© UNHCR/Chrysoula Alexopoulou
“Where can I get milk for my baby?”
“What are my rights as a refugee?”
“I need your help please”
These are some common questions that refugees and asylum-seekers need to express but the language barrier often prevents them from communicating even their most basic needs.
Many more words, terms and phrases, essential for basic communication, are included in the third, updated and newly published edition of the “Mini Lexicon for Basic Communication”, a product of collaboration among UNHCR, METAdrasi, the Society for the Development and Creative Occupation of Children (EADAP) and the Swiss Embassy.
The Mini Lexicon, which was originally developed in 2016 to assist refugees and migrants in Greece, is now available in eight languages (Arabic, Farsi, French, Kurmanji, Sorani, Turkish, Urdu and Ukrainian) and includes more chapters and vocabulary, with phonetic transcriptions, regarding public services, education, hospitality and local culture. It also includes special chapters for women and unaccompanied children.
“From dealing with day-to-day matters in the neighbourhood, shopping or visiting a doctor, to receiving information about rights, understanding and communicating in the local language is essential for refugees’ autonomy and integration. This also fosters acceptance and peaceful co-existence with the host community”, noted UNHCR Representative in Greece, Maria Clara Martin. “We hope that this booklet will be a valuable and easy-to-use tool for effective two-way communication”, she added.
On her part, METAdrasi’s President, Lora Pappa noted: “Refugees are people who make a tremendous effort to re-construct their lives. Communication is often the biggest challenge to face in a host society. We are pleased to see that the Mini Lexicon has helped to empower people of different age and nationality groups to integrate and feel part of the host society. We welcome the third edition and hope it inspires more such initiatives”.
The “Mini Lexicon” is available online and distributed as a print pocket dictionary. In collaboration with the authorities and partners, UNHCR is distributing copies to asylum seekers and refugees across the country.
© UNHCR/Christina Stefania Tsantioti
What people have said about Mini Lexicon
“I find it a very useful tool at the local market, during the Greek courses and to facilitate communication with neighbours”, G.F., asylum-seeker from Iraq.
“Sometimes, I take it with me when I want to buy fruit and vegetables, so that I can communicate with the greengrocer. Using the Mini Lexicon makes it easier to communicate with the local people”, A. M., asylum seeker.
“Communication brings us closer and this is valuable for all! We’d like to thank UNHCR for this lexicon, which will be a very useful tool for our work”, M. D., social worker in Chios hospital.
Note: Requests for copies can be addressed to [email protected], with the subject ‘Mini Lexicon – request for copies’, explaining the intended use or target group for distribution, and mentioning the number of copies needed in each language.
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