Ethics at the Intersection of Crisis Translation and Humanitarian Innovation

Abstract

Language and its translation are important operational concerns in humanitarian crisis response. Information sharing, coordination, collaboration and relationship-building all revolve around the ability to communicate effectively. However, doing so is hampered in many humanitarian crises by linguistic differences and a lack of access to adequate translation. Various innovative practices and products are being developed and deployed with the goal of addressing these concerns. In this theoretical paper, we critically appraise the ethical terrain of crisis translation and humanitarian innovation. We identify ethical issues related to three broad themes. First, we foreground questions of justice in access to translation and its prioritisation in contexts of widespread and pressing needs. Second, we consider the relationship between humanitarian ethics and the ethics of crisis translation. We argue for the importance of attending to epistemic justice in humanitarian crisis response, and consider how Ricoeur’s conception of linguistic hospitality provides insights into how relationships in humanitarian settings can be understood through the lens of an ethics of exchange while also acknowledging the steep asymmetries that often exist in these contexts. Finally, we identify issues related to how translation innovations intersect with humanitarian values and humanitarians’ ethical commitments.

Researching Displaced Persons During COVID-19

“…Translation and interpreting are indeed fundamental in creating relationships and opportunities for communication and exchange. In addition to facilitating effective communication, linguistic mediation, ideally through professional interpreters, could neutralise negative impacts and strengthen relationships among researchers and participants (Hunt et al, 2019;Pittaway et al, 2010). However, the provision of translation and interpreting is still deficient in NGOs and public service providers supporting migrants and refugees (Jiménez-Andrés, 2021).…”

“…As stated by CartONG (2020), it is recommended that attention be paid to the negative view of these tools prior to data collection. Engaging interpreters and cultural mediators in the study can also build more trust with participants (Hunt et al, 2019;Pittaway et al, 2010).…”

Ethics and crisis translation: insights from the work of Paul Ricoeur

“…How exact does the match need to be between what the communicator means and what the receiver understands her to mean? In a humanitarian setting, this quality (or correspondence) often must be balanced against the urgency of the situation (Hunt et al , in press) or the lack of availability of highly trained professional translators (O’Mathúna et al , in press). When viewed through Ricoeur’s lens that perfect translation is not possible, it may become easier to accept adequate correspondence.…”

“…Machine translation has been used successfully in humanitarian crises, including during the 2010 Haiti earthquake where a machine translation engine was created rapidly to translate text messages from Creole to English (Lewis et al , 2011). Such technologies have many benefits, but their use in crisis settings also raises several ethical challenges reviewed elsewhere (Hunt et al , in press). Some of these ethical concerns include the possibility of algorithmic bias in machine translation systems (where systematic errors in the technology can lead to constant and systemic unfairness), the possibility of reinforcing marginalisation since technologically mediated translation is less feasible for languages spoken by fewer people, and justice concerns around access to technology and its required infrastructure.…”

“…Although various definitions of a crisis have been proposed, three conditions are generally present: expectations that have been violated, significant threats and the need for a response (Sellnow and Seeger, 2013). Elsewhere, we have adapted the work of Sellnow and Seeger to define crisis translation “as the act of transferring meaning and cultural encodings from one language/cultural system to another, either in written, oral, or signed modes, before, during or after a crisis” (Hunt et al , in press). Within this understanding of crisis translation, our focus here is on humanitarian crises where responders are not proficient in local languages.…”