Your translators and interpreters
Translating texts in the non-profit sector entails a special responsibility. After all, the translation should effectively convey the message, connect organizations internationally, and ideally have a social impact. Not just precision and clarity, but also transcultural understanding and respectful, sensitive writing are paramount. Moreover, NGOs and social institutions often require translations into simplified language. Here, the translator must sensitively assess the target audience: too much simplification could be seen as arrogant, too little would be overwhelming.
Alexandra and Pavel regularly translate from German into English and vice versa for NGOs and other non-profits. Topics we work on include human rights, integration and diversity, contemporary history, postcolonialism, migration, feminism and gender, sexuality and identity, online politics and democracy, anti-Semitism, racism, LGBTQ*, and empowerment. In addition to reports and brochures, we edit and translate grant proposals: thanks to our experience in academia, we are familiar with the relevant conventions.
They also have experience translating transcripts of scientific conferences, which requires not only awareness of the terminology but also a balancing act between retaining the spoken quality and ensuring good readability. This is where Alexandra’s experience as a literary translator comes into play alongside her academic expertise.
At congresses, symposia, conferences, meetings, etc., live subtitling in another language might be an option – a speech in German might be summed up in writing in English – but at such speed only a summary rather than a full translation is possible. If the participants have no hearing issues, simultaneous interpreting is usually the better option. Depending on the format, consecutive interpreting is also an option.
Alexandra and Pavel place great importance on inclusive, sensitive language in their translations. This is particularly important when translating and interpreting for initiatives and foundations that campaign against discrimination. Without enough experience and interest, one might miss terms that have a stigmatizing effect, reinforce prejudices or could offend. The translator or proofreader (sensitivity reader) must take care to use neutral, respectful wording – to use self-designations rather than external labels, avoid generalizations, and always check what is current and acceptable today. Sensitive translation into German is somewhat more complex than into English. For example, it is difficult to write about non-binary people, as no pronoun has yet become established (there appears to be a trend for the English “they,” though). Gender remains a contentious issue in German: every word has a gender; one way to speak of, say, both female and male translators is to use the so-called “gender asterisk”: Übersetzer*innen. Some customers prefer to avoid them, though; in such cases, we ensure inclusion with paraphrases. Translating the English term “race” is also notoriously difficult – but standards for sensitive translation are gradually emerging. By the way: “politically correct translation” is the phrasing that tends to be used by people who are skeptical of it; “sensitive translation” is preferable.