Translating Empowerment and Human Rights in Crises
The VOICEPATH Crisis Translation Toolkit embodies the concept of crisis translation as a catalyst for empowerment.
It recognises that the absence of translation accessibility at any phase of a crisis can result in severe infringements of human rights, encompassing vital aspects like health, life, access to information, fair trial, and the right to non-discrimination.
Crisis translation refers to translation in situations of crisis, involving “language barriers in the context of multi-dimensional cascading effects that widen existing vulnerabilities or engender new ones by means of miscommunication” [1].
Translation, which is seen here in its written and oral forms, is interpreted as an empowerment tool in all the stages of a crisis, including preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery and reconstruction, and in all types of humanitarian crises (e.g., crises caused by environmental disasters: public health; armed conflict: wars, civil wars, and other forms of violence resulting in forced displacement).
This toolkit provides the necessary resources for all organisations aiding individuals who speak other languages in crisis situations to assist them while respecting their dignity and fundamental rights.
It encompasses tools ranging from ensuring access to these rights through broad references to international legislation to an innovative self-assessment model via a Crisis Translation Maturity Model specifically developed for this purpose.
Additionally, the toolkit offers guidance on advocating for quality translation services during crises to prevent human rights violations. It presents an overview of the potential consequences resulting from the lack of such access, incorporating narratives from relevant stakeholders and referencing definitions, concepts, and resources valuable in multilingual crisis scenarios.