Voces Unidas Through Language: My Role as a Disney Language Services Specialist

We want you to get the most out of your ‘luxury villa’ stay in Solterra, Davenport (near Championsgate and just south of the Disney World Resort area). To help out, we have sourced the following blog post to keep you up to date with news from Walt Disney World Resort. Thanks to the guys over at Disney Parks for the original post...

My name is Cami Ripol, and for the past 18 years, I have worked
as a Senior Language Services Specialist at Disney. In my role, I provide
Spanish translations and manage translations into other languages for cast,
crew and Imagineers across our Disney Parks worldwide. I also offer cultural
and language guidance to make information easily accessible for our hourly cast
and employees with limited English skills. I’m excited to kick off Hispanic and
Latin American Heritage Month by sharing my story.  

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, the daughter of Cuban exiles, and I knew from a very young age what I wanted to be when I grew up. It was 1980, I was 10 years old, and a neighbor and close friend of my mother came over to visit. ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All” dominated the airwaves, and this woman who knew no English was lamenting that she didn’t understand the lyrics. So, before she left that day, I handed her a paper with the lyrics to “The Winner Takes It All” in Spanish. She was so touched and grateful. She now felt like a part of the story. I learned that day that I could make a difference in people’s lives through language translation, and that doing so made me happy. 

I eventually graduated college and completed a Master’s in
Translation and Interpretation. My professional journey brought me to Disney,
where I bridge the language gap for cast members with limited English skills.
In my years with the company, I’ve understood that language translation allows
all cast members and employees to feel welcome, valued, and engaged. A perfect
example is our Traditions classes, Disney’s onboarding and training for new
employees and cast members. At Walt Disney World Resort, it is offered in
English, Spanish and Haitian Creole, the primary languages spoken by our cast
in Central Florida.  

My colleague Jacques Noel, College and International Recruitment
Coordinator, perfectly explained his connection to the cast members he
facilitates Traditions for. “Providing Traditions to cast in their
language is super important. They feel more comfortable and are not afraid to
ask questions or share their thoughts. I am originally from Haiti and give
Traditions classes in Haitian Creole and Spanish,” said Jacques.

“Being able to teach Traditions in Spanish means a lot to
me. I always see myself in the middle of this classroom as one of them. Not
only because I speak their language, but because I know their culture. The
connection I have with them is unbelievable. This is a perfect example of
‘Inclusion,’ the newest of Disney’s Five Keys.” 

Disney is a global organization that celebrates the many
cultures and languages of our cast members. Language inclusion is a pillar of
how we communicate and connect with each other and our guests. My team and I
are proud of the work we do to make everyone feel like part of our Disney
family. We are committed to ensuring that our workplace is a welcoming and
inclusive environment for all, and communication across languages helps make
this world feel a little bit smaller.  

Interested in joining our Cast and being part of the magic? Check out available roles and learn more!