Some employees at the Belize Tax Service can now speak basic Mandarin - which is the most widely spoken Chinese language, hands the official language of both China and Taiwan.
That's after a collaboration with the Taiwanese Embassy to give these employees Mandarin classes. The Financial Secretary told us why its important for tax collectors:
Joseph Waight, Financial Secretary
"Well, you know, we're very grateful to, the embassy of, Republic of China, Taiwan, who reached out to us and they're teaching, very basic course in Mandarin, you know, the ABCs and maybe the one two threes. So it's to lift the professional standard of the ministry. It's like, and also for the tax officers who may have to go out in the field, as you know, a lot of our distributive, trades are operated by people who speak the first language is, Mandarin. So it would help, you know, basic communication. It's not the official language. So it's not to do with their the filing and all of that in, in language of Belize. But this really does help, in the communication. And this is a beginning course understanding maybe a higher level to follow. So we think it's a plus for and also learning a second or third language is a benefit. It's a personal benefit as well. You know it opens worlds for you. The change in culture, you know, and, you know, we get a lot of them. We get a lot of, American or European influence here from the English language, but they're worlds away, and I wish I could have taken the course. It's a such a benefit. So we want to thank them, and we look forward to more."
Reporter:
"So would have been the staff would have been facing difficulties, right? Dealing with the Asian community. What did they have to rely on? I mean, we're an English speaking country."
Joseph Waight, Financial Secretary
"Okay. Often if there was ever a case that required we would hire a translator. Required it. I mean, imagine there was a tax matter that went to the courts. So of course, you hire a certified translator, but this is about the most basic level. It's basically walking to the store and say, good morning in the language of the person across the counter makes a difference. So it builds trust and confidence and you know, so but it's not a substitute or a replacement of the English language."
