Posted on the APC Forum list
Could be very useful,...have not checked out the site personally though
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Announcing Translations for Progress
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 17:13:30 -0400
From: "Brendan Luecke" <information@translationsforprogress.org>
To: <office@sbnet.ro>
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Brendan Luecke and I'm writing on behalf of
Translationsforprogress.org, an on-line database that links language
students interested in volunteering with overseas NGOs that don't have the
budget to accommodate professional translators. This free service aims to
increase communication within the international grass-roots movement and
help today's students become active in development issues early on.
Translations for Progress is a new project. We launched the site less
than a month ago and have gotten a positive response from our
participants thus far. However, we have encountered some difficulties
promoting the site in the very diffuse global NGO community. I am writing
you in hopes that Strawberry might be able to help us spread the word
about Translations for Progress. Would it be possible to send out a short
announcement about Translations for Progress to your members? Are there
any regional umbrella organizations or listservs that you might be able to
recommend for this same end?
Thank you very much for any suggestions or assistance you may be able to
provide. I have also included below an announcement about the site to
this email. If you feel it is appropriate, please forward the letter to
any parties that might find the information useful. Thank you for your
time and attention, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Best regards,
Brendan Luecke
Translations for Progress
*www.translationsforprogress.org***
* *
Translations for Progress is new public service offering free volunteer
translations to the global NGO community. The web site was created to
assist NGOs in need of translation work, but without the budget to pay for
it, and students or professionals of foreign languages who are interested
in building experience as translators, developing familiarity with
organizations in their region of interest, and contributing to a good
cause. Volunteer translators are linked with organizations by means of a
searchable online database.
By linking the needs of these two groups, Translations for Progress aims
to support the development of better communication within the
international grass-roots community, improving the ability of
organizations to meet their goals, and to help today's students become
more actively involved in social issues early on.
The need for translations, even of less than professional quality, cannot
be overstated for many NGOs in developing and even developed nations.
Often chronically short of funds, such organizations need translations to
work with the press internationally, seek funding from overseas
foundations, identify partners in foreign countries, and inform the world
community about their work. Frequently something as simple as an English
website can greatly increase scope of an organization's influence and its
ability to disseminate information, allowing it to more effectively
address the problems it seeks to solve.
Initially, Translations for Progress is targeting language students in the
United States, but eventually, the website has the capability to include
students of many languages in many nations. While students are certainly
not professional translators, more often than not anyone with solid
reading knowledge, a dictionary, and patience can put together a passable
translation of general materials, which could make a big
difference for an NGO struggling to be heard. Moreover, a slightly flawed
translation is certainly preferable to none at all for many organizations
with no alternatives.
If you feel that your organization could benefit from Translations for
Progress, or you are a student or professional interested in
volunteering as a translator, please visit our website at
www.translationsforprogress.org. This is a public service and is free of
charge, but users are required to register in order to list a profile on
the site contact translators and organizations through the database.
Please feel free and use this service frequently and extensively. As
the number of organizations increases more translators will be attracted
by the increased opportunities, and vice-versa. If you know others who
would be interested in this site, please forward them this e-mail.
Thank you very much for your time and attention, and we wish you all the
best!
Best regards,
Brendan Luecke
Translations for Progress