Abstract
It has been claimed that the provision of translation and interpreting services curtails the motivation of immigrant groups to learn host languages and thus constitutes an unjustified social cost. Studies with asylum seekers nevertheless show no evidence for such a relation, while studies in healthcare indicate that the targeted use of interpreters, mediators and bilingual providers can reduce overall healthcare costs. To make sense of this evidence in terms of language policy, it is argued in this paper that translation and interpreting cannot be seen as an isolated communication solution but must be analysed alongside a series of situational factors: relative access to alternative mediation strategies, the situated building of trust, the risks associated with each interaction, and the length of the intended stay in the country. It is more generally argued that, in many situations, translation and language learning can go hand in hand, since both enhance literacy .
Highlights
The problem of translation vs. language learningIn 2020, in times of COVID-19, residents of nine multilingual housingcommission towers in Melbourne were placed in mandatory lockdown
In 2013, Eric Pickles, the UK Secretary of State for Communities, ordered that translations not be provided for immigrants because translation services “have an unintentional, adverse impact on integration by reducing the incentive for some migrant communities to learn English” (Pickles, 2013)
In Sweden, for example, some 22% of all books published were translations and some 16% of all books were published in languages other than Swedish
Summary
In 2020, in times of COVID-19, residents of nine multilingual housingcommission towers in Melbourne were placed in mandatory lockdown. They were provided with food and information in their languages, probably not enough of either. In 2013, Eric Pickles, the UK Secretary of State for Communities, ordered that translations not be provided for immigrants because translation services “have an unintentional, adverse impact on integration by reducing the incentive for some migrant communities to learn English” (Pickles, 2013). English, which is the basis for an individual’s ability to progress in British society It will promote cohesion and better community relations. I will venture along both those tracks: first some numbers, the concepts, and a call for a concept of translation that saves costs by developing literacy
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