NORAD Santa Tracker/ multilingual Santa tracking/ Christmas traditions/ Interpreters Unlimited/ cultural inclusion holidays/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ NORAD’s Santa Tracker, a beloved Christmas Eve tradition, uses advanced technology to track Santa’s global journey, now offering multilingual accessibility. Thanks to Interpreters Unlimited, children and families worldwide can follow Santa in their native language. With over 10,000 interpreters assisting, the initiative fosters inclusivity, cultural representation, and holiday joy for millions each year.
NORAD’s Santa Tracker Goes Multilingual: Quick Looks
- Tracking Tradition: NORAD has tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve journey since 1955, starting with a misdialed phone call.
- Global Reach: Millions of children in over 200 countries and territories track Santa annually.
- Multilingual Access: Interpreters Unlimited provides language services for Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and more.
- Tech and Fun: Families track Santa through NORAD’s app, website, social media, or hotline.
- Cultural Connection: Multilingual tracking enhances inclusion and celebrates cultural diversity during the holidays.
Track Santa in Any Language: NORAD’s Inclusive Holiday Tradition
Deep Look
For generations, families across the United States, Canada, and beyond have embraced NORAD’s Santa Tracker as a cornerstone of Christmas Eve celebrations. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) combines state-of-the-art radar, satellite technology, and aircraft to monitor Santa Claus’s journey as he delivers gifts around the globe. What makes this tradition even more special? It’s now accessible in multiple languages, ensuring children everywhere can follow Santa in a way that feels personal and culturally inclusive.
The NORAD Santa Tracker traces its origins to a serendipitous event in 1955. A child, hoping to speak with a department store Santa, accidentally called the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD)—NORAD’s predecessor—due to a misprinted phone number in a newspaper ad. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the duty commander, quickly adapted, instructing his staff to respond to the calls with Santa’s whereabouts. This heartwarming interaction sparked a tradition that carried over when NORAD was established in 1958. Today, millions eagerly check in with NORAD to track Santa’s progress.
Technology Meets Holiday Magic
Families can follow Santa’s sleigh using NORAD’s advanced tracking tools, accessible through an app, a desktop site, and a hotline at 877-HI-NORAD. The initiative has grown to include platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, extending its reach to a tech-savvy audience. However, one standout feature is the collaboration with Interpreters Unlimited, which ensures the Santa Tracker is available in multiple languages, including Spanish, German, French, Chinese, Korean, and more.
“When the kids see where Santa is, they can see it in their language,” says Shamus Sayed, vice president of Interpreters Unlimited. This effort not only promotes accessibility but also celebrates cultural diversity.
Volunteers and Interpreters Add the Human Touch
Each year, more than 130,000 calls are fielded by volunteers who guide families through Santa’s journey. Interpreters Unlimited enhances this experience by offering voiceovers and live interpretation services, often returning year after year to help. “It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s actually a lot of fun,” Sayed notes. The human touch, he adds, is invaluable in capturing cultural nuances that artificial intelligence tools cannot replicate.
A Global Tradition with a Local Heart
NORAD’s Santa Tracker serves as a worldwide symbol of holiday cheer, connecting families across cultures and languages. From its humble beginnings in Colorado Springs to a global phenomenon that reaches over 200 countries and territories, the program has become an enduring part of Christmas Eve.
As Becky Farmer, a NORAD spokesperson, puts it, “Santa tracking is a worldwide effort.” The initiative ensures that everyone, regardless of age, culture, or language, can join in the magic of the season.
An Invitation to Smile
“Whether you’re adults, kids, old, young, everyone—go to the site or make the call,” Sayed urges. “Use this as an excuse to smile.”
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