Translators are hearing the cry for help from Ukraine, too

Russia's attacks have prompted a number of urgent requests from the Ukrainian people.

This one isn't as critical as weapons and food, but it's more important than one might've thought at first: translators.

Authors and translators explained to the New York Times that while it might seem like a cultural project, it's actually just as much of a political one.

Part of Vladimir Putin's justification for invading Ukraine, after all, has been that he's freeing culturally Russian areas from Ukraine.

So highlighting Ukrainian authors and emphasizing their distinct cultural identity is a way to counter that claim.

(And yes, of course, translating news reports from Ukraine for the rest of the world serves the country's cause, too.)

Read about the translators who have responded to Ukraine's call for help in the NY Times.

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