Bi-lingual cards ‘symbolic and respectful’

LONDONDERRY Environmental Health Officer Eamon Toner says new local authority bi-lingual business cards in Chinese and English are “an important symbolic, respectful and practical improvement by council.”

He made the comments as Derry City Council in partnership with the local Chinese support organisation Sai Pak, launched the cards for Environmental Health Officers.

The cards will help to improve understanding when Environmental Health Officers and members of the Chinese community share communication.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The launch took place with the Mayor, Councillor Kevin Campbell on June 23, 2012 as part of the local Chinese community’s celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival.

The initiative stems from the ‘Art of Communication’ research launched by Derry City Council in 2010 which investigated in depth how Environmental Health Officers and Chinese employers operating with the catering sector share communication, which was funded by OFMDFM through Council’s Good Relations Strategy.

Mr Toner, who authored the report, commented: “We have worked very hard to understand the communication needs of the Chinese community.

“The information on our bi-lingual business cards is presented in Chinese and supported by an English translation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This is an important emphasis from a Chinese cultural perspective and is very much viewed as an important symbolic, respectful and practical improvement by council.”

Carol Stewart, Community Relations Officer said: “This important collaboration between Environmental Health, Community Relations and the Chinese community continues to advance Derry City Council’s core objective of mainstreaming good relations into council services in line with our Good Relations Strategy.”

Bi-lingual business cards will be used when Environmental Health Officers have contact with members of the Chinese community during for example, Health and Safety, Food Hygiene and Smoke Free inspections of Chinese catering premises.

Related topics: