FabSwingers.com forum: interpreters do we need them

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Was watching one of the cop shows where a chap was arrested who was able to speak clear enogh english to abuse the policethen at police said he did not understand as english not good.

Cops then got an interpreter at cost to taxpayers.

Personally i think interpreters should be reduced and in cases like this when english was spoken then it should be refused.

This will help by sending the me no speak english folk that am sure most have come across whom we know can speak good english when it suits that we know your game and also help integrate better by learning english to a better level.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Hiyo inaweza kuwa vigumu.

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By *aughty Indian gentlemanMan
over a year ago

Leicestershire / Visiting Dubai

"Hiyo inaweza kuwa vigumu."

This can become difficult

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

ndyo - asante

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Was watching one of the cop shows where a chap was arrested who was able to speak clear enogh english to abuse the policethen at police said he did not understand as english not good.

Cops then got an interpreter at cost to taxpayers.

Personally i think interpreters should be reduced and in cases like this when english was spoken then it should be refused.

It "

If you don't use a translator in those circumstances the chance of even charging someone let alone convicting them is nil. So what choice is there?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Indeed.

I am against other services being translated however. Airports and emergency services are about all that's necessary for translation to the general public.

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By *otlovefun42Couple
over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...

In Spain if we need an interpretor for anything we have to provide our own and at our expense.

This applies to everything from filing a police report, visiting the hospital, town hall, traffico to register a car, and everything else. For basic stuff between us we have just about enough Spanish to cope, but we regularly have to use our neighbour for the more complicated things.

In Germany we are OK because Mrs is German but if I was on my own here no translation services would be provided.

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By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

Yes, it is essential in the interests of a fair trial.

There has been some privatisation of the interpretation service for courts recently, largely with disastrous results. See Private Eye for further details.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If the accused refuses to answer important questions on the ground that he can't speak English then of course we need a translator. Regardless of whether they can speak English or not. It eliminates the excuse of not responding and they umlitmately have to answer.

Also, whilst they may have spoken some English, it doesn't necessarily mean they are competent to provide evidence for a crime they have committed. We all learn how to swear in other languages...

Furthermore, If this person was an eye witness to a crime rather than the accused, I would want them to have a translator so it should work both ways.

Sarah

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By *wingerdelightCouple
over a year ago

eastliegh

I think a language test should be part of the imigration process. Can't speak English then you can't live here.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

and should the same apply when brits move to spain?

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By *eeBee67Man
over a year ago

Masked and Distant

Any person moving to a foreign land should be expected to speak the local language.

Translators should be provided to ensure a fair trial, but what bugs me is the number of different languages on doctors surgery signs, council office signs etc etc. Been here ling enough to need help from the welfare state = been here long enough to speak English.

Wow my first Thursday (semi) rant.

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By *uietlyKinkyUsCouple
over a year ago

midlands

you cant test people arriving in the Uk for English

Either spoken or written.

Half the school kids wouldn't pass that test

Innocent until proven guilty, and if they need assistance with English, give it.

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By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

"you cant test people arriving in the Uk for English

Either spoken or written.

Half the school kids wouldn't pass that test

Innocent until proven guilty, and if they need assistance with English, give it."

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"you cant test people arriving in the Uk for English

Either spoken or written."

Why not?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If the accused can even hint that he didn't fully understand the situation or he didn't fully understand his rights, he will walk - simple as that. So yes, against the grain it may be, but in order to secure the best prospect of a conviction, an interpreter is required.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yes well in my job, they are worth their weight in gold. A necessity. Medication has to be explained when dispensed to a patient being discharged. An interperator has! To be used. We are not even allowed to explain, medication to a patients English speaking relative. Protocol in the nhs, does not allow.

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By *ob55Man
over a year ago

PE13

I lived in Spain for about 6 years and as previous posters has said I needed to pay for my own interpreters for complicated things

I come back to the uk, and one of the first things I get is my council tax bill and on the back it said this bill can also be supplied in 15 different languages

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

According to the Telegraph, the NHS spends approximately £26 million per year on interpreters. Money well spent?

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London

"I lived in Spain for about 6 years and as previous posters has said I needed to pay for my own interpreters for complicated things

I come back to the uk, and one of the first things I get is my council tax bill and on the back it said this bill can also be supplied in 15 different languages "

Previous poster also said if you can't speak English you can't come in. If other countries adopted a similar view people like yourself would be up in arms.

