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