Author: Translators without Borders

Translators without Borders’ Words of Relief network is playing a vital role in the Ebola crisis – by helping to ensure people receive information in a language they understand. So far, there have been 5,000 official deaths as a result of the virus, mainly in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. Healthcare in these regions was fragile even before the Ebola outbreak; helping to prevent and treat the disease by providing communication in languages that locals understand is imperative to controlling this crisis.

The Ebola epidemic, called “the modern era’s worst health emergency” by the World Health Organization (WHO) is not just a health crisis but also a crisis of communication and lack of information. In September, UNICEF found that 30 percent of people in affected Sierra Leone (incorrectly) believed Ebola was transmitted via mosquitoes. This recent crisis has highlighted the importance of information and communication that can be trusted and understood by those who need it most.

Translators without Borders’ (TWB) very special project, Words of Relief, is a translation crisis relief network intended to improve communications during a world disaster when crisis-response aid workers and affected populations do not speak the same language. The Words of Relief network has played a crucial role in helping those affected by the Ebola crisis by working to improve communications between aid workers and local populations in West Africa suffering from the Ebola epidemic. Healthcare information from aid agencies is often provided in English and therefore many of those affected by the Ebola virus in Africa cannot understand the content.

TWB’s Words of Relief team has been actively working to reduce the information gap in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia by providing simple health messages – posters and public service announcements – in Krio, Themne, Mende, Fula, Malinke and Pidgin English (audio only), six key West African languages, to give those affected the knowledge to prevent the spread of the disease, recognize the symptoms and seek the right healthcare in a language they could understand. The team hopes to extend the project to other key local languages, such as Bambara in Mali. Information using simple pictures and graphics with minimal wording has also been used to quickly get basic healthcare information across to a wide, multilingual audience, with the aim of saving lives.

Rapid response translation teams, either professional translators or volunteers, trained by TWB, provide the translations. The source content, which communicates information on the Ebola virus and its control, has been provided, mainly in English, by International SOS, WHO/UNICEF and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“TWB’s Words of Relief team has had to overcome some hurdles with the recent Ebola crisis. Finding experienced translators for the [African] languages has been challenging. Diaspora is available and willing to volunteer but may not have experience translating. Professional translators in Sierra Leone and Guinea are also available but they have limited connectivity and communications can be challenging due to the Ebola crisis. But we have managed to find some very motivated volunteers. For those lacking translator experience, they can take part in the rapid response training program,” explained Grace Tang, Words of Relief Co-ordinator.

TWB recently announced that it had received more funding from the Indigo Trust and the Humanitarian Innovation Fund. The extra funding will help TWB extend its Ebola Words of Relief project to translate vital information into more West African languages and distribute more local language materials through various humanitarian networks to make sure the message gets through to those who need it most.

The Words of Relief team is helping the Ebola crisis in other areas, including the translation of English-language educational materials into French. Ministries of Education are developing home-learning materials and radio instruction programs to help educate about the virus and its risks. These educational materials include the development and dissemination of Ebola prevention, psychosocial support information and protocols for the safe reopening of schools. One of the primary goals of this education program is to ensure that French-speaking communities understand important communications. (French is the official language of Guinea and Mali). Communities and education representatives could miss out on vital information if it is not in their native tongue.

As I write this article, the Ebola epidemic is still far from being under control, but aid efforts are having an effect. There are so many important messages and communications that need to get through to so many parties, all speaking different languages and dialects. One of the key defense mechanisms is to provide information on how to prevent the further spread of Ebola and recognize its symptoms. Early diagnosis can help communities, aid workers and healthcare workers to isolate and treat patients early on to prevent further spread. They can also make sure burials are completed safely to prevent infection. People must be able to access, understand and trust healthcare advice. Providing knowledge and information in local languages is just one crucial weapon in fighting the war against Ebola.

