In the evolving landscape of research communication, the vitality of multilingualism is gaining recognition as a cornerstone for fostering diversity and inclusivity. Amidst a historical emphasis on English publications, a noticeable shift in this paradigm is underway. Organizations such as UNESCO are advocating for multilingualism in scientific communication, urging member states to support diverse languages in scientific publications and academic discourse. This movement is echoed by policymakers in regions like China and Europe, introducing measures to encourage researchers to publish in local languages.
Responding to this transformative trend, the Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR) initiated the COAR Task Force on Supporting Multilingualism and non-English Content in Repositories in August 2022. The primary goal was to develop and advocate for best practices to effectively manage multilingual and non-English content within repositories. Collating insights from 17 diverse use cases contributed by various stakeholders, including repository managers, users, authors, translators, aggregators, and discovery systems, the Task Force identified three focal areas: Enhancing Discoverability of Non-English Content; Curating Multilingual Content in Repositories; and Supporting Translations.
The progress culminated in the release of an initial set of draft recommendations for community review by the Task Force in June 2023. This open consultation solicited a spectrum of invaluable input from stakeholders. Following a meticulous review, the Task Force integrated the diverse community feedback into the recommendations document. The revised document encapsulates the updated recommendations, highlighting best practices for repository managers and developers of repository software. The focus areas encompass metadata, multilingual keywords, user interfaces, formats, and licensing strategies aimed at enhancing the visibility, discoverability, and reusability of repository content across multiple languages.
The finalized recommendations underscore a commitment to empowering repository managers and developers to implement strategies that foster a more inclusive and accessible repository landscape. These guidelines are envisioned to significantly bolster the visibility and ease of access to scholarly content in numerous languages.
The COAR Task Force's initiative represents a crucial step in harmonizing the approach towards multilingual content management, heralding an era of enhanced diversity and accessibility within the scholarly repository domain.
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