Special Issue on Community Translation
Special Issue on Community Translation for Equity and Inclusion: Non-Governmental Organizations and Grassroots Initiatives
Guest Editors: Anne Beinchet, Université de Moncton; Marija Todorova, The Education University of Hong Kong
This special issue aims to highlight how equity and inclusion are at the very core of community translation (CT) for diverse linguistic communities. It will explore the multiple ways in which CT contributes to advancing social justice, particularly within the contexts of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and grassroots initiatives. By shedding light on the practices, challenges, and transformative potential of community translation, this special issue seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of how translation can be leveraged as a tool for fostering equity and inclusion in society.
The relationship between translation and social justice has gained significant attention in recent years. Over the past decade, this link has been examined from multiple perspectives, highlighting the role of translation in advocacy and activism. For instance, translation has been recognized as a crucial factor in the development of civil society, particularly in post-socialist contexts such as Central and Eastern Europe (Todorova, 2018). Additionally, research on international NGOs has explored how translation practices shape global communication strategies and influence the dissemination of human rights discourses across linguistic and cultural boundaries (Tesseur, 2023). Recently, community-based translation initiatives have looked at translations as anti-racist approaches in development NGOs (Chasukwa and Crack, 2024). However, the use of community translation as a tool of inclusion in NGOs and grassroot initiatives has not yet been systematically addressed in one place.
We are interested in both theoretical and practical approaches that focus on the various aspects of community translation within the broader framework of equity and inclusion, particularly in relation to NGOs and other grassroot organisations. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Theoretical frameworks and conceptual approaches to community translation for equity and inclusion,
- Case studies of community translation initiatives implemented by NGOs and grassroots organizations aimed at addressing linguistic barriers and promoting social justice,
- Ethical considerations and power dynamics inherent in community translation practices, particularly in marginalized communities,
- The role of technology and digital platforms in facilitating community translation and services for equitable access to information and services,
- Collaborative models of community translation involving partnerships between translators, community members, and other stakeholders.
This special issue welcomes contributions from scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and NGO and grassroots members interested in translation studies, social justice, community engagement, and language rights. It will provide valuable insights for researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders seeking to understand the transformative potential of community translation in fostering equity and inclusion.
Key dates:
31 October 2025: abstract submission to the guest editors (250 words excluding references). Please email your abstract to both guest editors: anne.beinchet@umoncton.ca and marija.todorova@gmail.com (Please use Special Issue T&I in the subject line).
November, 2025: notification of abstract acceptance.
May, 2026: submission of full papers via the journal website (Please see author guidelines at https://www.trans-int.org/index.php/transint/about/submissions#authorGuidelines).
June-November 2026: peer-review and revision period
1 February 2027: deadline for submission of revised versions
July 2027: publication of the special issue.
References:
Chasukwa, M., and A. Crack. 2024. “Participatory Translation and Anti-Racism in NGO Development Work: A Method of Co-Producing Translations with Community Members.” Development Policy Review 42, no. 4: e12787.
Tesseur, W. 2023. Translation as Social Justice: Translation Policies and Practices in Non-Governmental Organizations. Routledge.
Todorova, M. 2018. “Civil Society in Translation: Innovations to Political Discourse in Postcommunist East-Central Europe.” The Translator 24(4), 353-366.
