English
Category: Government, Translation
Government language can pose some challenges for translators, since small nuances can greatly influence the success of the message.
This is especially evident in the recent healthcare legislation proposals, and the different phrases government officials are using to describe a possible tax increase.
Subtle differences in government language can carry a big weight – politicians and legislators know that they make a powerful impact on the ways people respond to policy.
That’s why it’s especially important to remember these nuances in government translations as well. Here are some examples of government legislation where language really does counts:
Healthcare Taxes
“The fact is, words matter,” said US Senator Olympia Snowe, who is trying to change the government language on a new healthcare bill.
The bill states that those who do not maintain insurance, no matter their income bracket, would be subject to a $1,900 excise tax.
But rather than call it a “tax” or a “penalty,” Snowe is labeling the fund as a “personal responsibility requirement,” using government language to call on people’s morals and their need to “do the right thing.”
The meaning of the bill remains the same — a bigger tax for some — but Snowe hopes the distinctions in government language will sway voters toward the bill, and will undoubtedly be critical in translated materials as well.
Estate Taxes
The current debate over government language in healthcare recalls the controversy in the 1990s over estate taxes .
When a bill with a proposed estate tax was considered — which would make the assets transferred in a will taxable — opponents referred to it as a “death tax.”
The government language manipulation scared voters away. Sure, it’s accurate, but who wants to vote for a bill that reminds you of both death and taxes?
Sarah Palin invoked the same idea when she popularized the phrase “death panels” to describe consultations about end-of-life care for the elderly.
Although they have the same meaning, “end-of-life” and “death” conjure up two very different feelings, a distinction in government language that politicians — and translators — have to keep in mind.
Global Warming Legislation
Many advocates of global warming mention the “cost of inaction” that the US incur if steps aren’t taken to reduce carbon emissions.
While some legislators are wary of the immediate costs of programs to lower emissions levels, supporters are using government language to put a negative spin on the idea that the US can save money by hanging tight.
By labeling these present savings as future “costs” — such as future hurricane damage or rising water levels due to global warming — advocates are hoping to sway politicians toward more government spending.
These government language nuances can be tricky – even when just in English. But for translators and government interpreters, it’s just as important that the sense, as well as the literal meaning, of the phrase is conveyed.
It might even make a difference in on the Senate floor or in the voting booth!
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