Translator Bangla (Bengali)

“Language justice means the freedom, accessibility, acceptability & adaptability of using language, be it oral, written, sign or any other form, to express oneself the way one intends to. Language justice includes freedom from hierarchical hegemony where formal linguistic forms prevail over colloquial forms. It means resources like translation and interpretation services that ensures one’s linguistic expression.”

Turkish Team

“A world with language justice is a world in which the language that a person speaks does not in any way influence their access to the rights and privileges that the majority in power benefits from.”

Afghan Languages Team

“Respond Crisis is an amazing team. They take people by the hand, and help everyone in the community who are in need, especially refugees. It’s my pleasure and pride to be a part of this wonderful family.“

Portuguese Translator

“In many ways, my involvement in language access work has had a similar impact on my personal and professional life as direct legal services has. It requires me to listen to others in detail, and ask many questions (and often the same ones) in several ways to reach as true an understanding I can of an individual’s lived experiences. As an aspiring attorney, I find that is an invaluable trait that will prepare me to represent my clients’ stories and interests as best I can.”

Mandarin Translator

“Respond has allowed me to be a part of its passionate and dedicated team helping people from across the world. It's an honorable experience and community I'm proud to be a part of.”

Mandarin Translator

“I’m very passionate about language and touched by some members’ personalities - people at Respond are so nice. Most importantly, I am glad to be able to actually help people in need using my translation and management skills.“

Armenian Translator

“Language justice and language access are very important issues to me. Being a refugee or asylum seeker is a very vulnerable state to be in. Not being able to advocate for oneself exacerbates the already precarious position refugees find themselves in. I am committed to doing my part in providing access and assistance to those in need.“

Lingala, Swahili, Kinyarwanda & French Translator

“My motivation to be part of Respond is to contribute to fair trials. My translation role helps bridge the cultural differences between refugees and lawyers so the best possible cases can be made in court.“

French Translator

“Heartbroken by immigration issues occurring at the U.S.-Mexican border, Lea decided to get involved with translating after she found a post about volunteering with Respond in a Facebook group.“

Mandarin Team

“I want to help people understand the world with my translation. I want to show people different cultures neutrally.“

Head of Less Frequent and Marginalized Languages Team

“… my experience with Respond [ ] has been an adventure, and a rewarding and a learning experience. I am so thankful for getting to work with the most amazing people, doing what I love, while helping others. Is there anything better than this? I don’t think so. “

Haitian Creole Team

“When I moved to the United States 19 years ago, I did not speak English and I myself needed people to translate for me. So now, being able to help on the other side, is a great thing.“

French and Wolof Translator

“I also want to improve myself in communication, translation and be an activist on human rights and a future leader because I am a dynamic person and a hardworker who needs more opportunities to make a living for supporting my family who live from my little income. “

Undergraduate Internship and Leadership Program

“As the daughter of immigrants, I had previously been aware of the language barriers that migrants face in the United States, however supporting asylum cases has helped me realize just how systematic these barriers are. Working with Respond has reinforced how essential language services are, especially for people who are seeking asylum“

Undergraduate Internship and Leadership Program

“The most gratifying part of my internship with Respond has been making a tangible effect on an organization that has such a profound impact on the migrant community.“

Undergraduate Internship and Leadership Program

“The most rewarding part about my internship experience has been a combination of working with the purpose of language justice in mind and meeting incredible individuals who are motivated by language democracy.“

Russian and Ukrainian Translator

He grew up surrounded by Jewish Russian-speaking immigrants and was always curious about what his peers and friends were saying amongst themselves. As a result, Aaron took Russian classes and continued his Russian studies in high school and college in the states.

Spanish Translator

“My volunteer work with Respond has helped mitigate this [feel powerless] feeling as I actively supports folks moving through complicated asylum processes to overcome language barriers.“

Filipino Translator

“Translation is very important because you need to be understood clearly especially in the most dire of situations.“

Spanish Translator

“For people like us, who work with languages, Respond gives us an opportunity to stand in solidarity with asylum seekers and immigrants and defend their right to asylum, with our modest contribution in bridging language barriers and empowering and assisting them in their application process.“