City breaks language barrier

THE Victorian Interpreter Card and a new Interpreter Symbol will be introduced to the City of Greater Dandenong’s council services this month.
The Victorian Interpreter Card and Symbol will help residents with limited English skills gain access to language assistance.
The card and symbol will also help council staff identify the need for language assistance and to book interpreters.
City mayor Youhorn Chea said the symbol and card were an excellent initiative in Greater Dandenong where the community was made up of people from more than 150 nations.
“The interpreter card and symbol will have far-reaching benefits for our community, especially for the reason that Greater Dandenong is such a diverse municipality,” he said.
“I encourage those who have limited English-speaking skills to utilise the card when they see the interpreter symbol advertised, so we can arrange appropriate language assistance and interpreters.”
The symbol will be displayed in a number of council buildings and services, as well as local hospitals, health centres, migrant resource centres and employment and housing offices.