Should it be available in other languages?

As discussed in Other languages, producing information in languages other than English is a difficult issue and financial constraints make it even tougher.

We are probably all agreed that, in an ideal world, information on every issue would be available to everybody in a language and format that they can best access it. In this imperfect world, we need to look at whether or not translation is an effective use of resources (if any can be found).

This calculation should, like everything, be based on the needs of your target audience. Gauge how many of your target audience will not have good enough English to use the information in English. If it was translated, would it meet the need of the remaining group? Which languages would the information have to be available in for you to reach all of your target audience? How will you get your translated information to those that need it? Consider this against the cost of translation, and of any extra printing and distribution.

Tips for researching whether to translate

Research what languages might be spoken amongst your audience.

There are no official statistics on most commonly spoken community languages in the UK. Languages spoken by immigrant communities can change rapidly with world events. The National Centre for Languages has gathered what statistics, surveys and census maps there are.

Ask intermediaries what languages they most frequently encounter.

Find out what languages are most often requested from your own organisation.

Will it work in translation?

The information you are considering translating should make sense and provide clear guidance as to what to do on its own. If it depends on lots of references to other documents which are not be available in the appropriate language there may no point in translating it.

It may not be appropriate to translate written information into all languages. There may be low levels of literacy amongst the community (or the section of it you are trying to reach) that means that written information in any language is not particularly helpful.

Your organisation may not be recognised or particularly trusted by the speakers of the languages concerned.