Translating in Linguistically Diverse Societies: Translation policy in the United Kingdom(125 Benjamins Translation Library)

This work is the first book-length treatment on translation policy. Nearly everywhere in the world, populations are multilingual and mobile; consequently, language policies developed by the authorities must include choices about the use or non-use of translation. This book recognizes that these choices (or the absence thereof) become policies of their own in terms of translation. It builds upon the work of scholars in the fields of translation studies and language planning and policy in order to develop a new theoretical perspective on translation policy. In essence, the book proposes that translation policy can be understood as the management, practice, and beliefs surrounding the use of translation. The book deals with these issues under European and international law and then explores such management, practice, and beliefs in the UK, as a case study. Ultimately, the reader can find a fuller appreciation of both the importance and complexity of translation policy.

Review :
This volume is a valuable contribution in a field that is still largely unexplored: Translation Policy. The author examines with rigour a complex issue, in which Translation Studies intersect with Law, Economy, Politics and Language Policy. The wealth of sources used and the precision in the analysis of the case studies make this a fruitful book, which without doubt will inspire scholars in various areas and hopefully also many policymakers. This a highly original and thorough exploration of the role of translation in interactions between the citizen and the state. At once informative and provocative, it combines insights from translation studies, sociolinguistics, political philosophy, and legal scholarship. It traces translation policies from the international and European to the national and local levels, responding to the ethical call for a “more just system” when dealing with translation for minorities. González Núñez addresses issues of high political and societal relevance with a wealth of detailed information on how the highest abstract ideals flounder in local realities. This is the very first book to focus on translation policy as part of language policy. From an interdisciplinary viewpoint (combining law, political science, economics and translation studies), the author analyzes the role played by translation in the integration of linguistic minorities in the UK. The result is a groundbreaking book that offers key insights for scholars and policy makers alike and that opens promising avenues for interdisciplinary collaboration between Translation Studies and Language Policy and Planning. This is a pioneering investigation into translation policy, the often overlooked branch of what James Holmes called Applied Translation Studies. With both legal and translation research expertise, González Núñez is ideally qualified to stake out the ground in this increasingly significant field. I predict that the book will become a classic reference. This is an original study of translation policy in the United Kingdom with implications that go beyond the borders of that country since it offers a fresh understanding of the intimate interplay between translation and human rights obligations. Impressively documented, its wide range from international law to local governance makes it an important reference for scholars and non-scholars alike. Claims to be the first to be devoted to translation policy. That makes it indispensable for language libraries. The book effectively addresses a significant gap in our understanding, acknowledged in the decision by the European Language Council to establish a working party on this very topic, which has begun the detailed work of cataloguing the diverse rights and policies in place across the continent. [...] Two very positive features of González Núñez’s contribution are: first, that it is likely to inspire similar research on other linguistically diverse societies, opening the way for new international comparative perspectives; and second, that it outlines critically the research approach he adopted, effectively providing a suitable toolkit for any such further studies. In communication across languages, we can either converge on one language, or we can resort to translation. González Núñez’s book is the first comprehensive study of translation policy. He argues that translation plays a beneficial role for immigrant integration, and emphasizes its justification more generally. This is a groundbreaking work and essential reading for any student of language policy and translation.