Comments on: Do other countries provide translators at the tax payer’s expense?

By: squeaky guinea pig

squeaky guinea pig — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:31:59 +0000

If you went abroad, the UN Declaration of Human Rights and its European Convention equivalent both state that in certain circumstances, such as being detained by the police, you have the right to the services of an interpreter and for any charges, etc to be read to you in your own language. The same applies if you are taken to court. This person will be hired by the police or the court and therefore paid for by the public service.

The same applies in many countries to social workers and other public officials who may speak other langauges besides their first to enable them to do their work. In may cases they are provided with or assisted with obtaining lessons by their employer. E.g. public servants in Germany who also speak Turkish, Greek, etc.

I worked in Germany for a time as a teacher and the government funded lessons there in German as a second language for people from abroad.

Many countries also have people of different language groups living within their borders and in such cases their governments will employ translators and interpreters to deal with official business.
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By: korky237

korky237 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:22:59 +0000

Most other country’s dont give out benefits or provide translator, only Britain seem to stand the three card trick ,
paying out benefits to all, especial thoses that have never paid, or are ever likely to pay into the system.
supply translators for over 70 different languages, because they needn’t bother to learn English.
And then have the audacity to make those that do go to work, pay for it,
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By: mrs pin ball uk

mrs pin ball uk — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:09:59 +0000

no. some retired brits in spain and greece are frightened to go to a doctor because they cant afford a translator. if you need a translator for anything, you will quite rightly have to pay.
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By: PATRICK

PATRICK — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:38:59 +0000

In the homelands of the ones that need translators, you do not get benefits for a start. If you want anything and cannot speak the native tongue then you are ignored. If you get arrested, you will basically remain locked up until you can get the british consulate (if it exists) to come to your aid. It costs several millions per year to fund translators. Good work for the few immigrants who take the time to learn english before coming over.
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By: John D

John D — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:24:59 +0000

The last time I went to the Doc's, about 2 years ago, I was kept waiting over 1/2 an hour because the previous patient had to wait for her interpreter to turn up before she could see the Doc.
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By: Back to the drawing board

Back to the drawing board — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:50:59 +0000

I think it’s very likely they do, at least in most European and Scandinavian countries.

There’s a study done by a researcher in Spain about the stresses public service interpreters can face, and if you scroll down to "methodology" you’ll see all the other countries the surveys were sent out to:
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http://accurapid.com/journal/33ips.htm

By: Mark B

Mark B — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:32:59 +0000

No
You are expected to learn the language, and often don’t get benefits as soon as you get to the country anyway, that is why people head here instead.
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By: GARY H

GARY H — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:43:59 +0000

Depends on the circumstances. In court yes, for touring no.
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By: New Labour Voter

New Labour Voter — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:23:59 +0000

Poland I can definitely say no. You pay for translations yourself.
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By: alex

alex — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 10:59:59 +0000

Yes they are ....
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