Volunteer Translators Provided and Needed

Posted by on December 2, 2005

http://www.translationsforprogress.org

Translations for Progress is new public service offering free volunteer translations to the global NGO community. The web site was created to assist NGOs in need of translation work, but without the budget to pay for it, and students or professionals of foreign languages who are interested in building experience as translators, developing familiarity with organizations in their region of interest, and contributing to a good cause. Volunteer translators are linked with organizations by means of a searchable online database.

By linking the needs of these two groups, Translations for Progress aims to support the development of better communication within the international grass-roots community, improving the ability of organizations to meet their goals, and to help today’s students become more actively involved in social issues early on.

The need for translations, even of less than professional quality, cannot be overstated for many NGOs in developing and even developed nations. Often chronically short of funds, such organizations need translations to work with the press internationally, seek funding from overseas foundations, identify partners in foreign countries, and inform the world community about their work. Frequently something as simple as an English website can greatly increase scope of an organization’s influence and its ability to disseminate information, allowing it to more effectively address the problems it seeks to solve.

Initially, Translations for Progress is targeting language students in the United States, but eventually, the website has the capability to include students of many languages in many nations. While students are certainly not professional translators, more often than not anyone with solid reading knowledge, a dictionary, and patience can put together a passable translation of general materials, which could make a big difference for an NGO struggling to be heard. Moreover, a slightly flawed translation is certainly preferable to none at all for many organizations with no alternatives.

If you feel that your organization could benefit from Translations for Progress, or you are a student or professional interested in volunteering as a translator, please visit our website at http://www.translationsforprogress.org.

This is a public service and is free of charge, but users are required to register in order to list a profile on the site contact translators and organizations through the database. Please feel free and use this service frequently and extensively. As the number of organizations increases more translators will be attracted by the increased opportunities, and vice-versa.