As Australia’s population continues to grow, we welcome migrants from all corners of the globe, contributing to our vibrant and diverse society. This multicultural growth, while enriching, introduces complexities to the operations of both public and private sectors, particularly in engaging with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. This article explores the meaning of CALD, its implications for operational efficiency, and how the innovative solutions developed by All Graduates are addressing these challenges.
CALD, an acronym for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, refers to individuals or communities that originate from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. With an increasing number of people from diverse cultural backgrounds calling Australia home, understanding the CALD definition becomes critical in ensuring efficient communications and service delivery.
All Graduates is frequently engaged to enhance operational efficiency for our clients, predominantly government departments and businesses interfacing with non-English speaking clients. We leverage technology to enhance this interface, providing valuable insights through reports and analyses.
“From the moment a non-English speaking client walks into your office, the challenge you face is finding the balance between meeting their needs with the inherent cost and complexity of doing so.”
Several years ago, we conceptualised a platform-agnostic messaging system – LiME. Initially inspired by a multilingual telephone message line proposal, LiME has evolved into an innovative solution that allows communication on any platform. It ensures the message, the crucial component, reaches the CALD communities effectively.
Language barriers can cause anxiety and create obstacles for non-English speakers, affecting their ability to engage with society and access services. Our LiME system dramatically reduces miscommunication risks and improves access to information for CALD groups without sacrificing operational efficiencies.
Technology Advancements in Language Services
While AI technologies such as Google Translate and Siri are handy for day-to-day translations, they fall short in business and government communications. Our LiME system addresses this issue, helping organisations communicate repetitive messages efficiently while improving access to appropriate language communications for their increasingly diverse clients.
“LiME utilises multi-platform technology to create meaningful, comprehensive communications where and when you need them. Discover how it can work for you.”
Yes, the term CALD, standing for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, remains appropriate as it acknowledges and respects the cultural and linguistic diversity in our society. This term is widely used in Australia to describe both individuals and communities that are culturally and linguistically diverse.
Community translation refers to the process of translating documents or communication materials intended for a particular linguistic community, ensuring that the message is accessible and culturally appropriate.
‘Plain Language’ simplifies content to ensure the message is clear and easy to understand for everyone. ‘Easy English’, on the other hand, simplifies the content further and includes visual elements, particularly designed for people with low English proficiency or literacy difficulties.
The term CALD originated in Australia and is used to acknowledge and respect the diversity in cultural backgrounds and languages spoken among people residing in Australia. It is used in policy, service delivery, community development, and various fields to recognise and address the specific needs of people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
The top 10 languages spoken in Australia reflect the country’s linguistic diversity, with Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog, Hindi, Spanish, Punjabi, and German being the most spoken languages after English.
By understanding and respecting the diversity in our CALD communities, we can work together to build a more inclusive society. At All Graduates, we are committed to making communication as straightforward as possible, especially for those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Whether it’s through our multilingual messaging system, LiME, or our range of other professional development resources, we strive to deliver reliable, high-quality translation and interpreting services for all.