No hablo español? No problem.

10 tips for creating great bilingual content when you don't speak Spanish

In our increasingly interconnected world, public media organizations often find themselves faced with the challenge of producing material that transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries. But what if you don’t have language fluency?

This tension is an unspoken one for many in public media. 🤫 It creates anxiety, or prompts us as organizations to avoid creating bilingual content. If you’re ready to tackle that fear and open yourself up to bilingual content, even if you don’t have the skills, I have some ideas for you. 👓

It goes without saying that hiring producers fluent in Spanish is best. 👍🏽 Your organization benefits by having those who are not only conversant in the languages involved, but who also understand the cultural subtleties. This ensures accurate communication and helps in preserving the authenticity of the message. In cases where staff is not available, bilingual collaborators who understand the subject matter and cultural context can also be the best decision you can make.

I write, assuming you know this, and have exhausted this option. So, how can your newsroom or public media organization approach multilingual content if you don’t have the necessary staffing? 🤔

Here are some best practices to help media producers overcome linguistic challenges:

With a source, acknowledge language gaps respectfully. ❌ Never assume English fluency or lack of knowledge. Ask interviewees their preferred language. Admit when you don't grasp something fully. 

Learn some key phrases in the language. Mastering basics like greetings shows respect. Listeners appreciate hearing familiar terms pronounced correctly. Just avoid using phrases you don't fully understand. ⛔ Also, I don’t know anyone who’s gotten fluent from Duolingo or the apps we’ve all seen ads for. That’s partially because they miss the part of language you’ll need as a journalist or content creator: going beyond the first question and into the seventh, eighth and ninth exchange in an interaction. These the places where trust is built.

So, plan interviews strategically. Building a relationship with your sources is crucial. Even if you don't share a common language, sincere gestures of respect, active listening and empathy can bridge gaps and foster trust. 💙 Take the time to understand your sources' lives, which can contribute to more meaningful and authentic storytelling. If you are using a translator, pause frequently during interviews so they can translate full thoughts accurately.

Speaking of collaborators... Local journalists, community members or professional interpreters can translate during interviews or meetings. Evaluate their skills and subject matter expertise, not just language abilities. 📄 Discuss goals and share background materials so they understand context. Provide your interpreters or collaborators with a list of questions in advance, allowing them to prepare and ensure the conversation flows smoothly. Ask cultural advisors to review scripts to refine descriptions. And, pay fairly.

Tips for working with a translator. Use short sentences and simplify vocabulary for collaborators. Avoid slang, idioms or niche jargon. Avoid complex questions. Avoid using random references. Talk slowly and clearly. Non-verbal cues often transcend language barriers. 👌 Pay attention to body language, facial expressions, and gestures during interviews to understand the emotional undertones of the conversation. Use visuals, images, and other multimedia elements to complement your content, making it more accessible to a diverse audience. Record interviews to check details later, if needed and your source okays it.

Know who you’re talking to. Before diving into interviews or content creation, conduct thorough research on the lives and cultural nuances of your sources. 📋 Understand the social norms, customs and context to avoid unintentional misunderstandings. Also, familiarize yourself with any potential cultural taboos or sensitive topics that might affect the interview.

Understand the local vibe thoroughly. Invest time learning about the local culture, key issues and terminology relevant to your story focus. This helps formulate nuanced questions and follow conversations. Read local news in the native language via online translations as much as you can. 🌎 Respect how age, gender, economic status or geography can affect communication styles.

Use visuals and figures to aid understanding. If it helps, share photos, illustrations or data charts to clarify stories. 🌡️ Visuals translate across languages and help anchor the topic. You might try Google Translate to help with language gaps.

Allocate extra production time. Prioritize accuracy over speed. Tight deadlines invite mistakes. Plan for interviews to take twice as long with interpretation. Build in time for translations and fact-checking details. Don't paraphrase content you are unsure about. 😲 Always ask for clarification during interviews. Fact-check details methodically. Correct errors immediately. Be aware that interviews might take longer when translation is involved. Factor this into your schedule to allow for a comprehensive and unhurried discussion.

Invite audience teaching moments. Have interviewees explain culturally-specific terms or rituals. Listeners enjoy learning, and sources enjoy showing what they know. Share your content with members of the community or individuals who speak the language fluently. 🖊️ Seek their feedback on cultural accuracy, linguistic nuances, and overall representation. Be open to constructive criticism and view it as an opportunity for continuous improvement.

Remember: Creating content across language barriers requires flexibility, humility and commitment to accuracy. But exchanging ideas respectfully leads to rich storytelling and shared understanding between communities. The effort to engage authentically yields rewards.

Whether you're a journalist or content producer, encountering sources who speak a different language poses unique hurdles. However, with the right strategies, you can not only overcome language barriers but also create content that is rich, authentic and respectful of diverse perspectives. In our globalized world, effective communication across languages is not just a challenge but an essential skill for meaningful storytelling. 🟢

Cafecito: stories to discuss ☕

• Technical upgrades are at the top of Radio Bilingue’s list after receiving a $2 million grant from the state of California. 🎙️

• Seeking to better mirror their diverse city, the San Antonio Report started tracking the demographics of sources quoted in early 2023, finding only 27 percent were Latino versus 60 percent of the local population. 🧮 After making concerted efforts to improve sourcing diversity, the Report raised its share of Latino sources to 41 percent within months based on its latest tracking data.

• Anchor Jorge Ramos (famously kicked out of a Trump press conference in 2015) has joined the chorus of those critical of Univision following the network’s interview with the former president. 😠

• America Amplified’s Alisa Barba offers a new case study on WNIJ’s listening efforts to reach Spanish-speaking community members. The station utilized a Day of the Dead altar as a starting point to create conversation. 💀

• Greater Public is surveying individuals in public media to gather feedback on DEI practices within public media. 🔊 Your feedback may help identify opportunities for improvement. Responses will remain anonymous and cannot be tied to your organization. Details here.

El radar: try this 📡

• Engage Latinx voters. 🗳️ Ahead of the 2024 election, Little Rock Public Radio covers the Arkansans working to engage Hispanic voters, one of the fastest-growing electorates in the country and the state. Probably good to start gearing up on this vital subject.

• Investigate food insecurity. The Conversation digs into the latest data around food deserts and related matters that disproportionately affect Hispanic families. 🥑 How respondents address questions may be core to discrepancies in the results. It’s likely data and a subject you can localize and find people willing to discuss.

• Focus on local art. Chicano art is experiencing a renaissance across galleries in the country, including in San Antonio, which gets reporting via Texas Public Radio. 🎨 The local museum strives to make the artwork inviting through accessible themes and artists that elicit a sense of belonging, including pieces that range from photorealistic pastries to altars memorializing lost migrant lives.

• Check in on local schools. WFAE learned how Latinx enrollment is up in the region, while Black and white student populations are declining. 🍎 It’s part of ongoing education coverage, and the station notes the district has long struggled to recruit bilingual teachers and principals to serve this growing population.

• Talk about intimate partner violence. Lucille Ruibal Rivera, a leading health care advocate who co-founded the Tepeyac Community Health Center in Colorado, was killed in what is believed to be a shocking murder-suicide by her boyfriend. 😔 Her loved ones remember the passionate community pillar for her tireless efforts to provide health services and resources to underserved groups across Colorado. This terrible instance is a stark reminder of how little we talk about domestic violence, but must.

The next OIGO is here Dec. 15. It’s the final OIGO of 2023. I’m bouncing a question Monday on LinkedIn about your favorite content of the year. Follow me there and share your thoughts!

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