In the world of scientific research and discovery, English has long been the dominant language for communication. From academic journals to news outlets, information is primarily shared in English, leaving many non-English speaking communities at a disadvantage. This is particularly concerning when it comes to Earth and space science topics, where access to the latest information is crucial for managing natural hazards like climate change, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.
Recognizing the need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Earth and space sciences, Eos, the nonprofit GeoLatinas, and the science communication collective Planeteando came together to launch the GeoTraductores initiative. This collaborative effort, which began in 2020, aimed to translate science articles from AGU’s Eos into Spanish, making scientific news more accessible to Spanish-speaking communities.
Over the course of four years, approximately 40 GeoTraductores participants and several Eos staff members worked tirelessly to translate, edit, and publish over 150 articles in Spanish for Eos en Español. The impact of their efforts was significant, as evidenced by a study published in Community Science by D. J. Navarro-Perez and colleagues.
The study revealed a notable increase in website traffic to Eos from Latin American countries following the implementation of GeoTraductores. Readership in countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Panama surged by over 85%, while countries like Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru saw a 20% increase in traffic. Even in Spain, readership grew by 40% during the same period.
One of the key findings of the study was the demographic makeup of GeoTraductores participants, with 85% of them being women and the majority being early-career scientists. This highlights the initiative’s role in empowering underrepresented groups in the scientific community and democratizing access to scientific literature for Spanish-speaking audiences, including those in the United States.
The success of GeoTraductores serves as a shining example of how bilingual science communication can bridge language barriers and make scientific information more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience. By breaking down linguistic barriers, initiatives like GeoTraductores are not only democratizing science but also fostering a more diverse and inclusive scientific community.
In conclusion, the GeoTraductores initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of making science accessible to all. By translating scientific articles into Spanish, GeoTraductores is not only breaking down language barriers but also empowering Spanish-speaking communities to engage with and contribute to the global scientific conversation. This initiative is a step towards a more inclusive and equitable scientific community, where knowledge knows no language boundaries.