Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

At the moment should a person that is unable to speak or understand English can request an interpreter at no cost to themselves when dealing with likes of the NHS, Local Authorities etc.

Given the level of cuts we are enduring should these services cease to be funded by the state?

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Its grey area to be fair it all depends on the reasons for interpreter. Say for criminal situation it should be as basic as providing a lawyer. Same too realistically for border controls too.

So no not as blanket thing as you could cause issues in investigations if they refused to pay for the intepreter.

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Agreed to a certain extent. What about those non english speakers who have made their home here and have been resident for many years, surely these people have a responsiblity to learn english?

With the NHS do you want your taxes spent on interpreters or life saving drugs, operations or even care for the elderly?

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Are you still beating your wife?

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

and if they don't speak English, how would the diagnosis be undertaken?

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Troll

---------- Post added at 22:28 ---------- Previous post was at 22:26 ----------

Charity seems to be the method of choice for people who need help nowadays.

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

would you be willing to stake your life on charitable help? I don't think "choice" would be the correct word.

And I think Daniel was pointing out your question was a little loaded?

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Re Daniel, perhaps he should say what he means rather than having you interpret for him.

Hugh, there are many resources that are available to non english speakers including free English lessons. In todays society there is no reason why someone who wishes to live here cannot make the effort to learn the main language of the uk.

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

I agree anyone living in a country should try to learn the language (as I did when I lived in Germany (quite badly)), but I would hate to stake my life on it if it wasn't up to scratch.

btw, I thought danielf's point was fairly clear.

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Not anymore. she left me.

I think just leave it as it is. a lot of them are on the end of the phone line, and volunteers anyway.

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Are you still beating your wife :)

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Hugh, re when you stayed in Germany would you have paid for an interpreter if the state would not provide one?

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

is that for everything or just the NHS and authorities?

if it was for the police then you don't want to say anything to them anyway. it's best to keep quiet and don't tell them who you really are.

if it's for a shop then you can just point and make gestures, like some foreigners do over here.

for everything else you can just show them your money and point at them.

Actually I suppose you mean for the NHS and stuff if you say if the state would not provide one. and I'd say that they wouldn't refuse treatment just because you're not willing to pay to translate details.

but Britain is becoming uncaring and stingy now. so they probably would refuse treatment and let you die in the corridor anyway.

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Many immigrants already speak some English ,those that don't get provided an interpreter so that authorities can convey instruction to them .Most immigrants do learn to speak the language enough to get them by for their own convenience which is usually what English people do when abroad .Some of the elderly generation of immigrants don't learn our language or find it difficult to grasp such a complicated language at their time of life but they will eventually die out and be replaced by immigrants of a younger generation complete with yorkshire,geordie,scouse accents leaving us only those new immigrants that have recently entered the country to supply interpreters for ,exactly the same as if you went to a foreign country and didn't speak the language but needed help .

I read your OP and wonder if you have a grasp of the English language

Re: Interpreters for non English Speakers
 

Read the member profile:

(That's a joke Stu...)