The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman’s website—www.asbfeo.gov.au—is now available in more than 100 languages to better assist migrant-led small and family business owners and managers.
“One in three small businesses are run by people who were born overseas and our culture and local business communities are enriched by their presence,” says Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.
“But sometimes when help is needed and people are distressed, many find it easier when the information is provided in a preferred language.
Billson expressed hope that the new feature on the website, which can be activated with a single click, will make it easier for migrant-led business owners to access the many helpful resources, tools, and checklists available.
“Our research shows nearly one-quarter of small business owners use a language other than English at home and more than half of small business owners are second generation migrants, with a parent born overseas.
“Some 23 per cent of small business owners, who have required the assistance of one of our case managers to help with a dispute, spoke a language other than English at home. In almost two-thirds of these cases, the issue was about a payment dispute.”
The translation feature is clearly located at the top of the website with the translation software powered by Google Translate.
“Effort has been made to provide accurate translations, but no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace human translators,” Billson said.
“When we individually assist with cases, our case managers use human translators to help ensure that translations are accurate, and meaning is well understood.”
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