Lorna Higgins, Account Manager, recently attended the launch of the official “Happy to Translate” logo at The Hub, Edinburgh.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm launching the “Happy to Translate” Logo
This translation and interpreting programme developed by three Scottish housing associations to better integrate Scotland’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities has now received government backing.The “Happy to Translate” logo symbolises successful communication between two people who do not share a common language. The initiative is being developed to help improve the quality of life of people in Scotland who speak or read little or no English or who use a non-verbal language. As launch chair, Prof. Geoff Palmer O.B.E, said: “No Communication…No Information…No Service.”
The “Happy to Translate” Logo Initiative, devised by Trust, Hanover (Scotland) and Bield Housing Associations, has also been praised by Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm for promoting access to information for Scottish residents for whom English is not a first language. Mr Chisholm said: ‘In order to build a Scotland that is fair and just we must ensure that everyone has equal access to our public services, information and resources.’
All programme members will display the “Happy to Translate” logo to show that they provide language assistance to BME communities. In addition to the three founder associations, the City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian & Borders Police, the Moray Council and NHS Lothian are the first organisations to commit to piloting the Logo commencing in 2005. More pilot organisations from throughout Scotland will be announced over the coming 18 months.
The logo compliments the statutory obligations of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 to tackle “institutional racism” within organisations in the UK. Institutional racism is the collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin. It may be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people. This includes failure to provide language and communication assistance.
The design of the “Happy to Translate” logo was the result of extensive consultation last year in 8 languages with BME communities, support staff and translating and interpreting specialists throughout Scotland. The programme has been supported by funding from the Scottish Executive and Communities Scotland – for more information go to https://www.happytotranslate.com/.