Translation Policy in a linguistically diverse world
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26512/belasinfieis.v10.n4.2021.36267Keywords:
Minority languages. Language policy. Translation policy. United Kingdom. Old minorities. New minorities.Abstract
In Europe, policy approaches toward old minority languages (i.e., ‘regional’ minority languages) and new minority languages (i.e., ‘immigrant’ languages) are different. This is seen in language policy throughout much of the continent. And yet this distinction between speakers who belong to old minorities and those who belong to new minorities can be questioned, or at least the existence of distinct policy approaches for both groups when dealing with their languages. This paper will argue that if the ultimate goal of social policies – such as language and translations policies – is to bring about a more inclusive state, it may be helpful to think about speakers of old minorities and new minorities not as being essentially different in terms inclusion, but as having specific contextual needs which may or may not be the same. To do so, the paper will focus on the United Kingdom as an example of how things are and how they might be different. In particular, the paper will consider policies regarding translation, which must of necessity arise whenever the state makes choices about language that affect a multilingual population.
Downloads
References
Cardinal, L., Denault, A.-A., & Riendeau, N. (2007). Bilingualism and the politics of language planning and policy-making in Wales. Language Problems and Language Planning, 31(3), 211–234.
Censo da Escócia. Table DC2119SC – Language Other than English Used at Home by Sex by Age. National Records of Scotland. http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/
Comitê Consultivo. Thematic Commentary No. 3, the Language Rights of Persons Belonging to National Minorities under the Framework Convention [Adopted on 24 May, 2012]. Council of Europe. https://rm.coe.int/16800c108d
Conselho de Camden. (2010). Accessible communications guidance. Camdem Council.
Conselho da Fife. (2010). Access to information policy. Fife Council. https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/council-and-democracy/information-requests
Conselho de North Lanarkshire. (2012). Gaelic Language Plan 2012-2015. North Lanarkshire Council.
Conselho Distrital de Strabane. (2011). Linguistic diversity policy, procedures and code of courtesy. Strabane District Council.
Letschert, R. (2007). Succesful Integration while Respecting Diversity: “Old” Minorities versus “New” Minorities. Helsinki Monitor, 18(1), 46–56.
Conselho de Perth e Kinross. (2012). Gaelic Language Plan. Perth and Kinross Council. https://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/17499/12-12-19-Item-17-12-595-/pdf/12.12.19_-_Item_17_(12-595).pdf?m=634967889466830000
Conselho do Condado de Caerphilly. (2012). Strategies equalities plan. Caerphilly County Borough Council. https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/CaerphillyDocs/Equalities/CCBC-Strategic-Equality-Plan-2012-2016.aspx
Conselho do Condado de Denbighshire. (2009). Welsh Language Scheme. Denbighshire County Council. https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/docs/default-source/psa-policies-and-procedures/staff-policies/welsh-language-scheme-2009-english.pdf?sfvrsn=77bf7620_2
Daftary, F., & Grin, F. (2003). Nation-building, Ethnicity and Language Politics in Transition Countries. Open Society Institute.
De Schutter, H. (2007). Language Policy and Political Philosophy. Language Problems and Language Planning, 31(1), 1–23.
Departamento de Comunidades e Governo Local. (2007). Guidance for Local Authorities on Translation of Publications. Centre for Social Relations. http://www.tedcantle.co.uk/publications/031%20%20Guidance%20Translation%20of%20Publications%20DCLG%202008.pdf
Diaz Fouces, O. (2002). La planificació de la mediació lingüística. In O. Diaz Fouces, M. García González & J. Costa Carreras (Orgs.), Traducció i dinàmica sociolingüística (pp. 85–110). Llibres de l’índex.
Dunbar, R. (2001). Minority Language Rights in International Law. The International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 50(1), 90–120.
Dunbar, R. (2008). The Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In R. Dunbar & K. Henrard (Orgs.), Synergies in Minority Protection: European and International Law Perspectives (pp. 155–186). Cambridge University Press.
Edwards, Viv. (2008). New Minority Languages in the United Kingdom. In G. Extra & D. Gorter (Orgs.), Multilingual Europe: Facts and Policies (pp. 253–270). Mouton de Gruyter.