NGO clients can share their glossaries and references

NGO clients can share glossaries, lists of acronyms, style guides and other reference documents with the volunteer translators working their projects. This will reduce inconsistencies, thereby improving the quality of translations. Multilingual glossaries could be contributed by some terminology-addicted translator as part of the volunteer work performed.

Users with an NGO client administrator profile can upload files that will be available on all active jobs for the client. To do so,  go to the profile icon in the upper-right corner of all pages, select ‘Business settings’ and then ‘File manager’ in the left side menu.

Translate API now available

A new feature is available on the Translators without Borders Translation Workspace powered by ProZ.com. Humanitarian organizations with adequate technical expertise can now integrate their own software with ours in a way that helps automate the translation process. The new “Translate API” can be used to send text or documents to the platform for translation, and then to route the translated work back to your system when it’s complete.

More information can be found in the Translation Center, by clicking in a dedicated menu option in the top dropdown menu. The API is currently experimental. Humanitarian organizations that are interested in trying it out should contact us at [email protected].

New ‘post-assignment instructions’ field

A new field has been added to the form used for the creation of new work orders.  Labelled ‘Post-assignment instructions’, it is located below the ‘Notes or special instructions’ field. Instructions posted in this new field will only be shown to the assigned translator(s) after acceptance, while those posted in the ‘Notes or special instructions” field are visible to all notified translators.

 

This feature is being used by a Humanitarian Organization that has their own translation platform and that post part of their translation needs in the TWB Workspace. They are now using this new field to let the translator know how to access the file for translation in their platform, and the task is marked as complete once it was completed there. Other creative uses are possible.

Video on the screening platform

A brief video explaining our translator quality assessment tool can be viewed here http://www.proz.com/screening-center-intro/. This tool enables us to objectively review test translations by Translators without Borders volunteers.

The reviewers operating in the screening center are not visible to the public, but they make an amazing contribution to Translators without Borders by activating the main mechanism used for bringing new volunteer translators to the TWB operation.

New control panel for the Wikipedia project

A new control panel has been created for the Wikipedia project at https://docs.google.com/a/proz.com/spreadsheets/d/1cb80jUe-tObwbTo-o4hh2IpcQHSv1TAJh-8vuniNsCs/edit?pli=1#gid=1780120699 This new panel includes automatic statistics on subject matters (articles and summaries) and also on target languages.

Remember the upper-right corner

It is important to remember the very important resources that can be found in the upper-right corner of all pages in the translation center.

A drop-down menu allows users to view and edit their profile, and to log-out from the platform. The “?” button provides access to user manuals explaining the use of the platform.

I have just returned from my twelfth Kenya trip since November 2011. As always it was a great pleasure speaking with our staff and with other stakeholders in Translators without Borders (TWB) Kenya.

In this section I usually report on what the TWB Translators Training Center in Nairobi is doing. In short, over the past months the eight person translation team has been involved in the translation of a 300,000 word corpus of disaster relief documents (our “Words of Relief” project), as well as several other projects. Our team has also recruited and trained a so-called ‘spider network’ of crisis intervention translators for 12 different Kenyan languages. When crises, such as flood, drought, cholera, civil war or Ebola, occur, these translators are asked to drop whatever they are doing and start translating whatever needs to be translated in order to help people survive the crisis.

Although TWB’s translation center in Nairobi is our ‘hub’ for African languages, TWB is also active in other African countries. Recently we have been involved in translating a range of Ebola-related documents into several West African languages, and we also organised two training sessions for translators for ‘Ebola-languages’. The rapid escalation of the Ebola crisis was due in part to a lack of knowledge and lack of clear communication. If people had known, from the start of this outbreak, what to do and what not to do, it is unlikely to have become the such a terrible crisis. Putting up Ebola warning posters in English and French throughout West Africa was clearly not particularly helpful. The people of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, the three countries that have been hardest hit, speak a total of 90 languages. English and French are spoken by perhaps 20 percent of those populations. That’s why we recently organized two online training sessions for ‘diaspora translators’ (ex-pats who are willing to translate into their native language). The sessions addressed topics such as ‘What is translation’ and ‘How to translate’, and included tips and tricks for translators, best practices for terminology problems and quality assurance. Ebola warning posters, as well as several leaflets and flyers, have now been translated into the most important languages of the area. We estimate that that has made critical information accessible to almost half the population.

