DNI Open Source Conference

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DNI Open Source Conference Improving the
Ability to Access Foreign Language 12
September 2008
National Virtual Translation Center (NVTC) A
Director of National Intelligence
Center www.nvtc.gov
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The National Virtual Translation
Center 500-5,000 Translators Strong, As Needed
NVTCHQ Program Office 25-30
Translation Trade Organizations and Associations
Academia
Active, Reserve, National Guard
Vetted U.S. Citizen Independent Contractor
Linguists (500)
U.S. Heritage Communities
Federal, State Courts
New York Police Department
Industry/Vendor Companies
Self-identified U.S.-Based Independent Contract
Linguists (1,500, Untapped)
American Red Cross
Current, Former USG Employees
Foreign Partners
NVTC-Doha Foreign national translators as part
of the ILIAD (Integrated Linguistic Activity
Doha) in Qatar
NVTC-Monterey
Green Card Holders/ Non-U.S. citizens living
within the U.S.
Unidentified U.S.-Based Linguists
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Improving the Ability to Access Foreign Language
DDNI Collection Open Source StrategyTwo
Components

• Traditional Approaches to Increase Linguist
  Capacity and Capability
• Request additional language-related hires and
  funding
• Hire full-time civilians
• (Cross)train full-time civilians
• Buy full-time contractors
• Improve community sharing, collaboration,
  processes and metrics
• Store corporate knowledge data

• Non-Traditional Approaches to Increase Translator
  Capacity and Capability
• Access outside DC pools of part-time
  translators on a mission-driven, as needed basis
• Codify translation as a distinct strategic
  activity
• Eliminate program duplication within the U.S.
  government
• Gain 20-70 translation efficiency by modernizing
  conventional workflow model

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What the NVTC Brings to the U.S. Government

• Cost-effective clearinghouse for national
  security-related translations unconstrained by
  geography, buildings, billets
• Congressionally mandated national nexus for all
  things translation its the law and its our
  focus
• Secure access to translators normally unavailable
  to the IC, outside the DC metro area new
  subunits in Monterey, Doha
• Intelligence Community leader in integrating
  1st/2nd generation U.S. citizens, and, by the end
  of CY08, U.S. green card holders
• Test bed for all translation technology
  modernizing translation workflow within the U.S.
  government
• Extensive links to and partnerships with
  academia, private industry, trade associations
  and public institutions