What is solidarity interpreting?

Solidarity interpreters perform simultaneous or consecutive interpretation for those who do not have access to majority languages. They take into account the role of politics in interpreting, and feel connected to a struggle and cause.

Wondering what solidarity interpreting looks like in action?

This 2-minute video showcases the language justice set-up at the 4th Peoples Health Movement Assembly in Savar, Bangladesh and introduces key concepts.

Read the complete case study here.

 

In an effort to increase language justice in civil society spaces, SASI focuses on training solidarity interpreters to support cross-movement events, meetings, and conferences in a number of South Asian languages. We see interpreting not as a mere technical activity but as a form of political activism.

Sometimes fully qualified professional interpreters who work as paid conference, medical, legal or community interpreters also engage in solidarity interpreting as volunteers or trainers. Some trained solidarity interpreters selectively take on paid work as well.