The need for interpretation services has grown rapidly in many parts of Finland. For instance the Joutseno reception centre for asylum seekers in Lappeenranta, south-east Finland, has used interpreters about 650 times since the beginning of September. That is about twice as often as during the same period of last year. Interpretation services are now in such heavy demand that officials cannot always arrange them when needed.
Most interpretation is done by phone, which makes access easier away from major urban centres.
Language services firms such as Semantix, which provides interpretation for state agencies, says it is constantly trying to recruit people who can translate from Arabic and the Kurdish language Sorani.
Exploding need
"Clearly the need for interpreters has exploded throughout the country, since there are now about 70 reception centres, whereas in May there were only about 20," says Marja Lähde, head of interpretation services at the Finnish subsidiary of the Swedish-based Semantix.
"It’s becoming quite a challenge to find skilled interpreters," she says. "Besides the language, an interpreter must also be familiar with the society and culture in an asylum seeker’s home country."
Besides reception centres, such services are also in heavy demand among other official bodies, including the police and the Immigration Service.
