Elevating each other: strategies for women to support women in translation

The translation industry, like many other fields, thrives on the collective support and collaboration of its members. For women in this sector, building a nurturing community can greatly benefit both their personal and professional development.

In honor of Women in Translation Month (#WITMonth), which focuses on celebrating and advancing the contributions of female translators and the works of women in translation, this article explores how women can create a supportive network to uplift and promote each other’s achievements.

Here are some strategies for women to strengthen their connections and enhance each other's success in this dynamic field:

The power of honest praise

Women in translation are the majority in the line of work, but (maybe not so?) surprisingly, the most visible and heard voices still relatively stay the domain of male colleagues. Women in the workplace need more positive encouragement to step into the spotlight than male colleagues. By being supportive and encouraging colleagues to each other, women can hope to see more women step up and shine. 

To do this, female linguists can openly and honestly praise each other for their achievements. Some women rarely receive positive feedback as a “cog in the machine” of the language services providers’ world. Women can do it for each other, though!

Mutual growth through mentorship

Mentoring each other in their domains of expertise can also be profitable to both female mentor and female mentee. We all have different strong suits, and if we work together to share the knowledge and expertise, we can all better ourselves. Mentoring is not a one-way street of more experienced women passing on knowledge to younger or inexperienced women. Women should aim for mutual growth. For example, if an experienced translator has been using a certain technology for many years, they may have missed out on more recent developments. This would be an area where a colleague with experience in more recent tools could step in to help.

Networking and collaboration

Building true community through networking and collaboration is key. It’s important to create personal contacts and foster an atmosphere of care and support. Regular, structured networking can be organized through various channels to promote mutual support and build relationships. For example, setting up a WhatsApp group and sharing content and discussion prompts on Facebook and other social media channels can be effective. Remember, the collective wisdom and experience of many can be more powerful than the knowledge of a few.

Advocacy and awareness

Raising awareness about the contributions and challenges faced by women in translation is essential. Women can advocate for each other by highlighting success stories, sharing best practices, and promoting fair treatment and equal opportunities in the workplace. Writing articles, participating in panels, and engaging in social media campaigns are effective ways to bring attention to important issues and drive positive change.

Educational opportunities

Continual learning is vital in the ever-evolving field of translation. Women can support each other by organizing and participating in workshops, training sessions, and seminars that focus on skill development and industry trends.

By offering webinars and sharing blog posts —particularly bite-size contributions which are easy to digest by busy women, including those juggling work and family— women can help each other to expand their knowledge in an accessible way.

Creating platforms for knowledge sharing, such as discussion groups and online forums, can also foster a culture of continuous improvement and mutual support.

Emotional support and encouragement

Women can set up safe spaces for other women in the industry to find support and a caring, nurturing atmosphere. Women can use their strengths to make sure that every woman who enters into these spaces is looked after and feels confident that she will be taken seriously and that her concerns will be addressed, providing encouragement and constructive guidance where needed. For example, when seeing another woman being dismissed or ignored, other women can step in and speak up in her support and invite her to join safe spaces.

Professional associations and groups

Joining professional associations and groups dedicated to women in the industry such as Women in Localization and the ProZ.com Women in Translation initiative can provide a structured environment for support and empowerment. These organizations often offer resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts specifically aimed at advancing the interests of women in the industry. Participation in such groups can provide a sense of solidarity and collective strength.

Promoting diversity and inclusion

Supporting each other also means promoting diversity and inclusion within the translation industry. Women can uplift one another by advocating for diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all, and challenging discriminatory practices. Embracing diversity enriches the profession and creates a more vibrant and inclusive community.

Building an inclusive future in translation

The translation industry thrives on diversity, collaboration, and continuous learning —values that resonate deeply with the goals of empowering women within the field. By actively supporting each other through mentorship, networking, and advocacy, women can not only advance their own careers but also pave the way for future generations. It’s through these collective efforts that we can build a more equitable and inclusive industry where every woman has the opportunity to succeed.

This is a collaborative blog post written by the following linguists as part of the Women in Translation initiative.