Publications
Publication details [#48625]
O'Brien, Sharon, Patrick Cadwell and Tetyana Lokot. 2022. Parallel Pandemic Spaces: translation, trust and social media. In Lee, Tong King and Dingkun Wang, eds. Translation and Social Media Communication in the Age of the Pandemic. London: Routledge. pp. 62–77. URL
Publication type
Chapter in book
Publication language
English
Abstract
This chapter explores the nexus of crisis translation and the affordances of social media. Using Ireland as an illustrative case, the authors apply the analytic lens of network analysis and the two-step flow model of communication to critically explore the role of social media in translating information during the pandemic. Recognizing that culturally and linguistically diverse communities are sometimes insular in a national context, the authors examine how micro-influencers serving as ‘bridges’ within these communities can use social media as a connector between official communication channels (government, health authorities, etc.) and community members that are often disconnected from these formal channels. Risks around misinformation, mistranslation and misidentification of influencers are discussed. The necessity and challenge of multidirectionality in crisis communication and the role of translation to facilitate this are highlighted. Finally, this chapter presents translation through social media platforms as a trust-strengthening mechanism that enables future crisis preparedness.
Source : Based on publisher information