Dr. Eggington said.
Dr. Eggington said the Language Resource Center is relying mostly on teachers at the Missionary Training Center for the emergency service. He said these teachers have maintained their language at a high level and they will not be going anywhere because they work at the MTC.
Other students are encouraged, if they speak a language besides English, to wear a pin telling people what language they speak. Then they can offer their services wherever they are needed.
Throughout the games, BYU and University of Utah students will offer translating services to the Salt Lake Tribune.
The paper wants to know what foreign papers are saying about Utah. Students will be reading foreign newspapers and translating anything of interest for the Tribune''s journalists, Dr. Eggington said.
Dr. Eggington said they decided not to be too assertive in promoting BYU''s Language Resource Center. He said it will be accessible, and if someone wants to use it, all they have to do is ask.
Dr. Eggington is a language planner, which means he looks at language-related problems and opportunities in the society and tries to develop approaches to address them.
He developed language services for the Atlanta, Sydney and Nagano Games. He said that is how he got involved with BYU''s Olympic Task Force.
'I''m hoping that every country that is here is going to be sending a story back that this is a special place,' Dr. Eggington said. 'It''s not just great mountains and snow. There''s something special here linguistically.'
'I''m really excited to help because the Russians were really kind to me,' said Jill Wright, 24, a senior from Houston, Texas, majoring in philosophy.
Wright served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia.
'I want them to feel welcome here,' Wright said.
She signed up with BYU''s Language Resource Center because she thought it would be a good opportunity to get involved with the Olympics.
Lisa Booher, 23, a senior from Gadsden, Ala., majoring in International development, also served a mission in Russia.
Booher said it is hard living in a foreign country and not knowing the language and she is excited to serve the Russian people in America.
'It will help them feel welcome and comfortable to have someone know their culture and their language,' said Andi Abbott, 24, a senior from Centerville, Davis Co., majoring in International Studies.
She said she hopes Utahans can be a good examples for America to everyone.
Wayne Mortensen, 23, a senior from Fresno, Calif., majoring in neural science, said he is not volunteering just to volunteer, he wants to help out the Hungarians.
'It''s an exciting opportunity to serve,' Mortensen said.