For the first time since our community’s inception, we are excited to share with you all that starting March, we will be featuring community members whose contribution and dedication to our work have been noteworthy.
There are no set criteria but a mix of feedback and recommendations from project owners/developers, co-contributors, and us, staff members *at the moment* (if this changes, we will let you know). We are still also experimenting with our prize package but if you are a member of our Discussion Forum, you will regularly receive updates about this as we go along.
Without much further ado, we are extremely happy to announce that our first-ever Contributor of the Month is Fadoua Bouaouda!
Despite being new to the community, we have seen the remarkable commitment and passion Fadoua has displayed for making the Internet accessible. She has helped make CENO, Tella, Check, SAFETAG, and several other internet freedom tools accessible in Arabic. She was always almost one email away if we needed support or if we had clarifications or questions.
Thank you, Fadoua. It’s a pleasure to present you to our partners and the community.
We invite you to learn more about her and her culture and why she volunteers with us in our interview with her below;
LL: What made you decide to volunteer as a Localization Lab contributor? When did you join the community?
FB: I joined the community last spring. Given my spare time, I decided to do something fulfilling with my life. I wanted to be part of a community where I could learn and contribute. Volunteering with Localization Lab has allowed me to make a positive impact and connect with contributors from different countries and cultures.
LL: Where are you from? How would you describe the state of internet freedom or digital rights in your context or country?
FB: I was born and raised in Morocco, and my journey has led me to Canada where I am currently living. I consider myself fortunate to have experienced life in countries that provide uncensored internet access. This has broadened my perspective and enriched my understanding of diverse cultures and values.
LL: Could you describe the experience as a translator-contributor so far? Do you have a favorite project?
FB: Through my work with Localization Lab, I was able to assist in the translation of important resources. I particularly enjoy working on tutorials and documentation projects. For example, I was thrilled to work on the translation of the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool. Engaging in these projects provides me with the opportunity to learn about new technologies and concepts, an aspect I find incredibly rewarding.
LL: What do you think are the gaps in language accessibility in tech tools? Is there anything we can do?
FB: Many tools and platforms are primarily designed with English-speaking users in mind, which can lead to a lack of intuitive usability for those who speak other languages. For example, voice recognition systems and AI assistants often struggle with accents and dialects, which excludes a large number of users. I believe by actively addressing language gaps, we can create a more inclusive tech ecosystem that celebrates linguistic diversity and ensures that the benefits of technology are accessible to everyone.
LL: Explain what localization is to a 6-year-old
FB: Think about your favorite cartoon show. You know how you watch it in English, but your friend in Morocco watches the same show in Arabic? That’s because the cartoon has been localized. It means the people who made the cartoon have changed the language and maybe some other things too, like the characters’ names or the types of food they eat, so that viewers in different places can enjoy the show just as much as you do. It’s like the cartoon has been specially made for each country. That’s what we call localization!
LL: Could you tell us some interesting facts about your mother tongue?
FB: My mother tongue is Moroccan Arabic also known as Darija, a unique blend of Arabic, Berber, and even some French, Spanish, and English words. It’s one of the hardest Arabic dialects for even Arabic speakers of the Middle East. However, many non-Arabic speakers speak Darija well without knowing Modern Standard Arabic.
LL: Can you tell us something interesting about Arabic speakers that only Arabic speakers would know?
FB: As an Arabic speaker, I’ve experienced firsthand the diversity of the Arabic language. There are many dialects spoken by Arabic speakers worldwide, each with its unique characteristics. One of the interesting challenges with Arabic is its unique sounds, which can be difficult for English speakers to pronounce. Additionally, unlike English, Arabic doesn’t use capital letters, which means we express emphasis in different ways. Also, Arabic is written from right to left, a feature that often surprises those unfamiliar with the language.
LL: Tell us something fun about yourself that you’d like to share with our community.
FB: Fantasy novels hold a special place in my heart. They let me escape from the real world, and enter a magical one that captivates my imagination. I love a good story with a well-crafted plot that keeps me interested from beginning to end. Even though I can read these books in English, I feel like reading them in Arabic helps me get more into the story. I am grateful to the Arabic translators who work hard to translate complex books. They make sure to keep the original essence while making it easy for Arabic readers to understand. Thanks to them, I can enjoy these stories in my language.
LL: If we want to invite more Arabic speakers from your language group, what would you tell them about Localization Lab?
FB: When telling them about Localization Lab, I would emphasize that it is a collaborative community dedicated to making digital security tools and documentation accessible worldwide. I would also mention that we have a supportive and inclusive environment at Localization Lab, where they can learn.
If you are part of the Localization Lab community and would like to nominate a fellow contributor to be a Contributor of the Month, please reach out to us at chido@localizationlab.org and dianne@localizationlab.org. We are also in our Community Mattermost at @chido and @dianne.