Launched this month, the Association of Language Services of Latin America and the Caribbean (ASLALC) will be the first of its kind in the region, with dozens of LSPs already joining this month.

An organization of language service providers (LSP) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has formed to create the Asociación de Servicios Lingüísticos de América Latina y el Caribe (ASLALC), or Association of Language Services of Latin America and the Caribbean in English.

“We invite translation companies and providers of related services in Latin America and the Caribbean to become an active part of this initiative and to work towards the common good of the industry,” the group said in a press release. “This idea is just the beginning. Our proposal is to create a professional and transparent environment that goes way beyond ourselves, our companies and even national associations. By joining the Association of Language Services of Latin America and the Caribbean, you will be at the forefront of a much-needed initiative to help our region grow and develop.”

Prior to ASLALC, no international association existed to represent LSPs in the region — as ELIA does in Europe, for example — María José Alberto, president of Insight Language Solutions, said in a statement. “While LSPs in Argentina are represented by the Asociación Argentina de Servicios Lingüísticos (AASL), there were no such associations present in the other [LAC] countries,” said Alberto, who also heads AASL and who sparked the idea ASLALC.

Regarding whether public sector initiatives have created any sort of impact on the LAC language market, president of Translation Back Office Charles Campbell said, “Unfortunately, government initiatives have amounted to zero in LAC. The government is not a driver of demand for translation and interpreting in the region, as compared to Europe or North America. In fact, most LSP owners are of the view that government is a hindrance to progress and growth in LAC.”

Established in August, the group began inviting new members earlier this month, reaching over 55 LSP’s, “and new members are joining daily,” said Campbell. “In our first Zoom call, we had over 27 participants from 9 countries participating. English was chosen as the ‘official language’ for these calls — at least for now.”