Government Multilingual Websites Group

Who We Are

The Government Multilingual Websites Group is a group of federal, state, and local government Web managers who are working to expand and improve web content in languages other than English. The Federal Web Managers Council has sponsored the committee since April 2005.

Our Goal

The Group works to support Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for People with Limited English Proficiency.” Our primary purpose is to meet the growing demand for government information and services in other languages and to share ideas, challenges, and best practices for managing multilingual content and websites.

What We Do

The Group meets every several months and maintains an active listserv. The Group consists of three sub-committees that work on specific areas:

I. Multilingual Websites 101 – Getting Started, Standards, Guidelines, Research and Mandates

This sub–committee develops templates and compiles research data, mandates, and other materials, to help web managers get started. The sub–committee also develops guidelines to answer basic questions such as:

• Where to start?
• How to build a website in another language?
• How to build the business case?
• How to get buy-in from upper management and other stakeholders?

II. Translation/Adaptation/Localization of Content

This sub–committee focuses on developing a government-wide multilingual style guide focusing on various languages (for example, a style guide for web managers working on Spanish-language websites). In addition, the sub–committee leads the development of a government-wide Spanish-language taxonomy/glossary. Also, the sub–committee creates general guidelines for the acquisition and management of translation work and contracts.

III. Marketing, Outreach, Education, Training

This sub–committee compiles and documents best practice examples across government to answer questions such as:

• What are others doing to market their multilingual websites (i.e., lessons learned)? What works? What doesn’t?
• Multilingual websites marketing strategies
• Metrics associated with successful website marketing
• Methods to communicate success

In conjunction with the Executive Committee, members of this sub-committee also research outreach opportunities such as participating in training sessions, workshops, and other events. We also help to maintain the Multilingual Websites section of this website, HowTo.gov.

Who Can Join

If you work for a federal, state, local or tribal U.S. Government agency, and you're interested in helping with these activities, join us! Please note that membership is limited only to government employees, and contractors with a government email address.

How to Join

Visit the Multilingual Community on OMB's MAX wiki (part of the Web and New Media Community)

OR

Contact group Co-Chairs Laura Godfrey and Francisco Reinoso