The diversity paradox may be expressed as an apparent contradiction between, on the one hand, the rise of an international lingua franca, which should lead to lesser linguistic diversity, and on the other, increased use of translation, which should produce greater linguistic diversity. The paradox is that both these tendencies are occurring at the same time. It is suggested that one key to this paradox is to be found in the institutionalized nature of cross-cultural communication. Three models are presented of the way translation may operate within international institutions. One of the models, relying on a centralized production language and a multiplicity of target languages, is shown to be compatible with the diversity paradox.