Language Access Assistance

Extension staff at all levels of the organization can look to the state translation specialist for help with language access needs for any Extension project – whether local, regional, or state-level. Find out what options are available to you below.

Typical Project Turnaround Times

  • Translation only: 4-week standard turnaround for regular projects.
  • Translation with design/website work: 6- to 8-week turnaround for regular projects.
  • Large-scale projects: 8 weeks or longer turnaround (client and Marketing and Communications team member will discuss project specs and set a realistic turnaround expectation during consultation.)
Local Language Needs

Units may request help from the state translation specialist for language access and translation solutions for local program content.

The state translation specialist can...

  • Provide a language needs consultation.
  • Help you find a qualified translator or interpreter.
  • Coordinate and manage local translation projects using a qualified provider.

Funding

  • There is no cost to Extension units for consultation or to receive a referral from the state translation specialist for local projects.
  • The referred service provider may charge for translation or interpretation services.
    • Units or program teams using a campus provider for local projects may pay for the provider using a CFOP transfer.
    • Units or program teams using an external, non-campus provider for local projects will need to arrange their payment directly to the provider using P-Card or PO.
Regional Language Needs

The state translation specialist can...

  • Provide a language needs consultation.
  • Help you find a qualified translator or interpreter.
  • Coordinate and manage regional translation projects using a qualified provider.
  • Translate Spanish language assets directly for projects distributed regionally or state-wide.

Payment Options:

  • There is no cost to Extension units for consultation or to receive a referral from the state translation specialist for local projects.
  • The referred service provider may charge for translation or interpretation services.
    • Units or program teams using a campus provider for local projects may pay for the provider using a CFOP transfer.
    • Units or program teams using an external, non-campus provider for local projects will need to arrange their payment directly to the provider using P-Card or PO.
State-Level Language Needs

The state translation specialist can...

  • Provide a language needs consultation.
  • Help you find a qualified translator or interpreter.
  • Coordinate and manage state-level translation projects using a qualified provider.
  • Translate Spanish language assets directly for regional or state-wide projects.

Funding:

  • There is no cost for consultation or to receive a referral from the state translation specialist.
  • There is no cost for the state translation specialist to translate Spanish material directly.
  • If project type, scope, or staff capacity requires translation or interpretation assistance from a partner other than the state translation specialist, services will be covered by state-level funds unless otherwise discussed with requesting program team.

Language Access Services

Language translation services are available for:

  • Local, regional, or statewide program content that has statewide distribution.
  • Statewide content that has local distribution.

Watch the recording from the training.
Use the presentation slides to discuss the services with your colleagues.

Translation services are available throughout the year. Anticipate longer turnaround for some projects over summer months due to limited availability of additional campus-based translators. Please submit your request for translation services as soon as you are able.

Translation: Spanish

The state translation specialist will translate, edit, and proof statewide and regional Spanish-language requests using the TEP (translation, editing, and proofing) process. Units needing Spanish translation for local projects can contact the state specialist for referrals to qualified translators.

Translation: Other Languages

The state translation specialist will coordinate local, regional, and state-level services for other language requests through The Program in Translation & Interpreting Studies at U of I or will find a qualified external partner if the campus service is unavailable due to capacity or lead times.

Translation Referrals

​​​​​​The state translation specialist can coordinate referrals to qualified translation services for any Extension project – whether local, regional, or state-wide. No fund transfer is required to engage the state translation specialist, but the referred service provider may charge for translation or interpretation services.

  • Units or program teams using campus referral services for local projects may pay for the provider using a CFOP transfer.
  • Units of program teams using an external, non-campus provider for local projects will need to arrange their payment directly using P-Card or PO.
Interpretation

Resources are in development for the following interpretation areas:

  • Spoken interpretation
  • Sign-language interpretation
Guidelines

  • Determine if your project meets state-level project request criteria.
  • Project turnaround: Allow four weeks for most standard Spanish translation requests. Outsourced translation services, translation services that also require Marketing and Communications team design or website work, and large-scale projects, such as multi-page publications or reports, may require longer lead times.
  • Translation only: 4-week standard turnaround for regular projects.
  • Translation with design/website work: 6- to 8-week turnaround for regular projects.
  • Large-scale projects: 8 weeks or longer turnaround (client and Marketing and Communications team member will discuss project specs and set a realistic turnaround expectation during consultation.)
  • Emergency requests will be considered case by case based on scope, size, and impact. Submit your translation request at go.illinois.edu/MarketingRequest. A team member will confirm the project details and schedule a consultation.
  • Before meeting with a Marketing and Communications team member, please determine:
    • Audience
    • Goal/purpose

To determine language access needs, Extension staff should examine the population demographics and frequency of LEP populations served. Other considerations include the public’s requests for materials in specific languages, data from the U.S. Census Bureau, and data from other agencies.

Additional Resources