LGBTIQ Translations Case Study: Speaking with the Community

Overview

Sylaba Translations partnered with the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC) to make LGBTIQ information accessible and culturally appropriate for multicultural communities. The project focused on adapting resources that explain LGBTIQ concepts in a way that fits different cultural contexts. The aim was to support understanding and inclusion while respecting existing beliefs and values.

Challenge

Although the acronym “LGBTIQ” is widely used in Western contexts, its meaning varies significantly across cultures. Terms such as gay, transgender, and intersex can be interpreted differently or may be unfamiliar. Cultural and religious taboos also limit open discussion. This can lead to confusion and isolation for multicultural LGBTIQ individuals.

Direct translation carried a risk of reinforcing stigma or creating material that felt unsafe. Some concepts required careful explanation before translation could begin, to ensure the final resources would be understood and accepted.

Solution

The project started with community engagement to understand how LGBTIQ identities were viewed in each group. A plain English guide to key terms was created to give clear explanations in a respectful and inclusive way.

This guide formed the base for translation into eight languages: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, Somali, Turkish, Arabic, Karen, and Farsi. These languages were chosen because culturally safe resources were limited.

Sylaba Translations led a cultural adaptation process before translation. NAATI-certified translators worked with community checkers to confirm that the wording was accurate and safe. When an English term could not be translated without losing meaning, the term was kept and supported with a short explanation.

This process helped each resource reflect how language and culture interact within each community. The final materials supported inclusion and used familiar, respectful language. At the same time, the resources acknowledged that language changes over time and supported safety and the right to live without discrimination.