Development in so many words: The Oxfam GB experience

Sanz Martins, Alberto

doi:10.1075/ts.00006.san

Article published In: Translation and Interpreting in Non-Governmental Organisations
Edited by Wine Tesseur
[Translation Spaces 7:1] 2018
► pp. 106–118

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Development in so many words

The Oxfam GB experience

Alberto Sanz Martins | Translations Manager, Oxfam GB

Published online: 10 August 2018

https://doi.org/10.1075/ts.00006.san

Abstract

This article describes the trajectory of Oxfam GB as an international organisation, its structure, the way it operates and the linguistic issues that led to the creation of a professional translation service. It explores the ongoing challenges and the kind of support translation researchers could provide to help resolve them, with the goal of developing better professionals in the broader development sector.

Keywords: international development, NGOs, translation policy, language policy, institutional translation, academic-NGO collaboration, organisational change

Article outline

Introduction to Oxfam GB and the Oxfam confederation
Structure of Oxfam GB and translation needs
Situation prior to the creation of the Translations Team
Creation of the Translations Team
Other Translations Teams in the confederation
Adapting to changing needs and new structures
The importance of the translation policy
Ongoing challenges
Support from academia
References

References (10)

References

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Footitt, Hilary. 2017. “International Aid and Development: Hearing Multilingualism, Learning from Intercultural Encounters in the History of OxfamGB.” Language and Intercultural Communication 17 (4): 518–533.

Hayman, Rachel, Angela Crack and, Hilary Footitt. 2014. “Cracking Collaboration?” Paper presented at the TRIG Conference: Translation Research for Industry and Governance Conference. Brussels, December 11, 2014.

Lehtovaara, Heini. 2009. Working in Four Official Languages: The Perceptions of OGB Employees on the Role of Language in Internal Communication. Masters thesis, Helsinki School of Economics.

Oxfam. n.d.a. “History of Oxfam”. Oxfam GB. Accessed March 1, 2018. [URL].

. n.d.b. “About us”. Oxfam GB. Accessed March 1, 2018. [URL].

Oxfam GB. 2011a. “Translations Team’s Overarching Objective”. Unpublished internal document.

. 2011b. “Oxfam GB’s Translation Policy”. Unpublished internal document.

Pym, Anthony, Gabriel González Núñez, Marta Miquel-Iriarte, Sara Ramos Pinto, Carlos Teixeira and Wine Tesseur. 2014. “Work Placements in Doctoral Research Training in the Humanities: Eight Cases from Translation Studies.” Across Languages and Cultures 15(1): 1–23.

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