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London

"According to the Telegraph, the NHS spends approximately £26 million per year on interpreters. Money well spent?"

How much did they spend on dealing with d*unks, druggies, bariatrics etc? Thing is there will always be things our hard earned taxes are used for which we have issue with...unfortunately!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sould be rule you want to stay in u.k you learn in giving time if you fail to do so sorry time to leave

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By *uietlyKinkyUsCouple
over a year ago

midlands

"you cant test people arriving in the Uk for English

Either spoken or written.

Why not?"

Not everyone that comes in, intends to stay. Do you learn the whole language and the technical side to a language before you go to another country?

Because I dont and I only speak 3 languages.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I lived in Spain for about 6 years and as previous posters has said I needed to pay for my own interpreters for complicated things

I come back to the uk, and one of the first things I get is my council tax bill and on the back it said this bill can also be supplied in 15 different languages "

Again this is good as it is saving time and money. It eliminates the excuse "oh I have not paid as I did not understand what it said" it also allows those who genuinely did not understand and pay.

My goodness somethinf else... does this mean foreign people DO pay tax? The way some people talk you would swear they got everything for nothing

Sarah

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"and should the same apply when brits move to spain?"

Or countless other countries. The British are undeniably insular and hypocritical on this subject.

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By *igSuki81Man
over a year ago

Retirement Village

Based on what the OP has said if the guy was able to speak english to abuse someone & then said he couldn't when arrested then the police should not have provided an interpreter especially if they had it evidenced that he was capable.

That may sound a bit harsh but the 'i dont speak english' routine is used by some to delay process and deliberately be a nuisance and waste police time.

Not sure about making people learn the language if they come here but it does make sense for anyone who is planning to move to another country to learn the language to some extent so as to be able to communicate.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"In Spain if we need an interpretor for anything we have to provide our own and at our expense.

In Germany we are OK because Mrs is German but if I was on my own here no translation services would be provided.

Genuine question and nit heing argumentative but how do the spanish and germans react to your limited knowledge of their languages?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yay, another "Let's have a go at those foreigners thread!"

If you are naive enough to believe that a conviction would occur without an interpreter then you are probably of the same train of thought that all doctors are English!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"According to the Telegraph, the NHS spends approximately £26 million per year on interpreters. Money well spent?"

Unfortunately, without them wrong medications, and the wrong dosage maybe taken

. Risking life perhaps?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My grandparents couldn't speak English when they arrived here in 1947 and they still couldn't speak more than a few words of English when they died in the mid 90's.

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By *otlovefun42Couple
over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...

"I lived in Spain for about 6 years and as previous posters has said I needed to pay for my own interpreters for complicated things

I come back to the uk, and one of the first things I get is my council tax bill and on the back it said this bill can also be supplied in 15 different languages

Previous poster also said if you can't speak English you can't come in. If other countries adopted a similar view people like yourself would be up in arms."

The previous poster referred to in the first part was me, and I have at no time said that "if you can't speak English you can't come in"

However I do believe that if you move to a different country you should make an effort with the language as I am doing (OK rather badly at the moment but I'm working on it) now with German, and have in the past with Spanish.

As for other countries taking a similar view. I don't know of any country in the EU that would stop you living there for not speaking the language. However most (if not all) do not provide state funded translators, and rightly so.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I think a language test should be part of the imigration process. Can't speak English then you can't live here."

I have come across many resident natives that barely speak or understand English. Lets ship them off too ! Or get our house in order before we condemn others for their education etc. Maybe that would be a more sporting thing to do. What what.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"you cant test people arriving in the Uk for English

Either spoken or written.

Why not?

Not everyone that comes in, intends to stay. Do you learn the whole language and the technical side to a language before you go to another country?

Because I dont and I only speak 3 languages. "

I assume we're referring to immigrants - people intent on staying not tourists. I think it's reasonable to ask that they have made an effort to learn the local language before granting residence.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I think a language test should be part of the imigration process. Can't speak English then you can't live here.

I have never encountered anybody born in England unable to speak English. Where do you find them?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

So if somebody from another Country decides to move to Wales, does this mean they have to learn to speak Welsh and not English?

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By *otlovefun42Couple
over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...

"I think a language test should be part of the imigration process. Can't speak English then you can't live here.

