Article in Portsmouth's 'The News': Hampshire Police 'wasting' money on interpreters

Joseph Jeffries wrote:

Morning everyone,

I found this story just now and it truly made my blood boil. I felt moved to have a bit of a rant, probably unnecessary but it did make me feel better. I don't think I need to tell you which of the comments came from my fair hand...

Here's the article:

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Police-urged-to-cut-700000.6702370.jp

What do you all think? Do any of you agree with the Unison rep that too much money is being spent on interpreters?

Joe

[Edited at 2011-01-27 08:49 GMT]

Myriam Garcia Bernabe wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

This is another one amongst the many articles I have seen over the years.

It is increasingly annoying that reporters and/or those people whose comments they report on do not really bother to investigate their stories fully.

I have been a public services interpreter for 7 years and the money I earn has steadly been reduced to the point that I have to opt out of working for some agencies.

Yes, this work is only tendered out by the government to agencies and the increasing costs of the contracts is down to negotiations between the government and agencies, nothing to do with the interpreters themselves.

I have followed the link you have provided and found that the reporter who wrote it has an e-mail address. This time, I intend to write a very informative email to see if I can put matters straight. Not sure how much good it will do, though.

Best
Myriam

Joseph Jeffries wrote:



What do you all think? Do any of you agree with the Unison rep that too much money is being spent on interpreters?

Joseph Jeffries wrote:

Hi Myriam,

Thanks for the reply, very interesting to read your views and experience. I have already written to the reporter who wrote the article, I doubt it will make a lot of difference but at least they might pay a bit more attention next time a story like this comes up.

To be honest, I almost find the reader comments at the bottom of the article more disturbing than the story itself...

Joe

Lingua 5B wrote:



Not sure what to think.. I remember I had been told the same thing straight to my face when I was an interpreter ( by some other non-interpreter staff). It was very weird, because interpreters were the key factors for them to do certain projects/jobs. It was simply impossible for them to move onto a next stage before finishing that part that required an interpreter. It's not some luxury asset, it was a true necessity. Well then pay the price for it.

I have nothing against them training the police officers.. maybe then they will realize what kind of task it is and how much it's worth, first-hand. Hopefully.

[Edited at 2011-01-27 11:45 GMT]

Laurent KRAULAND wrote:

Look at the comment from ScottishWildcat57 - it's mine FWIW.

Joseph Jeffries wrote:

As for the training of police officers, I too think it could be a very good solution. What I'm against, though, is the perception that anyone who can utter a few words in a foreign language can do the job of a trained interpreter. It wouldn't bother me so much, but this seems to be the attitude of people who are actually in the police service. I find that more than a little worrying.

That's precisely why they should engage in an actual training/ interpreting process. To see first hand that their marginal knowledge of a foreign language won't work when they start tangling themselves up in sending messages back and forth in two different languages. Perhaps it's the only way for them to realize they aren't up to task. So, I say, yes: please do train them. Or even if they are to be prepared to be good interpreters, it will take years of full-time training, not some quick dilettante course.

Joseph Jeffries wrote:


... And, ironically, it would probably cost more to train the police officers than it would to pay an interpreter / agency to provide the service.