With 14 percent of the world’s population, 28 percent of the world’s health burden, but only 3 percent of the world’s doctors, nurses and clinics, Africa has too many patients and too few doctors. In such a setting, health information and health education are essential. It is a given that the more a person knows about health, the healthier they usually are. TWB provides language support and translations, trains translators, and convinces governments and NGOs that language matters! A relatively small investment in translation has a huge return on investment resulting in fewer visits to doctors and clinics, less disruption of the local economies, and – above all – less human suffering.

TWB is working with African languages because we refuse to accept that people will suffer or die due to a lack of information in their language. We believe that we do this on behalf of the entire translation and localization sector. I am fortunate that my personal situation enables me to dedicate quite a bit of time to this cause. Fellow language service providers who do not have that luxury can support TWB by becoming a sponsor. Ebola is a great example of a crisis that we, as translators, can effectively help fight, but we can’t do it without your support. Please find the Donate button on our website, and be generous.

“Great oaks from little acorns grow”… a wonderfully evocative saying!  We can easily envisage the world of translation as a network of roots and shoots enabling the sharing of information and the growth of ideas across the world. And in the case of facilitating the transfer and translation of information and ideas from the developed world to developing countries, Translators without Borders (TWB) plays a key role.

It was shared ideas, initially scribbled on the back of an envelope as they chatted over dinner, which led Anne-Marie Colliander Lind, CEO of Inkrea.se Consulting and Cecilia Enbäck of Translator Scandinavia to launch the Nordic Translation Industry Forum (NTIF). Their aim was to fill a perceived gap in the Nordic translation conference market, which had hitherto focused on freelancers rather than translation companies. That was in 2011, with the very first event held in Malmö, Sweden just six months after the idea was conceived. The forum attracted 110 business participants from 19 countries extending far beyond the Nordic borders. Its success led to the forum being rolled out as an annual affair.

Translators without Borders has also benefited from NTIF’s success and the generous support of its delegates. Anne-Marie is Director of Fundraising for TWB for which she has organized a series of localization, technology and fundraising events. The NTIF has brought TWB increased exposure to key players in the translation industry who can contribute to our mission. The NTIF’s Social Hour, where a series of games have been included to raise funds for TWB, has become a reoccurring success. Not only does it make an important contribution to TWB, it is also a highly appreciated networking activity. This year, the games are kindly sponsored by STP Nordic, Semantix, TextPartner, Nuadda, KantanMT, WordFinder and Diskusija.

“It is actually all about sharing”, observes Anne-Marie. “Information. Knowledge. Know-how. Wealth. By supporting Translators without Borders we contribute to a world where information provided in local languages will make a difference. For more people. Our wish is to bridge information and communication gaps through languages.”

The fourth annual Nordic Translation Forum took place in late November. It was held in Helsingør, Denmark, with delegates from some 30 countries. The keynote speaker was Hans Rosenfeldt, creator of the TV crime series The Bridge that has been sold to huge acclaim to all except three countries around the world. Given its global exposure and success, and Rosenfeldt’s welcome participation in the NTIF, the TV series title is more than inspired!

Internet.org is a non-profit partnership of technology companies using their technical expertise to help people around the world gain access to knowledge by accelerating internet access through mobile devices. The initiative, which was kicked off by Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, in August 2013, recognizes the critical importance of focusing on humanitarian content, especially health and educational material, and emphasizing that information should be in local languages.  

For more on internet.org’s scope and activities, we spoke with Facebook Business Development Manager, Bryan Hurren, who manages the initiative.

