Does translation deter learning?
No one will be unaware of the huge amount of material being translated into a multitude of languages in the UK today. Such material is usually originated by Government, Councils and other public or public service providing bodies, such as Schools and public transport companies.
Ostensibly, these translations are provided in order to aid the growing immigrant population of the UK and if questioned, the originators of these translated materials will inform you that they are obliged to provide these by law. The imperatives that are oft quoted with regards to these translated materials are; The Race Relations Act and the Human Rights Act.
In actual fact though, the former only states that all sections of the community should have equal access to services and the latter only calls for translation to be provided if someone is specifically charged with a criminal act. The momentum for translations then, seems to be carried forward on a sea of misunderstanding of the requirements and of over zealous officials.
Whatever the cause of easy translations is there not a danger that providing translations actually discourages the learning of English? Now if I had a translation, I would start comparing translated text, against source text as a learning tool; but how many new arrivals do you think would be so diligent? If you are given the answers to a math’s test, why bother to work out the answers for yourself?
Surely the way to learn a language for most people is to totally immerse oneself in that language, in a sort of ‘sink or swim’ strategy?
Now a helping hand is great at times…and assistance should be offered…but surely that assistance should be in the form of English classes for all new arrivals?
Give a man a handout and he’ll be satisfied for a while…teach him to fish and he’ll be self reliant for ever…unless anyone else knows any different?
November 24th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Now, I differ from you a bit here. As far as I think, the provision of translations is limited to and aimed for the so called older generation who, IMO, are unable to learn English due to various reasons like age factor, lack of the time due to looking after the family and other day to day duties. The younger generation attending the schools do NOT require ant translation. The translations will have to be continued for the purpose of English content reach the former generation.