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
- Mago - Journalist
Learning to embrace my bilingual reality
How to create multilingual networks of journalists
- Guadalupe - IDPSCA
Challenges with language, not just Spanish/English but also tech languages and indigenous languages
What are resources to improve our communication?
- Shirley
Volunteers with API LGBTQ org and there are many different languages represented
How to find translators for materials
Website tips?
Google translate bar on
- Adriana - 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
Shirley: Members start posting things that are
- Yanely - 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