Mr. Hurren began by describing one of internet.org’s work streams, Free Basic Services. “We’ve seen that 85 percent of the world’s population is already in 2G coverage or better, but only 30 percent are active data users. [With] Free Basic Services, we constructively align with mobile operators to fundamentally shift the ‘calculus’ a person uses to adopt mobile data,” he said, adding, “Connectivity is necessary but not sufficient for the adoption of mobile data services that can carry vital information, and those services must be appropriately local for people to use them.”

Translators without Borders has found this to be the case in West Africa during the Ebola crisis. While mobile uptake in Sierra Leone is high (over 50 percent, according to the International Finance Group), a KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice) study by UNICEF found that only 10 percent of respondents wanted vital information via their mobile devices. They much preferred to receive information on prevention, care and funereal procedures, via radio. But with so many people actually having mobile devices, the opportunity to convey local key messages via mobile is great and could improve communications with affected populations in the future. 

Naturally, the relevance of any information depends largely on its availability in local languages, as Mr. Hurren explained. “With Free Basic Services, we take a very active partnership approach to this content. Ideally, we work with local creators of content, or global providers that are committed to meeting the relatively high localization requirements. For Free Basic Services, we strive to offer content from partners in languages that provide 90 percent population coverage.” For the launch in Kenya and Tanzania, some of the small health NGOs, such as MAMA (the Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action), have worked with Translators without Borders to ensure their health information is available in Swahili, the lingua franca of the region.

“Beyond translation, we actively work with partners that localize content along three dimensions: language, literacy, and culture. There are topics that are so culturally sensitive, it may be appropriate to reframe them in locally-specific ways. An example of this multi-dimensional localization is our work with UNICEF to distribute their general Facts for Life content. We work closely with the local offices, who work with local governments to ensure the content is appropriate. Language translation is one of several localization dimensions we consider to ensure understanding.”

With its approach that allows for complexity and diversity, internet.org helps distribute to wider audiences not only data, but the knowledge that data can carry. In addition to Facebook, the initiative is supported by co-founders Ericsson, Mediatek, Opera Software, Samsung, Nokia and Qualcomm.

Translators without Borders (TWB) was founded on the belief that information, provided in an understandable language, can save lives in a crisis. In the past few months that principle has been applied to great effect in Sierra Leone, where a dedicated team of TWB translators is making a practical contribution to controlling Ebola.

When the current Ebola epidemic began in early 2014, information and instructions on appropriate responses were primarily available in English. Unfortunately, many people vulnerable to the disease did not speak or read English. For example, although the official language of Sierra Leone is English, Krio, Mende and Themne are used by a far greater proportion of the population, particularly in rural areas.

Dr Fabian Dapila, a linguist who has worked in several African countries, is co-ordinating TWB’s efforts to provide information in those lingua francas. In difficult circumstances (including restrictions on travel and the need to be constantly vigilant against the disease), Dr Dapila is coordinating a team of three translators, all based in different parts of Sierra Leone.

The work done by the three translators has done much to demystify Ebola by ensuring that clear and consistent information is widely accessible. One of the most effective outputs from the team has been a series of simple but informative posters, suggesting ways to prevent the spread of Ebola, describing symptoms of infection and emphasising the urgency of seeking medical attention.

Previously, misinformation, mistrust, fear and panic spread quickly through communities. The availability of translated material has helped to reassure communities, increase trust in aid workers and medical staff and promote more constructive responses.

TWB is proud of its access to dedicated volunteers who apply their cultural and linguistic knowledge to assist communities in crisis. The Sierra Leonean team is an inspirational example, giving up personal time to support their communities.

“They are absolutely passionate about promoting their respective languages, and the need to combat the Ebola threat has been an added incentive for all of them”, Dr Dapila explained. “So, even though they have full-time jobs as a teacher, a literature programme co-ordinator and a Bible translator, they have all happily donated many hours of their own time to ensure that the right messages are communicated”.

The people of Sierra Leone are understandably frightened of Ebola, but when they receive information in a language that they are familiar with, it not only reduces their panic and fear, but also gives them a clear plan for action.

As Dr Dapila noted, “When people understand something and believe in it, they become teachers and advocates in their own communities, so the word spreads”.

This year, Translators without Borders was very lucky to have the support of a number of translators and translation companies who ran a bit, biked a bit – and even just worked out – all in the name of greater access to knowledge around the world. These creative efforts to support the work we do, and to allow us to do a bit more, were exciting in that they combined interests in physical accomplishment with translation and greater access to information. To top it off, they were fun. Here’s a quick look at the fundraisers.

Alex Reuer was one of the first to organize an event – the 10K Bristol run in the spring. Alex, a freelance translator from the area, encouraged some of her friends to join her, and then she developed a simple crowdfunding page to raise funds to voice over 15 mother’s health videos (from the Global Health Media Project) into Swahili.

“The decision to run this year’s Bristol 10k was made last year, after taking part in a 5k cross-country fun race with a friend. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to set ourselves a new goal. The Bristol 10k was to be my first sort-of-serious running challenge, so I resolved to make it a first in another way as well: my first ever charity run,” Alex said. “Being a translator with a strong personal and professional interest in human rights, picking a TWB fundraising project was the natural thing to do for me. My fellow team members (one more translator plus three Germans) loved the idea, so off we went and created a fundraising page. In no time at all, we had exceeded our initial fundraising target. We then raised our target and exceeded it again! In the end, more than 800 GBP were donated to our cause. We were completely bowled over by all the support people have shown for our run and for TWB, and are delighted that ‘our’ project is now fully funded! What a fantastic experience – thanks to all our supporters, and to TWB for the stellar work they do.”

TTC wetranslate provided the rest of the funding for the video voice over project by organizing a bikeathon in the fall. With 65 riders taking part over 24 hours, the team covered 1047 kilometers and raised 1000 GBP. Additionally, Lori Thicke, TWB founder, was able to visit the organizers in the fall to give added support.

Like the Bristol team, the Bikeathon group used GoFundMe online to raise the funds. It is one of several online tools that assist in mounting fundraising campaigns. Others include JustGiving and

Another event was mounted by EnssnerZeitgeist Translations in Germany. Employee enthusiasm for running combined with an interest in doing a fundraiser to create a fun run at the tekom Fair in November and beyond. The team continued to run after tekom and has donated 10 cents to TWB for every kilometer run.

These are just a few examples of the creative fundraisers that have really taken off this year. They represent inspiring and healthy ways to get involved and help us save lives through translation. Thank you everyone!

 

 

Meet Zbyněk Táborský – Zbyněk is a Czech translator for English and French, and a Translator without Borders.

Hi, Zbynek! Tell us a bit about yourself
I’ve been working as a freelance translator since 2010. I work from English and French into Czech, my native language. During my bachelor studies of Applied Philology I worked on a huge parallel corpus of acquis communautaire, a set of legislative texts of the European Union that was further examined in my bachelor thesis. This, a brief insight into the daily routine of a translation agency during my internship, and further studies of European Law have led me to starting my freelance career. Since its beginning, quite expectedly, I have been specializing in EU matters, politics and business and legal texts in general. During this time, I further narrowed my core specialization to competition law and industrial and intellectual property. So, quite a light-year from Translators without Borders (TWB), in fact. In 2011, I started operating my business under the brand name ZTranslations, firstly just on my own. Today, ZTranslations forms a group of some of the best Czech translators providing top-notch, high-end services from English, French, German and Dutch. This year we also kicked off a new project with my partner Tanya Quintieri, called Czech Your Business, combining translation and marketing services for entities entering the Czech market.

What made you volunteer for Translators without Borders?
I wanted to vest my skills and abilities to some good cause, and I have found Translators without Borders to be a great opportunity to do so. As the TWB assignments are generally totally different from everything I do on a daily basis, I sometimes really enjoy taking on a different topic. And the fact that it can help someone in need is a great added value, isn’t it?

