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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ears, one in one language and the other, the same text, in another language. I am informed that in this way the interpreters begin to think in the two languages automatically and simultaneously. I do think that we must rely upon co-operation from the Government in the way of paying adequate salaries to our interpreters so that we do get the right type of interpreters, besides, of course, individual members helping the interpreters if possible by giving them a typed-written copy of their speech beforehand. Then in fact the only difficulty would be the supplementary questions and answers, and the odd speech spoken so to speak off the cuff.

Mr. Chairman, it is essential that the people of Hong Kong look upon this Council as their Council, look upon both the elected and nominated councillors, and indeed even the official councillors as their own councillors. That cannot be so whilst we hold our meetings solely in a language that so many people do not understand. The essence of a cosmopolitan community is that it has overcome the language barrier, and this overcoming on this Council, in my submission, can only be done by simultaneous translation. We have talked too long about simultaneous translation and about the difficulties that simultaneous translation will involve. Let us now definitely fix the date when simultaneous translation will be introduced.

Mr. Chairman, I second this Motion.

CHAIRMAN:-The Motion has been moved and seconded, does any member wish to speak?

DR. P. F. Woo:-Mr. Chairman, I appreciate Mr. Hu's good intention and I have no argument against the importance of having simultaneous translation introduced in the Urban Council. However, I am afraid Mr. Hu has little understanding of the practical difficulties involved in the installation of this system. I have no doubt Mr. Hu, like myself, has attended many meetings with this so-called simultaneous translation system, but whether it is properly conducted is another matter.

I had the opportunity as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Simultaneous Translation to study the essentials of installing this system in this chamber. Apart from the cost, Mr. Chairman, there must be a separate compartment for the interpreters. Would Mr. Hu suggest a portion of this small chamber for the installation of this compartment. Then there is the necessary training of high calibre interpreters involved. It is humanly impossible for any one interpreter to conduct a two to three hour session like our council meetings non-stop. At a meeting like ours, there must be a panel of interpreters, not only one or two, to take turns at short intervals.

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In my opinion, Mr. Chairman, it could be extremely difficult to introduce an efficient simultaneous translation system within the time limit proposed in the motion. I understand that the Sub-Committee on Organization is still looking into this matter, and I would suggest that we await their views before trying ourselves down to a given time. In the circumstances, I am unable to support the motion as it stands.

MR. P. K. NG:-Mr. Chairman, no one, in Hong Kong, in his right mind, would doubt the motive, the sentiment and the sincerity of Mr. Hu's motion concerning simultaneous translation in English and Chinese. We are all agreed that, in Hong Kong, simultaneous translation should be implemented as soon as practicable. However, Mr. Hu, in his motion has failed to indicate that the translation should be in English and Cantonese, because the Council has agreed that it must be Cantonese which will be the second language, as it is the major language in Hong Kong. As Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Organization of the Local Administration Select Committee, I can assure everyone that this Committee has gone into much detail in our consideration of simultaneous translation, including the possibility of a running commentary of our public meeting, through Radio Hong Kong, for the benefit of our Cantonese speaking population. This would appear to fulfil the sentiment prompting Mr. Hu's motion. You will appreciate that Mr. Hu's motion is putting the cart before the horse, as he mentioned earlier this afternoon. I foresee that, during 1970, all Members of this Council will still be English speaking and, unless the Ordinance is changed first to permit Cantonese speaking Council Members, the adoption of Mr. Hu's motion at this time would be pointless and a waste of the taxpayer's money. I therefore, Mr. Chairman, move that the motion before this Council be referred back to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council in accordance with Standing Order 10, Section (17), Subsection (j).

MR. LI YIU-BOR:--Mr. Chairman, I rise to second the motion moved by Mr. P. K. NG. Like Dr. P. F. Woo and Mr. P. K. NG, I have great sympathy for the motion moved by Mr. Hu and seconded by Mr. BERNACCHI. I would like to point out, however, that the question of simultaneous translation is still being discussed in the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, and any motion at the present juncture would prejudice our discussion later on. For this reason, I have pleasure to second the motion moved by Mr. P. K. NG.

CHAIRMAN:-The question now is that the motion before Council, be referred back to the Standing Committee.

MR. HU:-Mr. Chairman, am I entitled to speak now. Do I have the last word?

CHAIRMAN:-Later on perhaps, Mr. Hu.

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