Translation in Context: Why we do it
The Multilingual Project is a nonpartisan, multimedia research, advocacy, and translation company on a mission to create a more robust and responsive multilingual education system. TMP leverages cutting-edge research, strategic advocacy, and seamless translation services to empower organizations, businesses, schools/districts, and communities with the multilingual expertise they need to thrive.
At TMP, we recognize the pervasive and prevalent role that language barriers play in preventing and slowing the allocation of critical resources, information, and access to multilingual communities. And in a country where 51% of U.S. adults concur that English should be the official language– causing rippling policy effects– it’s never been more important to expand language accessibility and all it has to offer.
Our slogan, “Beyond Words, Into Worlds”, helps us embody this ethos holistically. We operate as the strategic partner for organizations, businesses, schools/districts, and other institutions to structurally and systematically incorporate principles of language accessibility into and across their work, helping them expand their multilingual footprints and contributing to our collective mission of creating a more robust and responsive multilingual education system.
Translation in Practice: How we do it
The Multilingual Project holds a radical belief that a multilingual world is a better one. Translation, by definition, is the process of converting text from one language to another. A framework for creating bridges between people, systems, and impact.
At TMP, we believe language accessibility is a two-way value proposition. Just as much as communities are transformed by the access, opportunities, and dignity it creates– the same can be said for those serving as its conduits. When institutions expand their multilingual footprints, they’re able to better connect with stakeholders, better serve their populations, and design products and solutions more aligned with community needs and interests.
Guiding businesses and organizations through this process— and doing so strategically— is what we refer to as “Language Transformation”, one of our core focus areas here at The Multilingual Project. This involves creating a strategic translation plan aligned with organizational priorities, tracking translation data and outcomes, and celebrating organizational efforts and success across our communication streams — going beyond words and into worlds.
Interpretation: A Tool for Multilingual Accessibility?
Interpretation serves a different, yet parallel purpose. While translation is the conversion of written text between languages, interpretation involves the conversion of spoken words, often utilized in real-time to facilitate language accessibility.
As the sister of translation, interpretation is fundamental for providing linguistic dignity in traditionally monolingually-dominant spaces. For example, at events or large gatherings, interpretation ensures that not a single guest or stakeholder is left out of the conversation, making them feel more welcomed, appreciated, and respected for the culture and nuance they bring into the room.
At this time, The Multilingual Project LLC does not offer interpretation services. However, through our research, advocacy, and translation efforts, we aim to build a more robust and responsive multilingual education system— one where interpretation — just as translation — is not only viewed as a structural tool for language accessibility, but recognized for the immense value they bring to multilingual and traditionally monolingual communities alike.
The Multilingual Project is a nonpartisan, multimedia research, advocacy, and translation company on a mission to create a more robust and responsive multilingual education system. TMP leverages cutting-edge research, strategic advocacy, and seamless translation services to empower organizations, businesses, schools/districts, and communities with the multilingual expertise they need to thrive.