Eide, A. (2008). The Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. In R. Dunbar & K. Henrard (Orgs.), Synergies in Minority Protection: European and International Law Perspectives (pp. 119–154). Cambridge University Press.
Eide, A. (2004). The Rights of “Old” versus “New” Minorities. In European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano and European Centre for Minority Issues (Orgs.), European Yearbook of Minority Issues (Vol. 2, pp. 365–379). Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.
Extra, G., & Gorter, D. (2008). The Constellation of Languages in Europe: An Inclusive Approach. In G. Extra & D. Gorter (Orgs.), Multilingual Europe: Facts and Policies (pp. 3–60). Mouton de Gruyter.
Ginsburgh, V. A., & Weber, S. (2011). How Many Languages Do We Need?: The Economics of Linguistic Diversity. Princeton University Press.
González Núñez, G. (2015). Translating for Minorities in Wales: A Look at Translation Policies. In S. Izwaini (Org.), Papers in Translation Studies (pp. 70–93). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
González Núñez, G. (2013a). Translating to Communicate with Linguistic Minorities: State Obligations under International Law. The International Journal on Minority and Group Rights, 20(3), 405–441.
González Núñez, G. (2013b). Translating for Linguistic Minorities in Northern Ireland: A look at Translation Policy in the Judiciary, Healthcare and Local Government. Current Issues in Language Planning, 14(3), 474–489.
Grin, F. (1994). Combining Immigrant and Autochthonous Language Rights: A Territorial Approach to Multilingualism. In T. Skutnabb-Kangas, R. Phillipson & M. Rannut (Orgs), Linguistic Human Rights: Overcoming Linguistic Discrimination (pp. 31–48). Mouton de Gruyter.
Grin, F. (2005). Linguistic Human Rights as a Source of Policy Guidelines: A Critical Assessment. Journal of Sociolinguistics, 9(3), 448–460.
Gubbins, P., & Holt, M. (2002). Beyond Boundaries: Language and Identity in Contemporary Europe. Multilingual Matters.
Holt, S., & Packer, J. (2001). OSCE Developments and Linguistic Minorities. International Journal on Multicultural Societies, 3(2), 99–126.
Hobsbawm, E. J. (2000). Nations and Nationalism since 1780: Programme, Myth, Reality (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Kymlicka, W. (2001). Politics in the Vernacular: Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Citizenship. Oxford University Press.
Kymlicka, W., & Patten, A. (2003). Language Rights and Political Theory. Oxford University Press.
May, S. (2003). Rearticulating the Case for Minority Language Rights. Current Issues in Language Planning, 4(1), 95–125.
McDermott, P. (2011). Migrant Languages in the Public Space: A Case Study from Northern Ireland. Lit Verlag.
Medda-Windischer, R. (2009). Old and New Minorities: Reconciling Diversity and Cohesion. Nomos.
Meylaerts, R. (2011). Translational Justice in a Multilingual World. Meta, 56(4), 743–757.
Mowbray, J. (2012). Linguistic Justice: International Law and Language Policy. Oxford University Press.
Nic Craith, M. (2007). Rethinking Language Policies: Challenges and Opportunities. In C. H. Williams (Org.), Language and Governance (pp. 159–184). University of Wales Press.
Pym, A. (2012). Translation as an Instrument for Multilingual Democracy. Simpósio Multilingual 2.0?, Tucson, Arizona, Estados Unidos da América.
Tipton, R. (2012). Public Service Interpreting and the Politics of Entitlement for New Entrants to the United Kingdom. Journal of Language and Politics, 11(2), 185–206.
Weinstock, D. M. (2003). The Antinomy of Language Rights. In W. Kylicka & A. Patten (Orgs.), Language Rights and Political Theory (pp. 250–271). Oxford University Press.
Whitefield, G. (2008). Making Communications Accessible and Inclusive – Guidelines for Translation and Interpretation. North Lanarkshire Council.
Williams, C. H. (2013). Linguistic Minorities in Democratic Context. Palgrave Macmillan.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 CC BY
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Given the public access to this journal, the texts are free to use but requires the recognition of the original authorship and initial publication in this journal to be properly stated.
 The journal allows the use of works published for non-commercial purposes, including the right to submit the work to publicly accessible databases. Published contributions are the sole and exclusive responsibility of the author(s).Â
