The role of translators and interpreters in cascading crises and disasters

Purpose – This paper explains the significance of cascading crises for translators and interpreters, and how their work may be affected by such events. It provides a theoretical basis for analysis and field practice. Design/methodology/approach – We define cascades and explain how they influence the development of preparedness, mitigation and response. We identify key drivers of cascading crises and discuss how they challenge conventional approaches to emergency management. We discuss ways in which use of language could be a key factor in crisis escalation. We define priorities and operational challenges of cascading crises for translators and interpreters. In terms of methodology, this paper develops a conceptual framework that can be used for future enquiry and case history analysis. Findings – We provide a qualitative description and synthesis of the key instructions to be used in the field. We offer a short list of key questions that can be referred to by linguists and scholars. We identify situations in which translation and interpretation are important ingredients in the success of emergency preparedness and response efforts. These include multilingual populations, migrant crises, international humanitarian deployment, and emergency communication during infrastructure failures. Research limitations/implications – This work has academic value for the process of understanding cascades and practical relevance in terms of how to deal with them. Practical implications – Translators and interpreters need to understand cascading crises in order to be prepared for the challenges that such events will present. Social implications – Society has become more complex and interconnected, with non-linear cascading escalation of secondary emergencies. Emergency planners and responders need to address this in new ways. Effective communication and information strategies are essential to the mitigation of cascading disaster risk. Originality/value – The study of cascading crises from a socio-economic point of view is relatively new, but it is important because society is increasingly dependent on networks that can propagate failure of information supply.