INFORMATION SHEET 6
MULTILINGUAL INFORMATION
PLANNING
COMMUNICATIONS
To ensure that communications are useful and linguistically appropriate, it is
important to consult with migrant community organisations, community workers
(preferably those that work in the specific field covered by the information
material) and community members.
These consultations should provide additional insight into the following factors:

Individuals who do not need an interpreter for verbal communication may still
prefer written information to be translated.

Individuals may not be literate in their preferred language. This may be the
case for people from countries with oral traditions.

Workers in the field and ethnic communities can advise about which
language groups have a significant need for translated information.
Smaller, recently arrived communities are likely to have fewer alternative
information sources, such as internet access and community networks, than
established communities.
Consultation with target groups is important in identifying the preferred
communication method. Communications which include components in English
and languages other than English may be:

in print - such as translated brochures and booklets, factsheets, business
cards, advertising flyers and postcards, posters, forms and papers, story
boards and advertisements;

electronically - translated or original language messages on the Internet,
Intranet or by email;

audio visually - subtitled, dubbed, voice-overed or original language videos,
mp3s, ethnic radio television scripts and audio and video clips on websites;
and/or

through bilingual/bi-cultural workers, focus groups or information sessions.
An effective communication strategy may well be a combination of the above
mediums of communication.
The Tasmanian Government Communications Policy (available at
www.communications.tas.gov.au/policy) provides guidance to agencies in respect of
public communications, and should be referred to in all agency communications.
Communities, Sport and Recreation Tasmania
Department of Premier and Cabinet
PLANNING
To ensure that communications are useful and linguistically appropriate, it is
important to consult with migrant community organisations.
Multilingual communication requirements need to be planned based on market
research and the use of client profile data which identifies language spoken,
literacy levels, age, gender and year of arrival in Australia. Planning also includes
dissemination strategies and evaluation and feedback mechanisms.
Language choices should be based on in-house locally-researched information as
well as external data sources such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census
and other demographic data.
The choice of media used to communicate with clients also needs to be carefully
considered taking into account factors such as the percentage of people who do
not speak English well or at all, and/or who have access to the internet.
It is recommended that ethnic communities, business associations and peak
agencies be included in decisions about information needs, formats and
dissemination strategies. Agencies should organise their own networks and may
obtain advice from the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Communities, Sport
and Recreation Tasmania Division about culturally and linguistically diverse
communities in Tasmania. The Division is currently preparing a series of
Tasmanian community profiles for new and emerging communities. The previous
Department of Immigration and Citizenship has also developed community
profiles to better assist agencies understand the background and needs of
Humanitarian program arrivals. These profiles are available at: www.immi.gov.au
Your ethnic community network may be available to give feedback on a draft
multilingual product. This checking for cultural appropriateness is a vital part of
any multilingual information strategy and will include feedback on the
appropriateness of photography and artwork (eg cartoons) as well as language.
Agencies need to balance the imperatives of getting information to large identified
groups with the information requirements of smaller or emerging groups and
regional/isolated communities.
The marketing of government products and services in multilingual form to
international destinations requires sensitivity to local acceptability factors.
Tasmania’s multicultural community is an ideal resource for product testing.
Planning can include professional development of bilingual staff to encourage
them to attain National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
(NAATI) certification as a bilingual worker and use their language skills in the
workplace, or to become a credentialed interpreter or translator.
Multicultural Language Services Guidelines
for Tasmanian Government Agencies
Communities, Sport and Recreation Tasmania
Department of Premier and Cabinet
2
ORGANISING TRANSLATIONS
Selecting languages for the translation of information can be challenging.
Considering languages with the highest number of speakers may not necessarily
be the most targeted or useful approach. Often what is required is an understanding
of the target audience, their language requirements and the type of materials that
are to be translated.
Factors to consider collectively when deciding the appropriate languages for
translated communication materials include product usage, reach, language
needs, and the level of language.
Information intended for translation for members of the public should be in simple
and plain English. A translation will be far more effective if the original English
text is clear and stylistically consistent.
The term ‘plain English’ refers to clear language that a target audience can
readily understand and act on the first time that they read it. Plain English is
effective because it:

focuses on the message;

uses no more words than are necessary; and

avoids jargon and complex language.
The translation of documents should be performed by a NAATI credentialed
translator whenever possible. Using credentialed translators provides agencies
with more confidence that the product will be accurate, professional and appropriate.
NAATI translator credential levels include Professional Translator, Advanced
Translator and Paraprofessional Translator. Tasmanian Government agencies
should use NAATI credentialed translators at the Professional level where available,
and Paraprofessional as the next option. NAATI Recognised Translators can be
used for new and emerging languages in which there are no Professional or
Paraprofessional Translators available.
Verification through a NAATI stamp may be required for legal documents (such
as translations of birth certificates) or driver’s licences which are used to prove a
person’s identity.
It is recommended that translations are either checked by a second translator or
tested with the particular language group to ensure the most accurate translation
in terms of context and intended message.
Agencies’ policies and procedures should state who should and should not be
engaged as a translator and provide advice on the approval process required for
material to be translated into another language.
Multicultural Language Services Guidelines
for Tasmanian Government Agencies
Communities, Sport and Recreation Tasmania
Department of Premier and Cabinet
3
DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION
Agencies should consider which distribution methods are most effective for the
communities they wish to target. The Tasmanian Government encourages the
use of the nationally endorsed interpreter symbol when distributing information.
Distribution options to consider include:

using community and multicultural broadcasters such as Hobart FM 96.1
(south), City Park Radio (north) and community newspapers;

providing information to settlement service providers, ethnic community
organisations and peak and service bodies such as the Migrant Resource
Centre and the Multicultural Council of Tasmania;

providing information through local churches, mosques, temples and cultural
clubs; and

via the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s, Communities, Sport and
Recreation Division Multicultural Communities Distribution List by emailing
multicultural@dpac.tas.gov.au.
Multicultural Language Services Guidelines
for Tasmanian Government Agencies
Communities, Sport and Recreation Tasmania
Department of Premier and Cabinet
4