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/
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 4400; News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk