IMPROVING MINORITIES’ ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICES IN BOTSWANA: HOW CAN PUBLIC SERVICE INTERPRETING HELP?

Abstract

Effective communication between public service providers and users is critical in accessing public services and providing services that directly and positively affect the lives of people. The most important element for effective communication between service providers and users is a common language that can facilitate access to services and enhance the quality of the services received. Lack of such a language may either lead to users’ reluctance to access services or compromise the quality of the services they receive. Yet in Botswana, language is never incorporated into measures that improve public service access and quality of communication. Accordingly, this paper argues that the English and Setswana-only language ideologies that characterise Botswana’s linguistic landscape not only deny speakers of minority languages access to public services but, also, expose them to low- or poor-quality services. The paper recommends the implementation of Public Service Interpreting to help improve the situation.