More than 150,000 Victorians speak English ‘not well' or ‘not at all' (source: 2006 census).
With so many people experiencing a language barrier, quality language services are essential.
It is Victorian Government policy that government departments and funded agencies have language services policies and procedures in place.
Effective use of language services can include:
professional interpreters
Interpreting is communicating between spoken or sign languages between two parties that do not share a common language.
Interpreting can be conducted over the telephone, through video or internet conferencing or face-to-face.
Professional interpreters are accredited to undertake this work and observe an occupational code of ethics which includes confidentiality, competence, impartiality and accuracy.
bilingual staff
Bilingual staff use English and another language in their work and are employed in a range of occupations - not always for their skill in communicating between two languages.
Bilingual staff can fill simple communication gaps when working with clients with low English proficiency. As yet there are no universally accepted standards, qualifications or assessment measures for bilingual staff.
translations
Translating is communicating through written information. Translated resources in written, audio or audio-visual formats can reach a wide audience, including people who have not previously used your service.
Translated resources are most effective when used as part of interpreted consultations.
Translated resources should never be offered in isolation when a critical health or legal decision needs to be made.