Colin Dudley, Local Authority Business Development Manager at language services provider Prestige Network has written an article for the www.foreignersinuk.co.uk website calling on London Councils to take their responsibilities of communicating with ethnic minorities seriously.
Colin Dudley Local Authority Business Development Manager, Prestige Network
Mr Dudley said: “Being able to communicate with staff is crucial for everyone using council services: it enables people to say what they want, to understand what is going on around them and feel connected to others. Translation and interpreting services give people access to support.
“The increased demand for language services by public sector organisations and commercial companies alike is symptomatic of the need to meet the country’s continually expanding and diversifying language base.”
As one who has been an immigrant in his time, and who is a keen student of languages, my attitude is that ethnic minorities should learn English. When dealing with local authorities, they should use the method that has been employed for centuries: if they don’t yet know English, they should bring a relative or friend who does. Local authorities in Europe will not provide interpreters into English at public expense.