RECENTLY, THE UNITED WAY OF Northeastern SD Foundation awarded several grants to nonprofits across the Aberdeen area to purchase a device called the Instant Language Assistant. The device—two tablets connected by a HIPAAcertified program—can translate conversations into over 200 languages in real time.
Originally, the Foundation purchased one for Cornerstones Career Learning Center.
The results were so impressive that other nonprofits took notice. The Department of Social Services reported similar success, and soon the Foundation invested in 10 devices to share across the community.
Since then, the Aberdeen Police Department has purchased one through the Aberdeen Community Foundation, the Aberdeen Public School District has invested in units, and more agencies are requesting demos.
For English language learners and service providers alike, the ILA is a game changer; accurate, easy to use, and capable of breaking down communication barriers instantly. I wanted to see it in action, so I asked a woman I was acquainted with, still in the early stages of learning English, if I could do her interview using the device. By the end of our conversation, I had not only witnessed the technology in action – I had made a new friend. I have left her name out of the story out of respect for her privacy.
ILA Device
She told me she was born and raised in the Caribbean. Her childhood was filled with the scent of orange trees, the play of neighborhood children, and weekend trips to the family farm. There, she helped gather corn and malanga but spent most of her time with the animals – horses, sheep, rabbits, and hens.
She loved school, so after graduating high school, she enrolled in a local university. Along the way, she married and had two children. She made a name for herself in her field but was limited in the opportunities for her on the island she was raised.
More misfortune met her when her marriage ended. Determined, she was ready for a fresh start. Moving to the U.S. had been a lifelong dream for her because of the opportunities she saw in America. Once her children were grown up, she took the steps to make her dream come true.
The move to Aberdeen was anything but simple. She was granted work permit, but the trip to South Dakota was expensive and at times grueling, but to her it was worth it. Today, she now has her green card and a social security number, and she’s already studying for her citizenship test.
She vividly remembers her first impressions: the scale of construction, the smooth roads, the solid buildings – and then, the snow. She had never seen snow before and was amazed by its beauty. But learn to drive in it? That was another story. She’s confident behind the wheel, but winter driving still makes her nervous.
The quiet here is also new. She grew up in bustling island city, full of outdoor markets. The rural calm of Aberdeen was a stark change, but one she’s grown to appreciate. She speaks fondly of the kindness she’s experienced from Aberdonians, as well as the optimism she sees in her neighbors.
Local non-profit leaders and the Aberdeen Police Department receiving their ILA devices.
To improve her English, she’s enrolled in English languages classes. She loves being part of a community where people are eager to help her learn.
Family and friends are central part of her and important part of her culture growing up. She remains close to her children and cherishes her new friendships.
She says she feels at home in Aberdeen, a place that has welcomed her with open arms. Her journey here was one of courage and persistence, but also one of joy, discovery, and connection.
Before our conversation, the only thing I knew about her was her beautiful smile and her struggle learning English (and of course, my lack of Spanish). For me, this interview was more than a demonstration of the ILA device’s capabilities, it was a reminder that technology can do more than translate words. It can connect people, share stories, and build friendships across cultures…
- If you would like more information on the ILA Device, contact Angie at United Way of Northeastern SD at 605-225-0212.
View more articles about:
Back- Share
