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Green Spaces Issue
Issue 6
Considering translation
Guidance Paper 6
Considering translation
Black Environment Network - September
'03
Simplistically, translation is just
putting text from one language into
another. But, careful consideration is
needed if translating something is to
result in serving a purpose. This paper
addresses some of the contexts driving
the consideration for translation.
Some key questions and points for
consideration
What information should be
translated ?
- No organisation can translate
everything. The cost would be
prohibitive. It is unnecessary in
various instances. Sometimes
other ways of communicating is
preferable.
- Thought needs to be given as to
what the purpose of the
information is, and what the
needs of the target groups are.
Translation is not a tick box
item for provision of information
to particular ethnic minority
groups.
- Some ethnic minority groups may
specifically request the
translation of a particular item
because they feel that it is of
significant relevance to them. It
is important that such requests
are carefully considered.
- Translated words can also be a
symbolic gesture of the
recognition of cultural presence,
even for groups which do not need
translation, e.g. a leaflet on
planting trees may incorporate
the word “tree” in many
languages in its design while the
main information is in English.
How can organisations work to
achieve communication with ethnic groups
with varying degrees of understanding of
English ?
- Organisations need to have local
knowledge of the different ethnic
minorities present in the area,
plus their own perception of
their needs and wishes. Very
often what may be necessary is
the establishment of a dialogue
with the community group's key
worker rather than translation
for members of a particular
group.
- Some ethnic minority groups stem
from an oral tradition and may
wish to have tapes or videos
instead of translated text.
- Communication is a two-way
exercise. Translated information
going one way can be
unsatisfactory. An information
session with an interpreter is
one way of beginning and building
up a real dialogue. In a green
space this may take the form of
taking a walk together, and
giving information and answering
questions about the space with
the support of the community
group's key worker and if
necessary a professional
interpreter.
- Members of the group Concrete to
Coriander, in a BEN focus group
session, said:
- We would like
organisations to give information
in plain straightforward English.
We can almost always find someone
in our group to translate for us.
- We would like the managers
of public places, such as green
spaces or libraries, to send key
messages and access information
in community languages to our
community organisations.
- We would like telephone
numbers, dates and addresses in
English because that is the form
which helps us most when we need
to use it or to find places
- When possible pictures,
images or symbols should be used
instead of words for signage
What forerunning and follow up
work do organisations need to do ?
- Introduction of new subject
matter of interest, or new
activities need to go hand in
hand with the provision of
information. We are inundated
with information. Information
which seems irrelevant to us is
seen as junk mail. For many
ethnic groups, information about
activities or subject matter with
which they have had no contact
will result in no response.
- If material such as grant
applications is translated, does
it imply that ethnic minority
groups may expect to be able to
communicate with organisations in
their community languages ? This
must be made clear on the
translated material. There are
services, at a cost, which
provide 3 way conversations, with
the organisational personnel, the
client and an interpreter to
facilitate communication.
Language Line in Birmingham is
one such service.
Translation alongside the building
of a working relationship with ethnic
minority groups
Translation cannot stand alone. The
crucial context for successful
communication with any ethnic minority
group is the building of a consistent
working relationship and therefore a
continuing dialogue. The relationship
will enable the organisation and the
ethnic community group to get to know
each other and learn from each other.
- Through a continuing working
relationship, specific needs for
translation can be identified and
solutions found in partnership
with the key workers of ethnic
community groups.
- It should be recognised that most
ethnic community groups are
under-resourced. Whenever
possible, ethnic community groups
should be paid for specific
assistance:
- Consider whether
the information to be translated
need professional translation, or
translation at a community level.
Out of goodwill ethnic community
groups which often translate
information which benefits their
members for free, and put it into
their newsletters. Offering to
contribute to part of the cost of
the printing of newsletters which
include your information is a
good way of supporting ethnic
groups.
- When possible, pay for the
time ethnic groups spend in
assisting you to communicate
successfully. Ethnic groups can
assist you in ensuring that the
content of translated information
is culturally sensitive and
relevant. They can assist in
identifying where to distribute
information, and in distributing
translated information. They can
assist in designing the process
of a consultation session.
- When you need to consult
with members of ethnic
communities, use the premises of
community groups and therefore
contribute towards their costs.
Make a payment to the community
organisations when they have
arranged for members of ethnic
community groups to facilitate
the process. This supports the
community group, and enable
individual members' contribution
to their community to be
recognised.
- For many occasions where the
information is not technical, the
uses of ordinary bilingual
members of the community as
interpreters may be adequate. A
small donation may be made to the
community organisation.
- Use opportunities around
communication to support the
community group and to build
their capacity, e.g. financing
training to enable members of
ethnic community groups to gain
more facilitating skills may
enable both the community group
and your organisation to
communicate more successfully.
Forming a strategy for
communication
- Consider the remit of your
organisation and the points where
it interfaces with particular
ethnic minority groups.
- Involve appropriate local ethnic
minority groups in identifying
how best you can fulfil your aims
through communication with
information and what forms these
can take. If appropriate bring in
expert advice to facilitate this
process, e.g. working with Black
Environment Network.
- Involve appropriate local ethnic
minority groups in the roles they
can play in assisting you to
communicate successfully.
- Build the capacity of ethnic
community groups to work together
with you whenever opportunities
arise. This includes
familiarising the group with how
your organisation the sector you
work within operates, as well as
providing training opportunities
in relation to particular skills.
- Recognise the input of ethnic
minority groups, and when
possible pay for their services
and specific inputs, thereby
supporting ethnic community
groups while fulfilling your own
aims.
Download
Guidance Paper 6
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