You may need to translate your materials (advertisements, media programs, posters etc.) into traditional languages. You should consider doing this if you know that there are numbers of people in your target audiences who speak English as their second (or third or fourth) language or who don’t speak English at all.
Written translations will only be useful in situations where most people can read and where languages are written as well as spoken. You will need to consider oral translations for people who can’t. For example, if you were putting on a play or performance, or demonstrating an activity such as cooking, it would be more appropriate to provide an oral translation.
In many regions across Australia there are likely to be at least one language and/or cultural centre/organisation. Where available, it will be useful to establish contact and a relationship with these organisations. They may be able to provide advice and assist with translation of materials and resources. Translation and interpreter services also exist in some States and Territories.
If you cannot speak the local language or dialect, you can work with local people who can identify the most appropriate people who could work with you in a community.
In urban and regional areas, you may not need to translate material into traditional languages, but it is still important to think about how you might adapt your language to be appropriate for your audience (eg. by using local slang words).
Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media organisations, particularly radio stations, broadcast in traditional languages and can help you with translations.
When you are developing health promotion messages, think about local slang that will catch the attention of your target audience. It may be useful to work with a group of people in your target audience to develop your messages and make sure the language you use is appropriate.