Ukrainian refugee faces family crisis in Denmark over translation issues

A phone is inserted through the mail slot of the front door. From the Google Translate app, a Russian translation is provided for what a family counselor and a representative from the social emergency service are telling Olena, a Ukrainian refugee. They express concerns for her children, warning that if she does not cooperate, the municipality could recommend placing her kids in care. Olena, while speaking some Russian, struggles to understand the translation, describing the situation as very confusing.

That same evening, all of her children are forcibly removed from her custody. Overwhelmed by emotion, she describes feeling breathless, unable to think, as her world crumbles.

According to municipal records, the use of Google Translate in cases like Olena’s has faced criticism from experts. The municipality has stated it aims to provide professional interpreters, acknowledging that when that is not feasible, digital translation tools may need to be employed.

Olena fled from war-torn eastern Ukraine in March 2022, fearing for her children’s lives while her husband remained to fight at the front. Settling into a routine in Denmark, her life took a turn when her husband suffered severe injuries, leading her to experience psychological distress.

After a volunteer alerted the authorities about her situation, the municipality initiated family treatment meant to support her at home and evaluate her parenting abilities. During the required sessions, communication difficulties arose as most interactions relied on translations from the app, leading to numerous misunderstandings and added stress for Olena.

Experts have raised concerns about the legality and efficacy of using technology like Google Translate for sensitive cases, stating that it can hinder proper communication and potentially violate a parent’s rights. As Olena hopes to reunite with her children, the strain of the experience remains evident, highlighting the challenges faced by non-native speakers in navigating bureaucratic systems.