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Blears calls for a commonsense approach to translation

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT News Release (238) issued by The Government News Network on 7 December 2007

COMMUNITIES Secretary Hazel Blears has today published new guidance on translation for local councils as part of efforts to bring about a fundamental rebalancing with greater emphasis on learning English and ensuring a commonsense approach is applied to translation.

Hazel Blears will warn that too much translation of public information is reinforcing the language barrier, acting as a brake on opportunity and undermining efforts to integrate non-English speaking residents in the UK.

The guidance calls for councils to only translate documents into other languages in a targeted way, where it is necessary (such as information relating to emergency medical treatment or vital public safety) and set out several key tests in order to refocus and reduce the information translated alongside strategies to promote English. It will also be made available to all public bodies including the NHS, the Police, the courts and Government departments.

Research has shown that 60 per cent of people believe not speaking the language is the biggest barrier to integration. Not speaking English also reduces opportunities in the labour market by 20 per cent.

Many local authorities are already working hard to strike the right balance between ensuring that non-English speakers are able to access the information they need without becoming reliant on translation services. There is however a wide disparity in the amounts that councils and public bodies spend on translation and interpretation. Clearly there are differences in need across the country but this disparity suggests that in some cases public bodies are sending out the wrong messages in terms of integration, equality of opportunity and cohesion.

Ministers are concerned this is acting as a disincentive to learn English and also reducing the employment opportunities of those UK residents who can't speak the language. This guidance is intended to further support the excellent work already underway in some areas and help those councils who are perhaps dealing with these issues for the first time.

The guidance implements one of the recommendations of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion. The CiC in their report Our Shared Future said "Local Authorities and their partners should consider moving from a position of automatic translation of all documents into community languages, towards a more selective approach - driven by need."

The Commission also recommended a review of elements of the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The Department for Communities and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) are jointly running two citizens' juries looking specifically at this issue and DIUS is leading on a response to this recommendation.

The guidance will challenge the belief held by some public bodies and councils that the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 requires them to translate material. There is no legal reason for all materials to be translated.

The key tests public bodies will be challenged to apply will include:-

* Is it essential that this material is translated - and what is the evidence of both need or that people will be disadvantaged without it?

* If it is essential, are you using sound data when deciding which languages you translate into? (There have been examples of automatic translation into languages which are not even spoken in a region)

* Does the information need to be translated in full or could this information be better provided by a community partner?

* If the information is needed (such as for safety or health reasons) can you promote English alongside it? So for example, using pictures or symbols with English alongside or bilingual translation including English.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears will say:

"Speaking English is the greatest asset you can possess to get a better job, get involved in your community, and to get on and do well for yourself and your family.

"Translation can never be a substitute for learning English and we need a fundamental rebalancing of our approach putting a greater focus on learning English.

"Whilst there maybe some cases where translation is appropriate, public bodies should ensure they have commonsense strategies in place.

"Automatic translation of all public materials can just reinforce the language barrier, act as a brake on opportunity and make it harder to integrate non-English speaking residents into the country."

Darra Singh, Ealing Council Chief Executive and Chairman of the former Commission on Integration and Cohesion, said:

"I welcome the Government's action to implement this recommendation from my Commission. This is the green light from the Government to local councils and public bodies to only use translation only where it is essential. Local councils should be totally confident this is the right thing to do for their communities in terms of breaking down the barriers to integration."

Notes to Editors

This press notice applies to England

1. The guidance can be found at http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/racecohesionfaith/communitycohesion

2. The Commission on Integration and Cohesion was an independent body established in August 2006.

3. Our Shared Futures - The Commission's final report was published on June 14 2007 and can be found at http://www.integrationandcohesion.org.uk/

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