LATEST ISSUE
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retty much everyone supports the idea of inclusion and believes in equal access to opportunities and resources. But actually achieving this universal goal is trickier than it might seem. Welcoming words and open doors can only go so far without actions that remove deeper barriers to participation. That can mean investing in technologies that help people transcend disabilities or distance. It can mean bringing translation and interpretation services to marginalized communities. Or it could mean venturing outside your comfort zone to mentor a disadvantaged student or advocate for language access rights.
This issue of MultiLingual magazine highlights how different facets of the language industry are tackling this topic. In his opinion piece, Jace Norton argues that inclusion of indigenous-language speakers will rely heavily on human linguists for the foreseeable future, as artificial intelligence (AI) is nowhere near ready to handle low-resource languages. Next, game localization experts Belén Agulló García and Carme Mangiron explain the effect of user experience design choices on inclusion. Finally, Manuela Rosso-Brugnach and Laÿna Droz assert that including a multiplicity of languages in environmental policy discussions can lead to more sustainable and just outcomes.
Our cover profile this month features three remarkable women — sisters, in fact — who pursued language careers and now lead localization programs at influential technology companies. Through their volunteer work, they’re giving back to others in the field because they believe success doesn’t happen alone. In the spirit of inclusion, let’s all consider what we can do to lift others up, within the profession and beyond.
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Event Recap
ALCA 2025: Africa’s Role in the Global Language Services Industry
This year’s Association of Language Companies in Africa Conference confirmed that Africa’s language industry is not waiting to be invited into the global conversation — it is already claiming its place as an essential player in the localization ecosystem.
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PAST TENSE
A Fourth Type of Translation
Prompted by his own experience of co-authoring an article with AI, the author explores a “fourth type of translation” — that between human and machine. He considers the protocols for AI collaboration: At what point does assistance cross into ghostwriting? When does augmentation become abdication?
Perspective
AI and Indigenous Language Access
Magic cure or arrogance?
By Jace Norton
The author discusses the role of AI in Indigenous language access, arguing that AI has little practical value for Indigenous language interpretation largely because Indigenous and other low-resource languages lack the massive datasets needed for AI to function effectively for interpretation and translation.
Games
Making Games Accessible
An immersive player experience for all
By Belén Agulló García and Carme Mangiron
Universal design aims to create environments and products that are usable by as many people as possible, regardless of age, size, ability, disability, or background. The authors argue that universal design in video games should be an intrinsic part of creating an excellent user experience rather than an afterthought.
Community
The Vargas Sisters and the Art of Rising Together
How three siblings transformed linguistic talent into tech influence — and grew without growing apart
Originally from Peru, Karla, Karina, and Kathy made their way to the United States and eventually reached the top of the localization industry. This is their story: one of resourcefulness over resources, of lifting while climbing, and of proving that sometimes the most revolutionary act in business is refusing to succeed alone.
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Language
Lost in Translation? Language as a Gateway to Environmental Connection
By Manuela Rosso-Brugnach and Laÿna Droz
By exploring how different linguistic traditions frame human relationships with the natural world, the authors illustrate how language influences our views on sustainability and argue that embracing multilingualism has tangible impacts on how environmental challenges are addressed.
Business
Lessons in Localization for Startups and Emerging Companies
Based on his experience helping technology startups build localization programs, the author shares common pitfalls that emerging companies often encounter when localizing their products — and presents strategies for avoiding them. He concludes with a call to language service providers to appeal to emerging businesses early in their development.
Creating a Practical Localization Control Framework
When expanding into new markets, brands that introduce centralized control over multilingual content grow with greater consistency and confidence. This article presents an actionable plan for developing a localization framework that gives brands direct control over messaging, enabling them to communicate technical and design differentiation that justifies premium pricing globally.
Sponsored Content
Peter Reynolds
Investing in Tomorrow’s Language Technology
Supported by memoQ
In this interview, memoQ’s CEO, Peter Reynolds, deconstructs the company’s approach to customer service and translation technology, its vision for the future, and why he believes the big changes of recent years pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
Scaling Quality Through Human–AI Collaboration
Supported by Translated
Head of Quality Helen Corfield explains how Translated is addressing the growing challenges localization managers face, going beyond TMs and glossaries to safeguard accuracy, consistency, and brand voice.
Welcome to the Future of Memory
Supported by Blackbird.io
When teams drown in content debt and AI models starve for context, Blacklake offers a way out. It’s the first data lakehouse built for content and language operations — ingesting, connecting, and structuring every piece of multilingual memory across systems.
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