Crime Does Not Pay For Interpreters

This article follows an article published by the DailyCommissioner Viviane Reding for 'the right to
Express 'Cost of translators for foreign criminals isinterpretation throughout the entire judicial procedure,
£34M' (21 March 2010), which caused great concerntranslation for all documents and a guarantee of
and outrage amongst professional court and policegetting advice from a lawyer before waiving such
interpreters. Indeed, the article is inaccurate from therights'. [For more details on proposed legislation see
outset: the title refers to translators (who deal withthe EC website or ECJ ]
the written word) whereas the content of the articleFurthermore, the article neglects to make it clear that
discusses interpreters (who deal with the spokenthe people requiring these services have not
word).necessarily broken the law. As our freelancer
We decided to set the record straight and fight theconfirms: 'my work for the police and courts involves
corner for interpreters nationwide with the help of aGerman speaking people who require assistance in
public service interpreter and freelance translator,difficult situations. They are involved in road traffic
who commented that:accidents as offenders, victims and witnesses and
Populist reports [like this] in the British press aboutonly a very small number of them are criminals.'
how much foreigners (often equalled with foreignNot only was the article in the Express misleading
criminals) cost the British taxpayer play very much inregarding the circumstances under which interpreters
the hands of certain parties that want to denyare employed by the state, but the article also falsely
non-English speakers in the UK their right toportrayed public service interpreting as highly
interpretation and translation.profitable. On the contrary, the set rates paid to
Indeed the European Convention for Human Rightspublic service translators are significantly lower than
states, under Article 5 (2) that 'Everyone who isinterpreting charges on the open market and,
arrested shall be informed promptly, in a languagemoreover, they have not been increased for three
which he understands, of the reason for his arrestyears despite inflation.
and of any charge against him.' This right to anGiven that to train as a professional translator or
interpreter and/or translator is reiterated under Articleinterpreter takes five to seven years - as long as a
6 (3a) which explains that everyone, regardless ofmedical degree - surely public service language
origin, 'be informed promptly, in a language which heproviders deserve more respect and the right to
understands and in detail, of the nature and cause ofbetter wages? A member of our in-house team who
the accusation against him.'also works as a public service interpreter comments
This is clearly a necessary human right and one whichthat the 'training is long, specialised knowledge and
UK citizens would expect to receive if found in similarskills are required and without public service
circumstances abroad - and we can all imagine theinterpreters the NHS, the courts and the police would
reaction from the tabloid newspapers if a Britishfind their work much more difficult.'
person in these circumstances abroad was deniedIn conclusion, it is evident that the article in the
English speaking advice and assistance. This isExpress is inaccurate and sensationalist: Crime Does
currently a hot topic in European politics: last weekNot Pay for Interpreters and indeed they often
the European Parliament announced its support formake themselves available to provide this essential
new EU legalisation ensuring a high standard ofpublic service at the expense of their other, more
protection for suspects' interpretation and translationlucrative, language work - it's not called Public Service
rights in criminal proceedings. The vote to back theInterpreting for nothing!
measures followed a call from EU Justice