Jargonbusters

For people involved in charity fundraising or management, the first edition of Jargonbusters is a great resource.  It aims to define and explain many different terms used by charities and community groups, such as aims and objectives, mission, indicators.

Here is the link (click on it) for Jargonbusters.

English only in the workplace

Workers at a Waterstone’s Distribution Centre in Burton upon Trent are petitioning bosses against a new requirement to speak only English during working hours.  They have accused bosses of discrimination and human rights infringements. The policy does not cover breaks, when workers are free to talk in their native languages. 

It is an interesting study in the feelings that can surround a language barrier.  The management claim that the English-speaking workers feel marginalised or isolated.  They also say that if half of the workforce are speaking one language and the other half speaking another, this is divisive and does not aid teamwork. 

My own research shows that English speaking staff don't always adapt their language for colleagues who are proficient - but not fluent - in English.  Maybe the native English speakers really aren't aware of the slang that they use or the fact that they're talking quickly.  This can discourage colleagues who are trying to learn English and use it at work.

Learn English or lose benefits

David Cameron announced last week that people claiming jobseeker's allowance who do not learn English will lose some benefits.  I hope the JobCentre advisors will be given training on how to assess English skills in order to be able to refer them to an appropriate course.  It can't be done in a short interview.  At least the government has restored funding for ESOL classes for everyone on benefits.

Census Question - What is your main language?

Interesting to see that the recent census collected information on proficiency in language for the first time. If you stated that your main language is not English, you then had to rate your ability in English. To the question "How well can you speak English?" you could rate your level 'Very well', 'well', 'not well' or 'not at all'. The Office for National Statistics says the data will help them "identify the number of people who might need additional help when accessing or using public services." We look forward to seeing the results. We should note though that rating your proficiency in another language is very subjective. People have a tendency to be modest about their level sometimes saying they can't speak English when in fact they can. This can be because they think their English is basic and don't want someone speaking to them as if they are fluent.

Lord Sugar approves Chalmers & Byrne techniques

If you had been watching 'The Apprentice' last week you may have thought that Lord Sugar had been on a Chalmers & Byrne Training course.

When 'Apprentice' hopeful Laura failed to slow down when talking to a German businessman, Lord Sugar bemoaned her lack of 'export English'. This, as those of you who have been on our training will know, is the art of 'chunking'!

Interestingly, when her colleague Stuart pointed this out to her after the meeting with the businessman, she said she hadn't been talking quickly! It just goes to show people often have a lack of awareness as to how fast they do talk.

Milton Keynes increases number of translators

The Community Language Service of Milton Keynes has been in the news this week. The number of translators has increased from 20 in 2000, to 300 in 2010. The service now offers translation in 84 languages rather than the original 12.

Gloria Drew, co-ordinator of the service said that the nature of users had changed significantly over the years. She said "When we first started we were helping those who were highly educated with professional jobs such as doctors. Now their relatives have arrived and they are not as highly educated and need our help more."

New languages that have been added to the service include Twi (the second largest language in Ghana) and Yoruba (used in Nigeria). By the end of the year they plan to add Pashto, an Afghan language.

Interpreters have a six day training assessment when they learn all the terminology for social services, health and housing.

Baby death leads to review

A case review has been ordered into the death of a seriously malnourished baby boy in London despite the involvement of nine different health professionals. The boy was found dead in a flat in March. Two days later, his mother, who was HIV positive, died in hospital.

The baby was not considered to be at risk by social services. At least some of the problem seems to be that the Eritrean mother refused an interpreter in January because she was afraid that members of her own community might find out about her HIV status.

"It is something we have to tackle regularly," Lisa Power, policy officer of the Terence Higgins Trust said. "People absolutely fear that if anybody from their own community knows, that information will go around and they will be excluded from that community."