Brussels is a melting pot of cultures and languages, with only 41% of its residents being Belgian by birth. More than a third come from countries outside the European Union. This diversity poses unique challenges, especially within the legal system where linguistic barriers can complicate matters.
A visit to a local courtroom illustrates the issue. Interpreters are a common sight, patiently waiting to be called upon. They assist defendants or plaintiffs who lack proficiency in French, the official language of the court. Sometimes, two interpreters are required for less commonly spoken languages, such as Sorani—spoken by Kurds from Iraq and Iran—or specific Indian dialects.
La Libre Belgique highlights the case of Michale, an Eritrean man accused of assault. In court, he insisted on communicating only in Tigrigna, one of Eritrea’s official languages, despite seemingly understanding English. The judge agreed to Michale's request, despite some initial scepticism.
She pointedly asked why, after living in Belgium for eight years, he spoke "a little Dutch" but not French. Michale replied, through an interpreter, that he had been told he'd be provided a Tigrinya interpreter during the trial.
Interestingly, the victim of the alleged assault was also present in the court but seemed uncomfortable with English. When the judge asked him to verify his identity and inquired if he was willing to provide a statement to the police, he appeared hesitant. But after learning that a Tigrinya interpreter would be available, he agreed to cooperate.
The judge also noted a discrepancy in Michale’s case. During his police questioning, Michale had spoken in French. When questioned about this, Michale claimed he didn't remember his police interview due to intoxication and asserted he'd believed he'd spoken Dutch at the time. Moreover, he suggested that he knew many friends who could translate Tigrinya for him if needed.
The trial was subsequently scheduled for 1 September, with assurances that a Tigrinya interpreter would be present. The judge took care to inform both parties of the importance of their attendance, especially given the severity of the charges against Michale.
The case exemplifies the judicial challenges in a city as diverse as Brussels. Language barriers are not simply a question of communication but can have serious implications on the efficacy and fairness of the legal process.
Related News
- Court finds integration programme's Dutch language test discriminatory
- Most Ukrainian refugees remain outside Belgian labour market
Language barriers cause issues in almost every linguistic region of Belgium. The country is undeniably multilingual, but official languages of communication offer little wiggle room for those who are not well versed in French and Dutch, especially in the labour market.
According to a 2022 Labour Force Survey, insufficient knowledge of an official language in Belgium is the biggest obstacle to lasting employment. In Flanders, 33% of people stated that they had little or no knowledge of a national language. This clearly poses significant problems for labour mobility and social integration.
