Translation and community mediation

TL;DR

Negative perceptions of translations in COVID communication led to shifts in practices and highlighted the importance of thick trust in community-based mediation.

Transcript

I'm going to talk about COVID communication  and translation. You're probably sick to   death of it. But as you will recall, memes like this  circulated through the press and through all media   telling Australians about bad translations,  in this case a mix-up of languages.  We had articles like this in the press. This  was probably the most that ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Negative perceptions of translations in COVID communication led to shifts from certified translators to community-based mediation.
• 🖐️ Trust played a significant role in effective communication and translation practices during the pandemic.
• 🤔 Community engagement and thick trust were valued over traditional thin trust in translation services.
• 🐕‍🦺 Balancing equal access to services and trustworthiness posed challenges for professional translators.
• 😷 The importance of accurate and timely translations in medical information and vaccination messaging was highlighted.
• 🪡 Addressing the need for standardized terminology and translation practices is crucial for future communication efforts.
• ❓ Collaborative efforts between professional translators and community mediators are essential for effective communication in diverse communities.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did negative perceptions of translations arise during COVID communication?

Negative perceptions arose due to translation mix-ups highlighted by memes and press coverage. The shift was observed due to challenges faced in translating COVID messaging accurately and timely.

Q: How did trust play a vital role in community-based mediation during COVID communication?

Trust was crucial in community-based mediation as individuals trusted translations that came from close community links and were more relatable. Thick trust was valued over thin trust provided by NAATI accreditation.

Q: What challenges did professional translators face in comparison to community mediators in COVID communication?

Professional translators faced challenges in maintaining equal access to translation services while also ensuring trustworthiness. Balancing thin trust and thick trust required reevaluation of traditional translation practices.

Q: How did the mistranslations in COVID communication impact public perception of translators and interpreters?

Mistranslations led to a decrease in public trust and evaluation of translators and interpreters. The importance of accurate translations in medical and vaccination messaging was emphasized, impacting overall trustworthiness.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Memes and press coverage highlighted translation mix-ups during COVID communication.

• Shift observed from NAATI certified translators to community-based mediation in response to challenges.

• Trust, community engagement, and translation practices in COVID communication were evaluated.