Scholarly research (articles and books) on community-based education initiatives for translation and interpretation  

Community Translation/Interpretation

Boéri, Julie and Maier, Carol (ed.) (2010). Translation/interpreting and social activism

Abstract: The contributions can be divided into texts concerned with the theory and practice of politically-aware T/I practitioners on the one hand, and articles and case studies reporting research on the political implications of T/I on the other.
Keywords: Interpreting, Social Justice

Taibi & Ozolins (2016). Community Translation

Abstract: The book seeks to define community translation as a language service meant to empower communities of minority speakers by making written information available in their language. It is useful for a wide audience, including current practitioners, students of translation, and a general audience interested in aspects of minority language communities and their full participation in society. The authors effectively situate community translating as a practice distinct from international translating and community interpreting. Moreover, the authors argue for a functionalist approach to translation which places the empowerment and social context of minority groups at the forefront.
Keywords: Community Translation, Overview, Social Justice

Ada Volkmer (2018). Language Justice Curriculum: A Resource for Interpreters, Center for Participatory Change

Abstract: People in Western NC define language justice in many different ways: as cultural organizing, self-determination, racial justice, and organizing across lines of language. Language justice challenges English as the dominant language and highlights historical and current power dynamics. It questions the notion that not speaking English is a deficiency. And it honors speaking all languages - including familial and ancestral languages, accents, regionalisms, and code switching - as an important part of a community's power.
Language Justice Interpreters: This includes the creation of an Interpreter Club for bilingual and multilingual youth, the continuation of monthly practice sessions for community interpreters, annual language justice trainings, and the dissemination of the CPC Language Justice Curriculum. (p.9)
Keywords: Interpreting, Teaching Curriculum, Social Justice

Sahar Fathi (2020). The right to understand and to be understood Urban activism and US migrants’ access to interpreters

Abstract: This chapter traces language access policies in both local government and at the detention centres, and the community-led solutions behind them. The first section of the chapter presents a brief history of the US government, the US Department of Justice and its interactions with limited English-proficient (LEP) populations, and urban activism at the local level of government, particularly in creating local Offices of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. The second section presents a brief analysis of both government and detention centres, showing the inadequate access to language access in detention centres and then discussing both the role of the interpreter and government challenges in providing better language access. Finally, the last section highlights community-led solutions. It describes how local activism and local government can put pressure on higher levels of government to change standards, local legal defence funds advocated for by urban activists, local language access programmes (including a case study of New York City’s programme), and a brief critique of the role of urban activism in interpretation and translation.
Keywords: Court Interpretation, Social Justice