Translators without Borders (TWB) is a global community of over 100,000 language volunteers offering language services to humanitarian and development organizations worldwide.

TWB was originally founded as Traducteurs sans Frontières by Lori Thicke and Ros Smith-Thomas in France in 1993 to link the world’s translators with vetted nonprofit organizations that focus on health, nutrition, and education. In 2011, Translators without Borders (TWB) was incorporated as a US nonprofit organization that aims to close the language gaps that hinder critical humanitarian and international development efforts worldwide.

As the need for our work grew, in 2021, we created a new organization CLEAR Global, to help us build on the work of TWB. In addition to TWB, CLEAR Global comprises CLEAR Tech and CLEAR Insights.

This reorganization has marked a new beginning for us. But, it doesn’t mean we’ve changed. TWB has returned to its roots — as a global community bringing together over 100,000 linguists, offering their time and skills to support our mission — helping people get vital information and be heard, whatever language they speak.