The Emergence and Future of Multilingual Weather and Climate Communication

For over half a century, government agencies have recognized the link between language disparities and casualties in disasters. Yet, emergency communication systems remain predominantly English-based. Scientists and risk communicators alike have made strides in addressing these issues by implementing interdisciplinary efforts in Spanish. However, significant challenges remain. Many non-English languages are still understudied and have yet to be fully integrated into weather and climate operations. Research has primarily delved into language alone and not into other factors that may be important among multilingual communities, including culture, nativity, and documentation status. To truly address these gaps, a concerted and collective effort is needed to create an inclusive, multilingual communication landscape.

In this presentation, I discuss the recent emergence of multilingual weather and climate communication in our enterprise, tracing its roots in both research and operations. I will also examine the future of the field by identifying potential research avenues that extend beyond basic translation, and by highlighting recent advancements in the integration of Artificial Intelligence within National Weather Service operations. By working together as researchers and practitioners, we can create effective solutions for multilingual populations across our Nation.