How does abortion translate? Ballot measures are a challenge for interpreters

Associated Press

Reproductive rights measures are on the ballots in 10 states after heated debates over terminology and impact — and that’s just in English. In 388 places nationwide, the Voting Rights Act requires elections information to be available in each community’s native language. The Navajo in Arizona get more written translations than most tribes. Many others just get interpreters as they vote, raising questions about influence and ballot secrecy. And vague or technical terms can be challenging. For example, New York’s referendum doesn’t even use the word “abortion” in English, but official translations have used it anyway, with mixed results. Advocates complain that the official Korean translation means “drop the fetus.”