Challenges and best practices for managing multilingual work

Technology for multilingual spaces breakout

Facilitator: Mago

Key Takeaways:

• +2 Addressing different ways of using technology across generations and cultures so that no one is excluded.

• • Thinking of IT as a language

• Not speaking IT language while also working multilingual communities. → funding/time for IT training

• +4 Resources + funding for interpretation and interpretation equipment + budgeting for interpretation

• • Skillsharing + solidarity network

• • Training for bilingual folks (maybe retired?) to become skilled interpreters

• +3 Time/capacity/compensation

• +2 Just compensation for interpreters → shifting the dynamic

• • Systemizing our grant applications → keep interpretation as line item in all programs

• • Advocating for foundations to have a fund available for orgs to access when interpretation is needed

• • • Stats and resources about language justice to advocate

• • Hire staffed interpreters for orgs that have regular interpretation needs

• How could Aspiration network advance this issue?

• • Start by naming it / sharing the story / the systemic need with foundations

• What tech resources exist that can support multilingual spaces?

• • How can technology be of service to facilitating multilingual spaces online specifically?

• • e.g. webinars → How to pull off simultaneous interpretation online?

• • Creating multilingual digital networks that can be accessed easily by phone / don’t require a high level of tech skill

Go around

• M - Journalist

Learning to embrace my bilingual reality

How to create multilingual networks of journalists

• G - IDPSCA

Challenges with language, not just Spanish/English but also tech languages and indigenous languages

What are resources to improve our communication?

• S

Volunteers with API LGBTQ org and there are many different languages represented

How to find translators for materials

Website tips?

Google translate bar on

• A - L.A. Co-op Lab

Creating multilingual digital networks that can be accessed easily by phone / don’t require a high level of tech skill

S : Members start posting things that are

• Y - Refuge for Families

How can technology be of service to facilitating multilingual spaces online?

Works with folks in El Salvador and connects with

Other challenges:

• Lack of relationships with indigenous interpreters

• For transnational work, people have different ways of speaking about things, need to know nuances

• The way we prioritize language puts Spanish/English translation at the top and often sidelines other immigrant communities

• Staff members who don’t speak the same language