DCU Researchers Develop Comprehensive Maturity Model to Enhance Crisis Translation

Researchers at DCU have developed a Crisis Translation Maturity Model (CTMM) designed to help organizations improve their multilingual communication during crisis situations, which was published last month in In Context. The model offers a detailed framework for evaluating and enhancing translation services across 17 critical categories.

The research, conducted by Dr Patrick Cadwell, Prof Sharon O'Brien, Dr Aline Larroyed, and Dr Federico M. Federici, addresses a crucial gap in crisis communication. The model provides organizations with a structured approach to assess their translation capabilities, ranging from ad-hoc efforts to optimized, professional-standard multilingual communication.

Key features of the model include comprehensive evaluation of organizational responsibility, translation complexity, policy development, resource management, and technology integration. Each category is assessed across five maturity levels, allowing organizations to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

The of the project goal was not to create a perfect model, but to provide a tool that helps organizations better serve diverse communities during critical times. The framework is particularly significant in an increasingly globalized world where effective communication can be a matter of public safety and inclusion.

The researchers acknowledge that implementing such a comprehensive model can be challenging. They encourage organizations to customize the framework to their specific contexts and view it as an iterative process of continuous improvement.

Next steps for the research team include field testing the model across different organizations and developing supportive tools to assist in its implementation. The ultimate aim is to enhance multilingual crisis communication and reduce information inequalities during emergencies.