The Linguist

FEATURES @Linguist_CIOL JUNE/JULY The Linguist 11 German and Belarusian>Spanish. For example, Latvian> English was requested because identification documents issued in countries that used to be Soviet Union republics can contain a mix of the local language and Russian. In addition to two languages, some legal and medical documents also have a mix of typed and handwritten text. Passports issued in Ukraine during the Soviet era are in both Russian and Ukrainian, with details such as name, birth date and address written by hand. The most difficult case we had was 13 pages of medical forms from Ukrainian health institutions, typed in Ukrainian but filled in by hand in Russian and Ukrainian by various doctors. The team worked together to decipher the handwriting, combining our knowledge of medical terms, and Russian and Ukrainian language skills. Another challenge is that some Ukrainian refugees cannot understand Ukrainian well, especially older generations raised during Soviet times. However, because the documents that are requested when seeking asylum, such as passport, proof of education and medical history, are issued by government bodies, they are usually in Ukrainian. Therefore an individual might need a translator who is skilled in Ukrainian to work on their documents, but a Russian interpreter to support them during an interview with officials. This also means that informational resources need to be available in Russian and Ukrainian. Like many post-Soviet countries, Ukraine has been heavily influenced by Russian language and culture, especially in the east. Some native Ukrainians, as well as Russians living in Ukraine, are more comfortable speaking Russian. Foreign residents and students might have been introduced to Ukrainian while working and studying in the country. So it is important for host families and supporting organisations to understand that these languages are distinct. This leads to another layer of complexity: some people fear being automatically affiliated with a certain side of this war due to the language they speak. Ties between a language, geographical location and the current government of that country cannot be assumed, and it is important not to determine that a person or organisation is 'good' or 'bad' based on the language they speak. For my team this is not a major issue, since we are usually contacted in English, but our support form is available in Ukrainian and Russian, and I am always ready to mitigate any issues by adjusting to the language that the person is most comfortable speaking. Sharing information Providing language support to channels that spread resources and information globally is vital, as this plays a role in the development of the conflict and overall understanding of what people are going through. The information war can hinder Ukrainians, as well as international audiences, in deciphering the truth about what is happening in their own country, whether it be in terms of military activities or how well they are being supported by their own government and globally. It is hard to find suitably qualified interpreters, at short notice, for the many conferences and meetings taking place around the world to educate people about what is happening in Ukraine, or to express disapproval or support. It is important for affected people to know that when they share their stories they will be interpreted correctly, with attention to detail and the promise of confidentiality. This is why all Respond volunteers sign a confidentiality agreement. The work is often difficult on an emotional level, as translators of Ukrainian or Russian tend to have ties with those countries and are more likely to suffer from vicarious trauma. For me, even seeing Ukrainian town and street names in documents that have no emotional content can be triggering, because I have friends and relatives who still live there, or because I have walked that street in the past. In times of crisis, it is of great importance for translators, interpreters, volunteers and refugees to be resilient, and ready to provide and accept support in the most effective and safe way possible. Respond Crisis Translation is a collective whose members' language skills and voices are expanding access to life-saving translation support, which is key to protecting the basic human right to safety. respondcrisistranslation.org SUPPORT SERVICE At L'viv railway station, Red Cross volunteers provide food (top); and a mother holds her young child IMAGES © SHUTTERSTOCK

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