Identifying people's needs
- Ask users their preferred language and format
- Get to know language, dialect and literacy needs
- Prioritise resources for translation by user needs
Up to one million people cannot speak English well or at all[1]. People who cannot speak English well or at all have a lower proportion of ‘good’ health than English speakers [2].
Producing translated materials
- Start with health literacy friendly materials
- Work with trusted voices in the community
- Ensure material is culturally appropriate
- Think about visual content as well as words
- Make sure information is accurate
- Pilot translations with representative users
- Common terms, like the NHS, might need explaining in translated materials
Translators – the options
Professional translators
Pros
- ✅ Considered the gold standard
- ✅ Adapt to specific scenarios
- ✅ Proactive checking
- ✅ Greater awareness of cultural sensitivities
Cons
Informal language support. This includes friends, family and volunteers
Pros
- ✅ Value should not be underestimated
Cons
- ❌ Places a burden on those providing
- ❌ Not appropriate in formal healthcare settings
Technology-assisted translation also known as AI or machine translation
Pros
- ✅ Free or low cost option
Cons
- ❌ Less likely to be accurate for specialised contexts
- ❌ Less likely to make intuitive connections
- ❌ Many non-European languages are not supported or are less accurate
- ❌ May be issues with clinical quality assurance
Association of Translation Companies (ATC) membership is the mark of quality language services. View the ATC guide to translation for charities here.
References
- www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity/demographics/english-language-skills/latest/
- www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/language
Further resources
- PIF Health Literacy Matters poster
- PIF Co-production Matters poster
Published by the Patient Information Forum Ltd. Updated November 2024. Next review date: February 2027.
