In the 1996 Census in Australia, Chinese languages (they counted Cantonese and Mandarin) were spoken by 1.9% of the population; by the 2001 Census this had risen to at least 2.1% of the population - more than Italian (1.9%) and Greek (1.4%) - the previous leaders. It is likely that the number is somewhat higher than this as respondents who simply recorded 'Chinese' or other dialects got lumped into a category 'other' and were not counted as Chinese speakers.
The classification 'Settler Arrivals' has also seen significant changes. In 2000, China (mainland) came in third after New Zealand and the United Kingdom with 8.3% of settler arrivals. This is the first time China has appeared in the top 6; Hong Kong featured in 1990 with 4.5% of arrivals.
In the ABS International Migration Summary available on their web site (www.abs.gov.au), the Bureau concludes, that long-term visitor arrivals from Asia are ten times higher than they were in 1980. In 1999/2000 53% of all long-term visitor arrivals were Asian. The main reason, the Bureau concludes in the increasing number of students travelling to Australia, is for further education, for example three-quarters of all Asia-born long term arrivals in 1999/2000 were for education.
If one combines the number of people who state Hong Kong and China as their countries of birth, they sit fourth after UK/Ireland, New Zealand, Italy, and ahead of Former Yugoslav Republics and Vietnam.
'Chinese' is a major community language in Australia. Any work being translated in Australia for local use must include it, for example all levels of government, Vicroads driver tests, Tax Office materials, health information, education, special events, and so on. Not translating such information into Chinese means a considerable sector of the population may be alienated. Chin Communications undertakes a substantial amount of community information translation in addition to export-oriented work - this is a highly skilled discipline as readers come from a variety of backgrounds and countries-of-origin and often special terms need to be created, or issues discussed prior to the translation process; also the audience needs to be considered in order to determine which version of Chinese to use and to select translation styles and terms preferred by the particular audience.
For more background:
Translation and how to achieve a quality result: Translation;
Chinese Language: Chinese Language Please Explain;
Interpreting and translating and what it takes to make a professional; also how to work with an interpreter and/or translator: Interpreters and Translators Love Language;
Why it pays to use professional interpreters: Understanding Interpreting.
The Chinese Naming System and How to Translate a Business Card: Name Games.
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