Localization Sprint in Dakar: Bridging the Digital Divide and Empowering Communities
Our Localization Lab team recently journeyed to Dakar, Senegal for the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica24). The atmosphere was electric, buzzing with discussions on digital rights and freedoms. Senegal has been experiencing internet disruptions and crackdowns on free speech, making our mission even more critical.
Imagine this: internet shutdowns during crucial elections, a major news outlet silenced, and people unable to connect with loved ones or access vital information. One participant at FIFAfrica24 shared, "Members of our community do not feel comfortable with digital tools. In addition, there is a certain distrust… " This sentiment highlighted the challenges faced by many Senegalese, especially those who primarily speak Wolof, the most widely spoken language in the country.
Despite its prevalence in everyday life, Wolof is underrepresented online. With limited digital resources and a lack of trust in existing tools, many Wolof speakers felt excluded from the digital world. As one participant aptly put it, "Some communities feel comfortable with digital tools. However, many users of these tools have difficulty using them and are even skeptical about using them."
This is where our Localization Sprint came in. We brought together a diverse group of translators, language professionals, and digital and human rights advocates. Our goal was simple: translate vital digital security resources- like the Electronic Frontier Foundation's "Tips, Tools, and How-tos for Safer Online Communications" guides (think of them as your digital security bible!) – into a variety of African languages, including Wolof. The energy was infectious as participants collaborated to make these resources accessible to a wider audience.
Participating in an exercise to highlight the challenges and things to note during the translation process
Now, a Localization Sprint is a focused, collaborative event where people from different backgrounds work together to translate and adapt a product or resource into different languages and cultural contexts. Think of it like a hackathon, but for language! However, from the Localization Lab perspective, it isn't just about translating words. It's about bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and building a sense of community. We're talking hands-on training, tool demos, and brainstorming sessions – all geared towards empowering people to navigate the digital world safely. On average it takes approximately one to two days to complete translation of a tool during a Sprint.
Our goals were clear:
Boost accessibility: Get crucial digital security info into the hands of everyday Senegalese users quickly.
Bridge the digital divide: Break down language and accessibility barriers to essential knowledge and tools.
Empower local communities: Help people take control of their digital security and participate fully online.
Technical terms proved tricky to translate, and linguistic nuances required careful consideration. "In terms of tools, it would be interesting to provide certain communities with guides on the use of these communication tools, guides on how to protect yourself online," a Wolof participant suggested. We took this feedback to heart, recognizing the need for greater digital literacy alongside localized resources.
Despite these challenges, the sprint was a resounding success. A Fon language participant emphasized the importance of our work, stating, "Given that these tools are often in languages that community members are not very familiar with, it remains important to diversify the languages used in order to allow them to use these tools holistically."
One participant, new to our work, shared, "After participating in this sprint, I am more eager to promote Wolof and will do everything in my power to facilitate the learning of digital tools."
Co-facilitator Ady Coulibaly (Localization Lab contributor) assisting African language participants in navigating the style guide and glossary part of the Sprint.
To continue developing our Wolof language community and provide critical tools and resources, 'll finalize the translated guides and publish them on our website. We'll also continue collaborating with our new partners in Senegal and beyond. A dedicated WhatsApp group for Wolof participants will keep the momentum going, fostering knowledge sharing and community outreach.
Our journey in Dakar was a powerful reminder of the importance of bridging the digital divide. By empowering individuals with localized resources and digital literacy skills, we can build a more inclusive and resilient digital future for all.
Want to join the movement? Visit our website at www.localizationlab.org to learn more or just go ahead and fill in our Contributor sign-up form and become a contributor. Together, we can make the internet a safer and more accessible space for everyone.