Translation in Crisis Situations: Reviewing Current Practices and Identifying Future Demands

This systematic review explores the emerging role of translation within the established fields of disaster studies and crisis communication—areas where translation has been largely overlooked until recently. As research increasingly investigates translation as an essential tool in crisis communication, this review aims to document current progress, ongoing efforts, and future research needs in crisis translation. Understanding how translation can bridge linguistic and cultural gaps during crises is crucial for ensuring effective communication, equitable response, and inclusive recovery efforts. The study addresses the central question: what critical issues must be addressed to optimize the role of translation in crises? The review positions crisis translation at the intersection of disaster studies and crisis communication and provides an overview of relevant topics that have gained recent attention, including ethics, training, modalities, technological issues, and public policy. It identifies the pivotal role of volunteers in crisis response and highlights the ethical challenges they face. It underscores the transformative potential of translation technology in enhancing communication during crises, while also acknowledging the technical and practical barriers that limit its effectiveness. It also reveals a significant gap in the integration of translation into emergency public policies and emphasizes the need for comprehensive frameworks to address this issue