The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/665992
thelinguist.uberflip.com APRIL/MAY 2016 The Linguist 11 with the longer texts for use in the camps. "We had a web interface and people from all over the world were responding," Kov says. Within days, more than 200 translators were on board. "People were glad to help because you see this situation on the TV and you feel helpless, but when you have this talent as a translator, it's super helpful." Initially focused on the needs in Hungary, the app now has a channel for each country on the Balkan route – Austria, Croatia, Greece, Germany, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia – with information in English, Urdu, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Greek and Hungarian. Volunteers on the ground, including some from the platform newsthatmoves.org, check information on a daily basis. This is then translated into as many of the key languages as possible. Different writing systems presented major problems at first, as volunteer translators posted information in Arabic using programs that did not recognise the right-to-left text. "A lot of the text was gibberish. People were trying to help but it made no sense," says Kov. As a temporary measure, they began using Google Docs, which is set up to switch between left-to-right and right-to-left writing systems, and more recently, they have been given free use of the professional translation platform Easyling. Pashto has also proved challenging, as it is hard to find people in Europe who can translate in the language. Partnering with Refugee Phrasebook (refugeephrasebook.de) offered a solution. By incorporating the phrasebook into the app in all the key languages, they could ensure that essential information could be accessed in Pashto, even when daily news updates were not available. Wifi access The phrasebook can also be accessed offline, addressing another key problem: a lack of wifi in the camps. "The first thing people ask for when they arrive, after water, is wifi. Wifi, information and the protection of human rights are as vital as anything else," says Kov. People are desperate to contact loved ones at home or those they have been separated from during the journey. Volunteers walk around the camp with wifi and sim cards in their backpacks, letting refugees know about the InfoAid app at the same time. When they do not speak a migrant's language, volunteers can provide vital information via the app. Google Maps, Facebook, Whatsapp and other apps can also be useful, helping migrants to keep in touch with relatives, plan their routes and share updates. However, these can also create confusion, as anyone can post at any time, meaning that rumours spread easily. Given the misinformation coming from government, trust had become a big issue, so an independent app, with information that is checked carefully and can be trusted completely, is crucial. This, however, has made funding difficult, as accepting money from governments or other bodies could compromise the app's integrity and neutrality. Donations of money, time and resources have therefore come exclusively from the general public. Future developments The aim is now to let more people know about the app while raising awareness among officials about the need for communication, wifi and translation. Kov hopes that people may start to access the app before they leave their home countries. "Information always helps – it's better to know what you're looking into," she says. "There may be no sense in going through a very dangerous journey to find a closed door. We hope to preserve life by enabling people to avoid these dangers." In the coming months, she would like to be able to translate longer passages of information, fully restore the Pashto channel, and add French. "I could translate the French myself," she admits, "but I already work two hours every day on the admin, the posting, the upkeep; it really does take up my time." Volunteers are still sorely needed and the new platform makes it easy for people with relevant skills to help. When a translation is needed in a volunteer's language combination, they get a notification and can translate it if they have time; there is no minimum commitment. Kov concludes: "Doing something is a good way to fight the feeling of helplessness. I would really encourage anyone to think about how they could help and then just do it." For details, see www.migrationaid.net or to register as a volunteer, visit bit.ly/1KdUVrn. "The government was changing its policy on an almost hourly basis. There was a lot of confusion and panic" © SHUTTERSTOCK