While waiting for the next request from Translators Without Borders for my professional services, I have completed the course which TWB makes available for everyone volunteering language services: An Introduction to Humanitarian Translation.
Language plays a crucial role in humanitarian action: providing key information in a language which can be understood instantly can make a difference to the efficiency of intervention in a crisis; even in non-crisis situations, information and training in the correct language for the target recipients can save lives. Furthermore, addressing a person in their own language, as well as ensuring that the message is accessible, gives due value to the individual or group, realising that their situation is important to others increases optimism: hope is fundamental to improving the circumstances of marginalised or displaced communities as well as those facing a humanitarian crisis.
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