Translation services for nonprofits are vital for international and targeted community programs. However, providing translation, interpreting services, and other language services does not come without obstacles. Some of these are systemic; other tied to the changes in the way we work today. Here are some of the biggest challenges for organizations seeking international development translation services:
1. Translation Services for Nonprofits And Compensation
Unlike regular businesses, nonprofits don’t exist to make money. This subjects contractors and in-house language service providers to a degree of instability when it comes to payment.
A for-profit organization has as a goal generating revenue for the owner of the business or its stakeholders. The goal of a nonprofit is to provide a pre-defined benefit for the public.
Non-profits typically have three predominant sources of funds: donations, grants from foundations or state and federal governments, and selling products and services. Since nonprofits rely on funding, they often face constraints in the design and execution of their programs. This can be problematic for nonprofits in international development who frequently need to hire linguists specializing in humanitarian projects and regional languages.
2. Translation Services for Nonprofits Bridging the Language Gap
There is a gap in linguistic access to social communications, which hurts the quality of life and treatment of those living in countries with fledgling economies or precarious circumstances. One of the biggest challenges in translation for nonprofits is serving underrepresented languages. It’s absolutely essential that every single person should understand non-profit communications, especially when public health is at stake. Luckily, professional healthcare translation can help.
Currently, Google only offers its services in about 100 languages. Meanwhile, there are thousands of languages across the globe. These languages are not just underrepresented; they are also commonly associated with communities with limited access to the internet. Luckily, internet-based programs providing translation for NGOs can address these problems.
3. Changing Workflows
The internet has deeply changed the workflow of translation for nonprofits, which requires adaptability on the part of language service providers. Various new online solutions have arisen recently. One example is translation platforms designed to connect nonprofit organizations with a worldwide community of specialized language professionals. Another is web-based translation management systems (TMS), whose focus is improving human translation processes for nonprofits. Some language organizations are dedicated to bringing all the languages of the world online to raise international accessibility.
Consolidated online jobs boards are another approach. The language organizations behind this endeavor make sure to post jobs and different language needs. Some of these organizations bridge the gap by creating programs where international aid translators with less experience take on unpaid projects.
Offline, there are emerging shifts as well, as we begin to see more specialized agencies whose focus are the public sector and nonprofit translation services. Another trend is development organizations that work to cultivate their local, national, and international relationships.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
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