fulTo add interpretation to a Zoom meeting, the host switches on language interpretation, adds each interpreter when scheduling, and starts interpretation once the meeting begins. Participants then choose their language. This guide gives each step for hosts and organisers, with text you can send to participants.
By Michael Delrieu, founder of fulbridge and English–French interpreter.
What you need before you start
- A paid Zoom account for the host. Language interpretation is not part of the free plan.
- The Zoom desktop app for the host. The host can’t set up or start interpretation from the mobile app or a web browser.
- Each interpreter’s email address, the one they use to sign in to Zoom.
- The languages each interpreter works between, for example English and French.
Step 1: switch on language interpretation
You do this once for your account.
- Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
- Go to Settings, then the Meeting tab.
- Under In Meeting (Advanced), switch on Language interpretation.
- If the switch is grey, your Zoom administrator has locked it. Ask them to switch it on for you.
Step 2: schedule the meeting & add the interpreters
- Schedule your meeting in the web portal or the desktop app.
- For the meeting ID, choose Generate Automatically. Interpretation doesn’t work with your Personal Meeting ID.
- In the Interpretation section, tick Enable language interpretation.
- Add each interpreter: their email address and their language pair, for example English and French. During the meeting, the interpreter switches between the two languages as the speakers change.
- Save the meeting, and send the meeting link to the interpreters.
You must switch on interpretation when you schedule the meeting. You can’t add it to an instant meeting. You can still add or change interpreters later, even during the meeting.
Step 3: sound check with the interpreters
Our interpreters log in 60 minutes before the meeting to check the sound with your host. Ask your speakers to use a headset with a microphone, not the laptop microphone. Interpreters can only interpret what they can hear clearly.
Send the agenda and slides ahead of time, ideally two days before. Interpreters use them to learn your key terms.
Step 4: start interpretation in the meeting
- Start the meeting from the desktop app.
- Click Interpretation in the meeting controls. If you don’t see it, look under More. Only the host can do this, not a co-host.
- Check that each interpreter is listed with the right languages.
- Click Start. Participants now see the Interpretation menu.
What participants do
- Join with computer audio, in the Zoom app or a web browser. A phone call (dial-in) can’t carry interpretation.
- Click Interpretation in the meeting controls. On a phone, it is under More.
- Choose their language.
- To hear only the interpreter, choose Mute original audio.
Text to send to participants
English: “This meeting has interpretation. Join with the Zoom app or your browser, not by phone call. Click Interpretation in the meeting controls (on a phone, under More) and choose your language. To hear only the interpreter, choose Mute original audio.”
Français : « Cette réunion est interprétée. Rejoignez-la avec l’application Zoom ou votre navigateur, et non par téléphone. Cliquez sur Interprétation dans la barre de commandes (sur un téléphone, dans Plus) et choisissez votre langue. Pour n’entendre que l’interprète, coupez le son d’origine dans ce même menu. »
Common problems & how to fix them
The interpreter is not in the interpretation list.
They probably joined with a different email address from the one you entered. Ask them to sign in to Zoom with that address, or assign them as an interpreter from the Interpretation menu.
Participants can’t see the Interpretation button.
The host has not clicked Start yet, or the participant joined by phone call. Ask them to rejoin with computer audio, in the Zoom app or a browser.
Participants hear the speaker and the interpreter at the same time.
This is normal: the speaker stays on quietly in the background. To hear only the interpreter, they choose Mute original audio.
The interpreters can’t hear the speaker well.
Ask the speaker to use a headset with a microphone and to stay close to it. Turn off other microphones in the room.
Do you need interpreters for your Zoom meeting?
fulbridge provides remote interpreters for Zoom and Teams meetings, wherever your participants are. Each interpreter works with two computers, two headsets and two internet connections. From MAD 1,080 per interpreter per hour, including VAT. See all our prices.
Send us the date, time zone, languages and length of your meeting. Or call +212 6 75 64 14 30.