I Must admit (sadly) that you are right. The standard of spoken as well as written English is abysmal among (mainly but not exclusively) a sizeable chunk of the under 30's.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"So if somebody from another Country decides to move to Wales, does this mean they have to learn to speak Welsh and not English?

If you can get all the Welsh speaking it then you may have an argument

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Sould be rule you want to stay in u.k you learn in giving time if you fail to do so sorry time to leave "

If this post is anything to go by, see ya!

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By *hoe_nixCouple
over a year ago

leeds

in addition to our free national health service we also provide free interpreters (on request)-- while it takes me a week to get an appointment

sorry I slightly digressed but its in the same ballpark

ps command of the language is sufficient to request interpreter DOH!!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Does anyone know any statistics for people that are permanent resident in the UK but speak no English?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Does anyone know any statistics for people that are permanent resident in the UK but speak no English?

It's 0.2%

The UK literacy rate is 99%

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

Do we need interpreters?

In real life - yes.

And sometimes on Fab too!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Sould be rule you want to stay in u.k you learn in giving time if you fail to do so sorry time to leave

If this post is anything to go by, see ya!"

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"So if somebody from another Country decides to move to Wales, does this mean they have to learn to speak Welsh and not English?

If you can get all the Welsh speaking it then you may have an argument"

But this is my point, not everyone is fluent Welsh speaking (myself included). This is due to other languages becomming more prominent. Therefore, I think we can't discriminate against those who do not speak the native language of that country, and certainly not provide them with translators when it is for serious things such as medical or police care.

Sarah

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"So if somebody from another Country decides to move to Wales, does this mean they have to learn to speak Welsh and not English?

If you can get all the Welsh speaking it then you may have an argument

Sarah "

Personally I think translation should be available for emergency services.

But not for anything else. And we already do discriminate - against every language that we don't provide translations for!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Was watching one of the cop shows where a chap was arrested who was able to speak clear enogh english to abuse the policethen at police said he did not understand as english not good.

Cops then got an interpreter at cost to taxpayers.

Personally i think interpreters should be reduced and in cases like this when english was spoken then it should be refused.

It "

I think I need a translator to English for a good portion of your post!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"So if somebody from another Country decides to move to Wales, does this mean they have to learn to speak Welsh and not English?

If you can get all the Welsh speaking it then you may have an argument

Sarah

Personally I think translation should be available for emergency services.

But not for anything else. And we already do discriminate - against every language that we don't provide translations for!"

Completely agree!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I think a language test should be part of the imigration process. Can't speak English then you can't live here.

I have never encountered anybody born in England unable to speak English. Where do you find them?"

try inner city Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham........the list could go on.Barely literate and or able to communicate effectively. If you think this doesnt exist get out your ivory tower and meet these people that also need help. No different to people that the law states can live here needing help.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We had to use a translator over here, a car had hit our car whilst we were parked in a multistory car park. German polizi arnt always the nicest but with Ian's job it goes without saying. Although my German isn't bad it was nice to know that what,where and why was being said.

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By *reelove1969Couple
over a year ago

bristol

"Sould be rule you want to stay in u.k you learn in giving time if you fail to do so sorry time to leave "

what do we have to learn sorry ??

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Just because someone can spout abuse in a language doesn't necessarily mean they understand the language when spoken to them fluently. You could easily pick up common swear words and insults without becoming fluent in a language

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I think a language test should be part of the imigration process. Can't speak English then you can't live here.

I have never encountered anybody born in England unable to speak English. Where do you find them?

I've worked on housing estates in every one of those places and can categorically say that you are talking (quite emphatically) out of your rear end.

I've occasionally had difficulty understanding people from Northern Ireland, and places like Glasgow etc. - but NONE have been unable to speak English.

Communication works in two ways - maybe the issue is with your inability to understand..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A few questions.

1) Are there any interpreters, translators or even language teachers or students in this thread?

2) Do the monolingual patriots of this country know all the medical or legal terms? If they do, how many years of their lives did it take them to learn all of them?

3) Do the same people know how much those "greedy" interpreters earn and how long it takes to be trained as one?

4) Are they aware that the public services that do use interpreters are obliged to provide them by law just as courts appoint solicitors if the defendant is unable to pay?

What a wonderful world it would be if we only passed judgment on what we have sufficient knowledge about... Wishful thinking?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm very well qualified to discuss the topic. Even if I weren't I'd be entitled to give an opinion. That qualifies as a wonderful world for me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

They cant speak english but can count english money

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"They cant speak english but can count english money"

Who is "they"?

