Interview and state of the art analysis - Adam Nyberg

Interview

I interviewed a tourist at Naturhistoriska Muséet in Stockholm who wished to be anonymous. I recorded our interview but at her request I will only use it for writing this text.

Where are you from?
Me and my husband are from Germany, we're from Hamburg.

How long have you been in Stockholm?
A week, This is our last day and we haven't been to any museums yet, and we have heard of Naturhistoriska before.

Do you often visit museums when you are abroad or is this the first time?
We usually like to see at least one museum in the country we visit when we are on vacation.

Was there any specific exhibit you wanted to see?
Yes, the polar one.

How easy did you feel it was to find when you got to the museum?
It was easy, you just follow the sign in English when you come in. Or, it was easier for me than my husband, he doesn't know English that well.

Did you find any information in German?
No, not much.

Since you and your husband visit a lot museums when you are traveling, how easy is it usually for you to find information in German when you are at a museum?
Well in Switzerland and Belgium it is easy *laughs*. Actually it is often hard if you don't know English.

Would you be interested in any applications that could help you find more information at the museum in any language?
Yes.

State of the Art Analysis

I have decided to analyze the Array AG 300-10, a portable tour guide system and translation device. The device consists of a transmitter, that a tour guide connects to their microphone, as well as up to 40 receivers connected to headphones that each tourist can wear during the tour. As well as giving everyone on tour an easier time hearing the tour guide the receiver can also use up three different prerecorded translations of the the tour in different languages.

This device can be a great alternative for non-native language speakers when tours are not available in that language. One advantage that the device has if you are listening to a recording is that you do not even have to go on a tour, you can just listen to it as you walk through the museum. A problem I see is that you can not ask the recording questions about the exhibits as you would usually do during a guided tour. Also, three different languages may cover some major languages but it will not be enough. Lastly, by using this device you might lose out on any special audio that an exhibit might use to enhance the feeling you get from it since you are using an audio device.