Atlanta, Georgia
Toll Free: 1-800-270-7674
Outside US: 678-367-3781
Atlanta, Georgia
Toll Free: 1-800-270-7674
Outside US: 678-367-3781
In the aftermath of Typhoon Merbok, which devastated Alaska’s west coast in September 2022, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sought to assist impacted communities by translating disaster relief application materials into Indigenous languages. However, the effort fell apart due to grossly inaccurate translations, leaving many Alaska Natives unable to access critical information.
The agency hired Accent on Languages, a California-based company, to translate information into Yugtun (Central Yup’ik) and Iñupiaq, spoken by thousands across the region. Unfortunately, the translations were unintelligible. Yugtun-speaking residents noted that the documents bore no resemblance to their language. Similarly, Iñupiaq translations were riddled with errors, some even rendered in the Inuktitut alphabet, a language and script native to Northeastern Canada. This misstep not only wasted federal funds but also insulted Indigenous communities, many of whom have fought to preserve their languages after a history of forced assimilation.
Experts called the translations incomprehensible and offensive. Linguist Gary Holton revealed that portions were likely copied from a Soviet-era compilation of folklore, bearing no relevance to the intended content. FEMA eventually removed the erroneous documents and hired an Alaska-based company to correct the errors. Still, the $27,800 paid to Accent on Languages stands as a stark reminder of the cost of failing to provide culturally competent services when they are most needed.
For reliable and culturally accurate translation services that truly connect with diverse communities, contact World Translation Center today. We’re here to ensure your message is understood, no matter the language.
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