Translation Matters Unit

Translation Matters

Translating in contexts of conflict and refuge

Convenors: Ángeles Carreres (ac289@cam.ac.uk) and María Noriega-Sánchez (mn316@cam.ac.uk)

The Translation Matters Unit is a cross-disciplinary forum for discussion and research on the complex realities involved in translating and interpreting in settings of conflict and displacement. By facilitating engagement among academics, practitioners, NGOs, and members of refugee and other displaced communities, our goal is to cultivate collaborative networks capable of generating meaningful impact in the lives of individuals. 

Linguistic barriers exacerbate the already formidable challenges of responding to humanitarian crises, particularly—though not exclusively—in conflict zones. In the past decade alone, armed conflicts, environmental crises, economic hardship, and political instability worldwide have blighted the lives of large populations and often resulted in mass displacement. Addressing the needs of those affected requires the involvement of large numbers of translators and interpreters, many of whom are untrained volunteers.

Beyond the initial emergency phase, individuals navigating the asylum or refugee process depend on consistent linguistic assistance within their host nations. This ongoing translation and interpreting support is vital not only for securing essential services but also for fostering long-term social inclusion and community integration.

Recent research highlights a stark mismatch: translation is key to managing crises and guaranteeing human rights, yet its importance is rarely matched by adequate infrastructure and a professionalised approach. There is frequently a reliance on ad hoc provisions that are not commensurate with the challenges and ethical dilemmas at stake. The Translation Matters Unit aims to help address this imbalance by generating opportunities for collaboration between the various stakeholders, placing language services at the centre of crisis response.

Through engagement with the communities affected and with the organisations supporting them, our Unit seeks to have an impact beyond academia. We want to contribute to wider conversations around migration, translation, and language justice.

Events:

Conference: Translating conflict and refuge: language, displacement, and the politics of representation, University of Cambridge, 24 April 2026

https://www.humanmovement.cam.ac.uk/events/translating-conflict-and-refuge-language-displacement-and-politics-representation