In addition to developing culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, it is equally important to develop systems that support interpersonal communication with persons of limited English proficiency (LEP). Persons of LEP are those who do not speak English as their primary language and/or who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. Although language is just one aspect of culture, it is a very important aspect to consider when developing communication activities. Many Weed and Seed communities are home to large populations of people of LEP.
Ideally, you should develop messages and materials with the assistance of someone who is bilingual—preferably a fluent, native speaker of the language in which your target audience communicates.
Because this is not always possible, there are two suitable alternatives: adaptation and translation.
Adaptation
To adapt your message and materials, identify a common element among diverse audiences and focus on it while you change how the message is delivered. This includes changing the messenger, actors, and music as appropriate. You can also achieve adaptation by disseminating messages for a general audience through media that is preferred by the cultural group you are trying to reach.
Translation
Recruiting experienced professionals to help adapt and translate your materials is essential. Ask your partners whether they have professional translators on staff or whether they know of individuals who might volunteer their services. Other resources for locating professional translators include your local telephone book and online databases. When selecting a translator, ensure that the individual has experience with law enforcement and social services vocabulary.
Online resources for locating translators include the following:
Once the style and type of translation have been determined, the translation should be assigned to an experienced translator who specializes in the subject covered in the material, such as law enforcement or social and health services. When the translation is complete, it should be assessed by cultural and linguistic reviewers who also will check the accuracy of the translation. A language expert should conduct a final review and edit to ensure that the language level of the material is appropriate for the intended audience.
Once your key messages are translated, start a database of commonly used words and important Weed and Seed language to ensure that future messages are conveyed in the same manner as the original messages and to maintain continuity among Weed and Seed communication materials.
- Berks County Weed and Seed in Reading, PA, produces a bilingual newsletter, The Harvest. The Garfield Organization’s Garfield News also is a bilingual publication. English- and Spanish-language articles appear next to each other in these newsletters.
- Central Weed and Seed in Minneapolis, MN, distributes a Spanish-language version of its Neighborhood Newsletter.
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Project Safe Neighborhoods, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation produced an English-language advertising campaign—Don’t Lie for the Other Guy—that was translated for Spanish audiences.
