Translated documents

View documents translated into community languages >>

Translation and Interpreting Service

Bristol City Council's Translation and Interpreting Service exists to make services more accessible to Black and Minority Ethnic people whose first language is not English.

Translations of council documents and interpreters at council meetings can be arranged for Bristol residents.

We have a register of approximately 150 local translators and interpreters and we can provide a quality service in almost any language that you may require:

• 12 core languages - Albanian, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Somali, Urdu and Vietnamese
• All European languages
• Various other languages - Farsi, Pushtu, Croatian, Bosnian, and other Asian and African languages

Consultancy

We provide consultancy on access to services for and communication with Black and Minority Ethnic communities. We also advise on:

• Appropriate translator/interpreter according to gender, age and subject matter.
• Cultural norms and values.
• Appropriateness of material to be translated, e.g.: jargon, terminology.
• Readership of target communities.
• Length of documents.
• Formatting of documents.
• Distribution and dissemination of translations.
• Other forms of information-sharing, e.g. conferences, audio cassettes/CDs.
• The appropriate use of clients' budgets (e.g. it might be more cost effective to have an interpreter to explain some of the information rather than have lengthy and expensive translations).

Bristol City Council is committed to investing in local communities. Therefore, all our translators and interpreters are from Black and other Minority Ethnic Communities in and around Bristol, with extensive knowledge on the needs of their community. The resources generated through the Translation and Interpreting Service impact on local communities in terms of employment opportunities and income generation into the communities and the local economy.

A useful customer guide entitled "Guidelines on the Effective Use of Translators and Interpreters", produced by the TIS, is available at the bottom of this page.

Interpreting

An interpreter works 'in person', orally, translating back and forth between two or more individuals. Our interpreters assist in the communication process between the user and client, as well as informing both parties on issues relating to culture, customs, religion etc. We provide interpreters in almost all Asian, European and some African languages.

Telephone interpreting - In some circumstances when a client's identity has to be protected or an interpreter cannot be provided due to short notice or long distances, we can provide telephone interpreting.

Translation

A translator works with written material, translating documents from one language to another. If you require written material to be translated, we provide a quality service in almost any language that you may require. There are a number of services available to you:

• Typeset translations (typesetting is material which has been computer-formatted using specialist language software).
• Formatted translations, e.g. if you require posters or leaflets.
• Audio taping/voice-over translations - suitable for clients who are visually impaired or not literate in their mother tongue.
• Proof-reading - for full quality assurance we provide a proof-reading service. People other than those who have translated the initial document undertake this task.

Audio - we can provide translation on audio tapes or CDs for people with visual impairment or people who can't read in any language.

How to apply

To formally request an interpreter you need to fax or post one of the request forms at the bottom of this page.

To formally request a translation/quotation, you need to email, fax or post one of the request forms at the bottom of this page.

If you have trouble opening the PDF forms, please contact us.

We are always happy to discuss your needs. You can contact us by phone, fax or e-mail - our details are below.

Monitoring

Use the monitoring form below to provide feedback on an interpreters after a session has taken place. We value this feedback and ask that you complete monitoring forms wherever possible.

Charges

Our current charging policy is effective as of 1st August 2006. You can download a copy below.

How to get a translation / interpreter

Often, the more commonly requested documents have already been translated. These include essential information about housing and social services.

If the document has not been translated or you need to request an interpreter, you should contact:

Translation and Interpreting Service
Room U16
The Council House
College Green
Bristol
BS1 5TR.

Tel: 0117 903 6400
Fax 0117 903 6427
E-mail: tis@bristol.gov.uk

The service is always looking for new interpreters and translators. For further details please contact the team directly.