Who hasn’t heard of ethical clothing, ethical nutrients, or ethical tourism?
If you are an ethical shopper, you are a part of a growing movement. Fair wages, sustainable business practices, cruelty free products… these are just some of the things you might think about before making a buying decision.
But what about translations? Do you know how and where your translations are being made? And more importantly, why should you care?
The issue?
Our cultural landscape is forever evolving. Across our communities, we speak over 270 languages, represent 300 ancestries and practise over 100 religions. In fact, Australia’s linguistic and cultural diversity should position us as a hub for translation and interpreting services. But we are simply not there yet so let’s consider why that might be the case and, more to the point, what we can do about it. Harnessing this fantastic opportunity would create more jobs and place Australia on a world stage as a language services leader. After all, we are one of the most diverse nations on the planet.
Those of us that have been around for a while, are probably aware that the translation market in Australia is quite competitive. Entry into this space is relatively easy and price is often the only thing that some companies choose to compete on. In practice, this means cutting corners, paying people less and sending work overseas, creating risk for service users. Translators that are based outside of Australia may not be familiar with our lingo. Think fall, fanny pack or drugs. Apart from spelling and accent, some English words have a completely different meaning, depending on where they’re spoken. Regional variations exist in many languages, including Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese so a good translator needs to be able capture localised meaning, expressions and turns of phrase.
Producing your multilingual resources locally makes sense because only local translators truly understand your target audience. At Polaron, we believe that ethical language services give diverse Australians a voice, by providing them with a platform to contribute to the creation of multilingual resources.
When it comes to producing crucial in-language information for our communities, it is also important to consider the translation supply chain, ensuring everyone in it receivers proper remuneration and appropriate working conditions apply.
The Solution
Ensuring your translations are ethically produced does more for the community than you might think. Not only does it mean your translations are being translated by NAATI-certified Australian translators, it also means that the translations themselves will be tailor made for the audience that it is intended for.
Talk to us about practical steps you can take to make sure your translations are tailored to the needs of the communities you serve and are ethically produced.
How Polaron Can Help
At Polaron, every day begins and ends with bringing positive change to the communities in which we work and live in. Australia is one of the most diverse places in the world and we are proud to be based in a country that has a strong language sector.
Engaging Australia’s communities requires expertise beyond language. Our range of services are based on sustainable and ethical practices that aim to empower and create lasting relationships between service providers and the community. Since 2000, we have been working in partnership with clients and diverse communities to deliver multilingual projects that cement our reputation as by the community, for the community.
For more information about ethical translations, and how we can help you better connect with your audience, contact our team of specialists by emailing us at translations@polaron.com.au or by calling us at 1300 88 55 61.