The primary role of the Language Services Department (LSD) in government service delivery is to ensure that all information and official documents provided to the public are available in the three (3) national languages: Bislama, English, and French.
Since its establishment, the LSD has primarily focused on translation, which has become its core function. Over the years, the Department has also compiled a significant terminology database and offered limited interpretation and language awareness services. However, these additional services have seen a substantial decline in recent years.
To better serve the nation's language needs, the Department revised its organizational structure, approved in 2018. This restructuring aims to enhance existing services such as translation, interpretation, and language awareness and to introduce new offerings, including document revision, an electronic terminology bank, and coordination with the Language Council.
FUNCTIONS OF THE LSD
The Department's responsibilities are organized into six (6) key areas:
- Translation;
- Interpretation;
- Revision;
- Terminology;
- Awareness and promotion of official and vernacular languages;
- Language Council coordination.