Issued by: Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
7 June 1996
TELEPHONE INTERPRETING SERVICE TO ASSIST MOTHER TONGUE SPEAKERS IN GAINING EASIER ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
Minister Ngubane, in addressing the general meeting of the South African Translator Institute (SATI) at UNISA, Pretoria today, made an announcement on a telephone interpreting service for South Africa.
The following is an extract from the Minister's speech:
"We are set to establish a telephone interpreting service for South Africa which will provide direct language assistance to individuals accessing a government service when they cannot speak the language of the official concerned. With this system a telephone will no longer be a mere two-way communication device, but will in the true sense of the word become a "language link" making an immediate three-way conversation possible between an inquirer (for example a patient), an interpreter and a third person (for example a doctor or a nurse, etc.)."
"We anticipate that in the long run this telephone interpreting service will operate nation-wide and that we will be in a position to provide a 24-hour, seven-day-a week service. Clients could include Government departments and agencies, legal practioners, local government authorities, medical practitioners and health authorities, the police service, etc."
"Besides the obvious empowering potential of such a language service for all South Africans, this project could create unique employment opportunities for you as language workers. This should include new employment for (a) trainers of professional interpreters, but also for (b) language workers such as interpreters on an ongoing basis. This should result in sustainable job creation unparalled in the language facilitation profession in South Africa."
Contact: Frans Basson Tel: (021) 454860/70