This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7131768.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Councils told to translate less Councils urged to translate less
(about 5 hours later)
Councils should be able to translate fewer documents and signs into foreign languages in future, according to new government guidelines. Councils are being advised to "think twice" about spending money on translation which might be better spent on English classes.
Having materials converted into other tongues discourages some people in the UK from learning English, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears is due to say. Announcing new government guidelines, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears urged councils to use common sense before deciding what needs translating.
And "relatively obscure" information is translated too often, she will add. Translating "big annual reports...which very few people read" was not the best use of money, she told BBC News.
Last year, a BBC investigation suggested local authorities could be spending £100m annually on the process. BBC research has suggested councils are spending £100m a year on translation.
Ms Blears spoke to BBC Breakfast ahead of a speech in which she will call on local authorities and other organisations to rethink their policies.
'Better spent'
She said she did not want to lay down rules, but wanted to ask councils to think about whether it was necessary to translate some material.
"Sometimes translating big annual reports into lots of languages which very few people read isn't the best use of money. And that money could perhaps be better spent on English classes so that people can learn the language."
What it says is, we should take a common sense approach, switch from perhaps an automatic pilot approach to translating material Darra SinghEaling Council
She said there was a "lot of translation... that doesn't need to happen" and said migrants who could speak English had a better chance of getting a job and being part of the community.
And she said councils, the police and NHS could work together so "instead of translating something three times, can you do something together if it has to be translated? It's basically common sense."
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".
'Bizarre' translation
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' The department drew attention to anecdotal examples of "unnecessary or bizarre types of translation" - such as leaflets being rewritten in languages which were not spoken locally.
The department drew attention to anecdotal examples of "unnecessary or bizarre types of translation" of which it was aware. Ealing Council's chief executive Darra Singh told the BBC earlier: "The new guidance that the government are issuing today is really incredibly welcome.
We need a fundamental rebalancing of our approach, putting a greater focus on learning English Hazel Blears, Communities Secretary "What it says is, we should take a common sense approach, switch from perhaps an automatic pilot approach to translating material, but really think about is this material really essential to be translated into another language or not?"
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.
"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.
"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."