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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Councils told to translate less | Councils told to translate less |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Councils should be able to translate fewer documents and signs into foreign languages in future, according to new government guidelines. | Councils should be able to translate fewer documents and signs into foreign languages in future, according to new government guidelines. |
| Having materials converted into other tongues discourages some people in the UK from learning English, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears is due to say. | Having materials converted into other tongues discourages some people in the UK from learning English, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears is due to say. |
| And "relatively obscure" information is translated too often, she will add. | And "relatively obscure" information is translated too often, she will add. |
| Last year, a BBC investigation suggested local authorities could be spending £100m annually on the process. | Last year, a BBC investigation suggested local authorities could be spending £100m annually on the process. |
| The BBC's Home Editor, Mark Easton, said he had been told by the Department of Health 12 months ago that an "obligation to translate is clearly laid out in the Race Relations Act". | The BBC's Home Editor, Mark Easton, said he had been told by the Department of Health 12 months ago that an "obligation to translate is clearly laid out in the Race Relations Act". |
| But now the Department of Communities has insisted that "there is no legal reason for all materials to be translated", our correspondent said. | But now the Department of Communities has insisted that "there is no legal reason for all materials to be translated", our correspondent said. |
| English an 'asset' | English an 'asset' |
| The department drew attention to anecdotal examples of "unnecessary or bizarre types of translation" of which it was aware. | The department drew attention to anecdotal examples of "unnecessary or bizarre types of translation" of which it was aware. |
| We need a fundamental rebalancing of our approach, putting a greater focus on learning English Hazel Blears, Communities Secretary | We need a fundamental rebalancing of our approach, putting a greater focus on learning English Hazel Blears, Communities Secretary |
| These included leaflets being rewritten in languages which were not spoken locally and annual reports being translated into more than 10 languages when demand for the documents in English was very low anyway. | These included leaflets being rewritten in languages which were not spoken locally and annual reports being translated into more than 10 languages when demand for the documents in English was very low anyway. |
| Ms Blears is to use a speech on Friday to call for local authorities and other organisations to reconsider their policies on the matter. | Ms Blears is to use a speech on Friday to call for local authorities and other organisations to reconsider their policies on the matter. |
| "Whilst there may be some cases where translation is appropriate, public bodies should have common-sense strategies in place," she is expected to say. | |
| "Speaking English is the greatest asset you can possess to get a better job, get involved in your community, and to get on and do well for yourself and your family. | "Speaking English is the greatest asset you can possess to get a better job, get involved in your community, and to get on and do well for yourself and your family. |
| "Translation can never be a substitute for learning English, and we need a fundamental rebalancing of our approach, putting a greater focus on learning English." | "Translation can never be a substitute for learning English, and we need a fundamental rebalancing of our approach, putting a greater focus on learning English." |