How to handle communication with patients and service users who do not speak the majority language is an unresolved issue for most welfare state institutions in European countries. In this post we disseminate the results of our research “Language interpreting and brokering in Swedish public service institutions”, published in issue 71 of Revista de Llengua I Dret, Journal of Language and Law, which focus on the use of non-professional interpreting conducted by children and relatives in public service institutions.

A vital question is whether the use of non-professional interpreting is a problem or an option, and why. The question might be considered controversial since in Sweden the legally supported practice is to use professional interpreters. The Administrative Procedure Act (SSB, 2017: 900§ 13) stipulates: “An authority shall use an interpreter and ensure translation of documents if necessary for the individual to be able to take advantage of their rights, when the authority has contact with someone who does not have command of the Swedish language” (SSB, 2017: 900 § 13).Llegeix més »