Thanks to everyone who sent information on how they tackle this problem.
Unsurprisingly there is no single, magic formula. Apart from arm waving,
pointing and talking slowly there seem to be two favoured methods of coping:
translating key documents into the languages in most demand and using real
time translation services. Details in the extracts below.
Maxine Goda
From Zahir Ahmed of Leeds:
There is no one stop solution for this but needs tackling in various ways.
With the help of SRB funds we have had many relevant documents translated in
10 languages which include Kurdish, Arabic, Albanian and Farsi. These
documents are currently been transferred onto our local 'Leeds Learning
Network ' to be available at all our linked libraries electronically. These
documents then will be available to look at on screens in PDF.format or
printed out as and when required. They include what is available summary
sheet, all our internet policy docs, how to use WORD, email and internet
guides, a general accesspoint services leaflet and the membership form. A
hard copy folder will also be kept at the relevant libraries.
From John Thompson of Norfolk:
Copies of translations of their welcome leaflet into 10 European languages.
He also said:
See also Babelfish translator which I have used frequently with Chinese and
some Japanese visitors "over the counter" and further recommends the Refugee
Council site at: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/publications/pub002.htm as
being useful in some circumstances.
From Kate Millin of Dudley:
We found in Dudley that a simple leaflet in English using short sentences
was a successful method of communicating as it is virtually impossible to
produce leaflets in every language - 30 and rising in Dudley. At a recent
morning showcasing services available for asylum seekers some of the
attendees picked up the leaflet - went away to look at it on their own, and
then came back to ask questions. They knew English, but needed time to work
through the information in the leaflet - it led to some joining the library
on the day, so the information that they could do so obviously got through!
From Ciara Eastell of Cambridgeshire:
Here in Cambridgeshire, the County Council as a whole has taken out a
subscription with Language Line - a company that provides immediate
translation by phone in 140 languages. We are just starting to use it in
libraries.
For more info on Language Line, their website is
http://www.languageline.com/index.php3
Other authorities using Languageline are Gloucestershire and Birmingham.
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