I'm not sure of the point that you are making?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Anybody can count money, especially money due to them for work. It is not the same as understanding legal proceedings or a insider's instructions.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Somehow most opinions in this thread are "we vs them". Give people time, they will learn all they need to learn but do not deprive them of what they are entitled to in the meantime.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

Just while we're here, I take it nobody has any objections to BSL interpreters being provided for deaf people or Braille documents being provided for blind folk?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Just while we're here, I take it nobody has any objections to BSL interpreters being provided for deaf people or Braille documents being provided for blind folk?"

In English, or other languages?

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"Just while we're here, I take it nobody has any objections to BSL interpreters being provided for deaf people or Braille documents being provided for blind folk?

In English, or other languages?"

English.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"They cant speak english but can count english money

Who is "they"?

I'm not sure of the point that you are making?"

well my point aint what your thinking. Allways have to think negative dont you? Jesus one day your surprise folk on the forums and be positive.oh and they are ppl that live in the uk but cant talk the lingo,hence the thread

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"They cant speak english but can count english money

Who is "they"?

I'm not sure of the point that you are making?

You haven't actually explained what your point was though!

re. deaf & blind people I wonder how much of the local authority stuff that's been translated into multiple languages has been done so for them too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"They cant speak english but can count english money

Who is "they"?

I'm not sure of the point that you are making?

Yes I know the subject of the thread but fail to see what counting money has to do with it?

And how is asking a question being negative?

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"..............

re. deaf & blind people I wonder how much of the local authority stuff that's been translated into multiple languages has been done so for them too. "

Some local authority/ health board/ local government etc documentation will already have been translated into multiple languages but live conversations will need live translation.

There seems to be a feeling that providing interpreting for eg deaf people is OK whilst interpreting for speakers of foreign languages isn't - suggesting the problem is the foreign language speakers.

Whilst were at it. Does a Welsh language speaker, in trouble with the law, have the right to be questioned by a Welsh language speaking cop, represented by a Welsh speaking solicitor and tried before a Welsh speaking judge and jury?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"A few questions.

1) Are there any interpreters, translators or even language teachers or students in this thread?

2) Do the monolingual patriots of this country know all the medical or legal terms? If they do, how many years of their lives did it take them to learn all of them?

3) Do the same people know how much those "greedy" interpreters earn and how long it takes to be trained as one?

4) Are they aware that the public services that do use interpreters are obliged to provide them by law just as courts appoint solicitors if the defendant is unable to pay?

What a wonderful world it would be if we only passed judgment on what we have sufficient knowledge about... Wishful thinking?"

Good post

I work in public services on the phone and need to use an interpreter daily, they are a godsend else id be on the phone explaining quite complicated stuff to people and they would have no idea what im saying and they could get into quite alot of trouble financially if information was not clarified between me and my clients.

As for the natives with poor grasp of the English language I can say that in all my years of speaking to the British public on the phone that I encounter just as many natives who are basically downright illierate, no word of a lie it's like talking to a child and you have to go round the houses before you finally get what they are actually ringing for. I actually once asked a guy if he needed an interpreter as I thought he was foreign as I really couldn't understand him, turns out his was from Glasgow!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I think a language test should be part of the imigration process. Can't speak English then you can't live here.

I have never encountered anybody born in England unable to speak English. Where do you find them?

I've worked on housing estates in every one of those places and can categorically say that you are talking (quite emphatically) out of your rear end.

I've occasionally had difficulty understanding people from Northern Ireland, and places like Glasgow etc. - but NONE have been unable to speak English.

Communication works in two ways - maybe the issue is with your inability to understand.."

I would agree there as I happen to live on a housing estate and don't know anyone who cannot speak English, and that includes the Polish family who live two doors away and the Chinese family who live opposite

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Ok, we get rid of all interpreters other European countries do the same, you are then either a victim of crime or wrongly arrested, you do not speak the local language and no one can help interpret; what next?

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By *nnebellWoman
over a year ago

somewhere

On new years eve I happened to be sat in our local chemo day unit receiving my lovely poison. I saw 3 interpreters, I know this as I read their NHS badges. This on one visit totalling 1hr, and not for the first time in the last mth have I noticed this occurrence. A vast increase on my last visits 2 years ago. I too wondered about the cost of this service upon the NHS. ...

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