Can a group of translators really make a difference?
by Lingo24, 24th October, 2007
The story of a successful online petition started by Lingo24 to support Iraqi interpreters.
Most people would probably say no. How can you make a difference when your job is to simply communicate a message from one language to another, interfering as little as possible in the meaning? But working in the translation industry is not always just about translating. Apart from managing our language projects and browsing through dictionaries, we at Lingo24 greatly value our network of colleagues and friends. Exchanging ideas and news on blogs, forums and industry websites is an important part of what we do everyday. Plus, there’s nothing more fun than reading the latest blog entries, sipping coffee and having a nice chat about linguistics. However, a few weeks ago we realised that chatting with other translators in the industry is not always a light-hearted coffee break pastime. After reading a series of tragic stories about Iraqi interpreters and translators, we realised that the time had come to do a bit more than just watch how our colleagues in Iraq are facing persecution, or how often their families risk kidnap and even death because of their work for the British troops. We realised that it was time to take a stand and plead for the government to increase efforts to protect Iraqi translators. This is how the idea of an online petition came about. “Better conditions for interpreters in Iraq!” was the official demand we put to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, to adopt more active measures in protecting interpreters who work in conflict zones. We posted the petition on our forum and started letting our colleagues and friends from the industry know about the initiative. The response was impressive. Our petition received over 4,200 viewings in four weeks, plus 136 signatures and plenty of messages expressing support. We were delighted to see our efforts add to those made by the media and by other organisations and people interested in the protection of human rights, by creating greater awareness about the situation of Iraqi interpreters. Four weeks after we initiated our petition, the British government announced a resolution in the case of Iraqi interpreters, declaring it will offer financial aid or the possibility to relocate for interpreters who work for the British troops in Iraq. Following these efforts, we sincerely hope that all the Iraqi interpreters and translators, not just a chosen few, will get the protection they deserve. Hopefully, excessive bureaucracy or the fulfilment of impossible requirements in their case – such as providing large sums of money – will not be obstacles in the way of their getting the protection they are due.
© Lingo24
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