Author:

Keywords:

Inclusive communication, information accessibility, risk communication;, inter-, intra- and intersemiotic translation

Abstract:

Abstract During the recent pandemic, the urgent need for clear and inclusive communication in public health was particularly evident. However, recent studies (Chen 2020; Maldonado et al. 2020; Piller et al. 2020) have identified a number of shortcomings in the availability of accessible and (re)translated multilingual crisis information, and various recommendations have been developed for its improvement (O'Brien 2016, Maldonado 2020). In this context, universities play an important role as they can assist the development of accessible forms of communication in a research-based manner. These can be realised in the form of project-based cooperation between universities and public authorities. We present a project in which a strategy for more accessible and inclusive COVID 19 crisis communication was developed to meet the diverse needs of the Belgian population and overcome information inequality. This included developing communication products tailored to the specific needs of people with other languages (especially migrants) and vulnerable groups such as people with low literacy or sensory impairments. Key aspects of successful inclusive risk communication (Olofsson 2007; WHO 2020) were considered, including both inter- and intralingual translation (reader-centred paraphrasing and simplification) and various forms of intersemiotic translation (subtitles, sign language interpreters; visualisations through symbols or video) to facilitate media access. The aim of this paper is to show how universities can contribute to improving the "audience awareness" of authorities (Cho & Choi 2018) and enhancing the effectiveness of crisis communication.