NON-BINARY LANGUAGE IN PROFESSIONAL TRAINING: THE CHALLENGE OF INCLUSIVE TRANSLATION
Rosario Traducciones interviewed Mercedes Montero, translator and teacher, about the importance of this topic in an academic setting.
Whether we are translating or creating new content, considering your audience is paramount to communicate effectively and ensure that everybody is included in the message you are writing. Based on this premise, Mercedes Montero, translator, teacher and team member at Rosario Traducciones, explained how crucial non-binary language is in the training of localization professionals.
- How is non-binary language being handled in the training of professional translators?
Non-binary language has been gradually adopted in translation courses at institutes and universities as a hot topic that needs to be addressed in professional study areas.
Although it is not a stand-alone subject, it is an issue that affects several fields of knowledge included in translation studies. Theory and practice of non-binary language are included in Spanish grammar, linguistics, comparative studies, writing and translation practice. Colleagues gather at conferences, debates, talks and other extracurricular activities to discuss inclusive language, which results in an exciting exchange of opinions. Above all, I believe that the emphasis should be on generating professional awareness and responsibility regarding the language and its usage when it comes to translation and localization.
At the institutional level, non-binary language is slowly being adopted in official communications and daily conversations among teachers and students.
I celebrate the fact that this is not an imposition but rather a linguistic alternative available for those who wish to adopt it and act as linguistic models for their students.
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- Do you think this topic should be approached as part of the translation training programs?
It is still a controversial topic that generates a lot of interest among those who are in translation training. I consider it essential, since the teachers’ role is to prepare professionals to enter the labor market for them to be familiar with the latest linguistic trends that are relevant in the historical and cultural context we live in.
This subject is gaining momentum, with more professionals eager to learn and more study programs adding it to their curriculums. I believe this topic affects several fields of study and cannot be postponed or overlooked – it must be an integral part of the training process of all translators-to-be.
- Do you feel there will be any resistance from the academic field?
I think so. But a partial resistance. There is a group of instructors who still consider non-binary language as a threat to the integrity of the Spanish language, and they strongly oppose its implementation. But others introduce it into their own language practice and make it an object of study and make it a learning opportunity in the classroom.
It is noted that there are differences in usage and different morphological variants available. Some people use the suffix -e, some choose the suffix -x, and others use the suffix -@ to inflect nouns, adjectives and pronouns in Spanish. Some even combine these alternatives in their discourse. And others prefer to use indirect strategies like duplication, abstract nouns, and paraphrasing, among others.
There is no institutional resistance to the topic itself. There is a willingness to address this linguistic change seriously and responsibly. The decision is up to each teacher and how important they consider this topic to be.
- What methods and strategies do you think translators should use to apply inclusive language?
Translators need to take a critical stand and develop analytical skills towards language and its usage. Professional translation requires us to distance ourselves from our personal usage and analyze different speaking communities objectively to determine which linguistic approach is the most effective for each context. We should remember that when we translate, we work with the voice of those who entrusted us with their texts. It is important to analyze which linguistic options should be used regarding gender, trying not to be influenced by our personal vision of the world. We must develop the ability to compare and contrast subtleties in usage and evaluate them based on the target audience for our translation to achieve its intended effect.
I believe it involves developing empathy for our audience and wondering how they would like to be addressed and talked to. Translators should ask themselves whether the linguistic response and the emotional reaction generated in the audience will match their clients’ expectations. In all cases, translators are linguistic mediators. The way we use our language should be at the service of other people's interests and needs, without exception.
For this very reason, it is important to develop linguistic sensitivity to perceive the changes in language usage that are taking place in different social groups, Spanish-speaking regions, and in all economic, scientific and cultural activities. It is fundamental for translators to analyze these changes objectively to make the best decisions, focusing on effective communication.
It is not about favoring a linguistic standard over another, nor offending those who think differently. It is not about who is right or wrong; that debate would lead nowhere. It is about broadening horizons to learn how communities use language differently, grow and profit from diversity to address different groups the way they want to be addressed and fulfill the requirements of those who entrust us with their texts.
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