Any particularly memorable TWB project?
I remember a project involving a translation of a lease agreement and house rules for a homeless person. With a little bit of my help, that person was able to get a new home, a base to start anew, a great life from there. That gave me a feeling of gratitude.

And any particularly memorable TWB anecdote?
Well, you will surely agree that translating texts about hepatitis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, suicide or Ebola is not any particular fun. But a funny thing is that shortly after translating an article about haemorrhoids, I started to take an interest in the concept of working while standing, which I’ve done since then. I often encourage and inspire people to do the same, because long-term sitting is indeed a silent killer, the haemorrhoids being just one result. A headache hitting me while working on an article about migraine was also great fun! 

What challenges, if any, are you facing or did you face as a Translator without Borders?
This comes directly from the source text I am currently working on –“time is of the essence”. I think we all know this issue very well and it is no different when it comes to TWB assignments. The challenge of squeezing pro bono work between many other jobs is a tough one and sometimes the assignment simply has to be postponed.

What do you enjoy doing to take a break from translation?
When not sitting or standing in my office, I really like to be outdoors in the fresh air, mountain biking, running, hiking, preferably anywhere where you can reach a summit or a place with some really nice view. I can also enjoy some good reading, fine music and delicious food.

Our interviewee for this issue is Donna Parrish, who is one of the key tenets at Translators without Borders. She has served tirelessly on the board, both as a member and currently as a Secretary, helping volunteers achieve their goals within TWB and spreading the word through her magazine, Multilingual.

 

If you were to write a brief wiki article about yourself, what facts and personal characteristics would you include?

I majored in mathematics at college; then I became a computer programmer, which I did for 25 years. Then I went to work for Multilingual, the magazine, and I really enjoyed it. I was mainly hired because of my programming background. They knew I would understand some of the technical difficulties, dealing with languages on computer networking. After a few years, the person who started the magazine wanted to get out of the business so I bought it from them. Now I am the owner of Multilingual. In 2003, I got involved in Localization World and I have been doing that ever since.

What is your role at TWB?

I was part of the forming organization in 2010 when we first incorporated Translators without Borders. I have been involved in TWB ever since. I am the Secretary of the board. I am also investigating how we can restructure TWB so as to take it to the next level; in other words, how we can cope with current demands. We are dealing with people who are all volunteers and everybody has very good intentions, but it is necessary for someone to be around and make sure things are done and that everyone has all of the tools and information they need… so that is my role.

How do you squeeze in time for your volunteer tasks?

Quite often in the morning before I go to work. I usually spend the first hour and sometimes two, in front of the computer with my morning coffee in my hand. As I am normally working in the Pacific time zone, a lot of the day has already gone past by the time I am online so parts of my tasks involve catching up with what has happened, but also that is a good time to do TWB things that I need to do. So it is a good way to begin the day before my regular job, before putting on “my other hat,” so to speak.

What do you consider are the challenges ahead for your role and for TWB?

I think we are addressing the challenges. The wonderful thing that is happening is that we have raised awareness throughout the world in terms of the needs for critical information to be expressed in local languages. This was something that non-profit organizations had not thought of, and they are thinking about it thanks to our efforts, and that is the reason why there is so much demand. So now we need to be able to cope with these new demands. There are many administrative and operational needs. For example, my organization deals with a lot of the technical background of TWB, such as hosting the website and sending e-mails.

To what extent do your professional and personal goals come together with your volunteer work?

It is just a perfect melting. The nice thing about being publisher at the magazine Multilingual is that we can also use the exposure that the magazine brings to spread the word about TWB. So that is another way this all comes together for me. I think a lot of people may have the impression that in order to volunteer for TWB you must be a translator, but there are many needs in the organization for people like me and with the growing number of non-profit organizations that need our help, there are more and more tasks to be done. Of course translation is the core, but there are a lot of other issues to be filled.

Target shooting

In paper: newspapers and magazines

On the web: current trends on the web

Open-air activity: jogging

With friends: dining together, going to a movie

Family gathering: Thanksgiving