Carlos Ponton
Spanish translation at City Council meetings would send "a very strong message of inclusion,"
resident Carlos Ponton said Tuesday.
Ponton, a member of the Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs, spoke in public comment before the governing body voted approval of a resolution authorizing translation at council meetings. As reported by Plaintalker last week, the resolution does not spell out the method of translation. Ponton stressed the need for professionalism and said the translator should not be a member of the community. He said there are 19 translators in New Jersey who are "accustomed to this kind of work" and who could assure "unbiased and impartial" translation.
Ponton said translation of council meetings would help break down barriers faced by Plainfield's 40 percent Latino population.
Latinos in 2000 were counted as 25.2 percent of the city population and in 2010 as 40.4 percent, a 67 percent increase.
Ponton pointed out Jersey City's Office of Diversity & Inclusion as the kind of outreach needed in Plainfield. The office was formed to "empower, integrate and celebrate" the immigrant population in Jersey City, considered to be the second most diverse city in America.
Tuesday's meeting had a very large turnout of Hispanic residents in support of the Plainfield Bilingual Daycare Center, a city-run agency which is facing a transition to outside control. For those who did not speak English, Ponton repeated his remarks in Spanish, drawing applause.
The resolution authorizing translation set no timetable for implementation nor did it address possible costs. Tuesday's meeting included passage of the 2015 budget, so translation services may have to be funded in the 2016 budget or through budget transfers later this year.
--Bernice
Learning to speak English would send a very strong message that they want to be included, its a two way road
ReplyDeleteI am not understanding why this cannot be filled by a member of the community or even someone from PACHA. Obviously, an organization who is concerned with baised translation would provide an indiviudual who is unbiased in order to maintain their image.
ReplyDeleteThere may be a large population of latinos in Plainfield (40%) but what percentage of that population are adults who do not speak English? It certainly isnt 40%. That 40% number also includes children under the age of 18 (probably 1/3).
So it is important to determine what percentage of the population this really benefits from this in relation to the cost that is required to hire professionals and any required technology.
I agree with 11:10 AM - One of the best ways to break down the barriers would be to learn English. There are many opportunities and programs to assist with that in NJ and right in Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteOne has to make some effort if inclusion is desired. I would expect the same if I emigrated to another country.
Perhaps a solution to this "language" problem is to have a Spanish version of the meeting on television. That might be less costly. I hope this gets included this year's budget. You can't blame anyone for not seeing this coming. I will have a cost and I wish more Spanish speaking residents of this country, let alone Plainfield, would learn English. I don't think most Americans see Spanish as a language should have to learn. The live and speak in an English speaking country.
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to give some Council members English lessons!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe these comments in 2015!
ReplyDeleteAs a property owner who pays taxes I would not be in favor of spending money for hiring a translator. The Spanish speaking community only shows up at the meetings when there is a specific issue of concern to their community. How does this demonstrate a desire to be included?
ReplyDeleteThe Board of Education has the equipment. We used it during our meetings. Why not start there as a means if how it was used and the cost. I don't see a reason to hire a professional, we used staff.
ReplyDelete