Language access
Language access is the principle, and the practice, of ensuring people can use services regardless of the language they speak. In practice it means providing translation and interpreting so that health, legal, government and emergency information reaches people in a language they understand. In Australia it underpins much CALD communication policy.
How it works
Language access combines several provisions: translated documents, interpreters, multilingual signage and digital content, and plain-language originals that translate well. Which languages to cover is driven by community data, who lives in the area and what they speak.
It is treated as a matter of equity and, often, of law: people cannot give informed consent, follow health advice or exercise rights in a language they do not read, so access to language is access to the service itself.
How SourceTarget uses it
SourceTarget's purpose is language access at scale: translating and adapting government and health content into community languages quickly and accountably, so services reach the people who need them. Speed and cost matter here precisely because access delayed is access denied.