Aspects of a ST’s poetics or ideology can and often do condemn works to

it is crucial to learn other languages’ Spivak 19932000:190 may be understandable from her perspective but would be potentially inflammatory if applied in reverse in border cultures where a minority language is struggling for its identity and were the argument to be used as a means of prohibiting translation or minority language use, as has happened with the English-only legislation in over twenty states in the USA. Task C13.8 ➤ Investigate how language policy, specifically the prohibition of the use of a language, is used for political reasons by the dominant group in a culture. ➤ Carry out a web-based search on English-only legislation in the USA. What are the official statements about the use of languages other than English? ➤ Consider what public opinion says. How visible is the voice of the minority groups? ➤ Compare your findings with the situation in your own city, region or country. Extensive migration and the growing recognition of border cultures means that more translation, and interpreting, is occurring worldwide, and this includes the home countries of the former colonizers. In the United Kingdom, for instance, this can involve interpreting for asylum seekers at the point of entry but also a wide range of information leaflets, especially on health, in the minority languages of the local communities. Task C13.9 In the United Kingdom and Australia, among others, one of the main areas of translation for minority groups is health care. Information leaflets are provided by local authorities on a large range of topics from infant nutrition and illnesses to caring for the elderly. Two sample websites which contain many translations of this type of material are those of Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust in London http:www.hiel.nhs.ukresourceproductionFactsheetsindex. html and New South Wales Health in Australia http:www.health.nsw.gov.au health-public-affairsmhcs. ➤ Look at the information available on these two websites. ➤ How many languages are provided? How do these languages vary between the two sites? Are you surprised by the inclusion or omission of any languages? ➤ How do the topics covered differ between the sites? 318 E x p l o r a t i o n C SECTION ★ ★