Language Line Services see demand soar for interpreter services @latimes.com May 5, 2012
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in Immigration Activity, Interpretation, Interpreters, Job / Career Opportunities, Langage Line Services, Language Access, Language Capital of the World, Language Compliance, Louis F. Provenzano.comments closed
To access our press coverage in the LA Times, click on the link below.
Language interpreter services see demand soar – latimes.com.
Arabic, Vietnamese Top Foreign Languages in U.S. After Spanish, Shows Report by Language Line Services March 8, 2012
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in Immigration Activity, Interpretation, Interpreters, Langage Line Services, Language Access, Language Line Services Interpreter Demand Index.Tags: Language Demographics, language line services, Language Line Services Interpreter Demand Index
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press release
March 7, 2012, 8:35 a.m. EST
Arabic, Vietnamese Top Foreign Languages in U.S. After Spanish, Shows Report by Language Line Services
LanguageTrak® index analyzes millions of over-the-phone interpretation requests nationwide over past year
MONTEREY, Calif., March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — A report from Language Line Services, the global leader in language access solutions, reveals that between Q4 2010 and Q4 2011, Arabic and Vietnamese trailed only Spanish as the most-requested languages for over-the-phone interpretations nationwide.
The quarterly Language Line® LanguageTrak “Interpreter Demand Index(SM)” uses proprietary data from millions of interpretation-request calls the company fields annually in 170-plus languages. It reports interpreter calls for the government and healthcare sectors across 20 major U.S. cities. The report ranks the top-10 most requested languages in each city, and shows percentage growth for each language.
“Communities across the country are experiencing historic demographic and cultural shifts, including a growing influx of limited-English speakers,” said Louis F. Provenzano, Jr., president & CEO of Language Line Services. “Local government leaders, court systems, healthcare agencies, emergency services and businesses must be ready to meet the language needs of these residents in order to effectively serve them. And, it’s not just about offering services in Spanish anymore. Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Burmese round out the top-five most requested languages by our clients.”
Arabic ranked among the top three languages in nine of the 20 cities; Vietnamese, eight cities; Mandarin, seven; and Burmese, five cities.
The LanguageTrak® report also revealed languages that saw the most percentage growth in interpretation requests – Arabic, Korean and Mandarin. Interpretation requests for Arabic increased in 14 cities, more than any other language. The highest increases were in El Paso (236 percent increase), Memphis (95 percent), Columbus (38 percent) and Charlotte (38 percent).
Interpretation requests for Korean grew in 13 of the 20 cities. The highest increases were in Memphis (100 percent increase), San Diego (32 percent), Jacksonville (32 percent) and Austin (24 percent). Mandarin saw interpretation request increases in 12 of the 20 cities, with the highest jumps in Jacksonville (113 percent increase), El Paso (89 percent) and Detroit (51 percent).
In addition, Provenzano noted other key findings in the report:
San Diego reported triple-digit increases in requests for both Karen (305 percent increase), which is spoken by 1.3 million in Myanmar, formerly Burma, and Cantonese (132 percent).
Charlotte saw a significant increase in interpretation requests for Urdu (68 percent increase).
Interpretation requests in Japanese grew notably across several cities – Columbus (76 percent increase), San Jose (58 percent) and Philadelphia (50 percent).
Somali was the second-most requested language (trailing Spanish) in Columbus and Memphis.
Nepali interpretation requests increased in seven of the 20 cities, with the largest jumps in El Paso, Memphis, San Antonio and Philadelphia.
About Language Line Services
Language Line Services, the global leader in language solutions for over 30 years, serves clients in government, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, retail and many other industries in more than 170 spoken and written languages, as well as American Sign Language (ASL) and Mexican Sign Language (LSM). Language Line Services is recognized as a trusted partner to thousands of public and private organizations throughout the world, providing easy access to the industry’s most dynamic and comprehensive suite of language solutions that drive a strong return on investment. Language Line Services is known for solving customers’ complex language communication issues with leading services that include telephone, on-site and video interpreting, translation and localization, as well as interpreter assessment and training programs. Please call (800) 752-6096 or visit www.languageline.com .
Contact:
Carla ColladoOlmstead Williams Communications310.824.9000ccollado@olmsteadwilliams.com www.olmsteadwilliams.com
This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com .
SOURCE Language Line Services
Success on Capitol Hill @languageline January 19, 2012
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in *4, California Sentators, Congressman Sam Farr, Immigration Activity, Interpretation, Interpreters, Job / Career Opportunities, Langage Line Services, Language Access, Language Capital of the World, Language Compliance, Language Legislation, Language Line University, Leon Panetta, Louis F. Provenzano, Monterey, California 93940, The Defense Language Institute (DLI), The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).Tags: AT&T, Congressman Farr, language line services, Monterey Language Capital of the World
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Pictures from our launch on Capitol Hill. History is made. Congratulations team!
Language Line Services Issues 2012 Outlook, Predicts Shift to Mobile Language Access in New Year December 8, 2011
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in *4, AT&T, Immigration Activity, Interpretation, Interpreters, Langage Line Services, Language Access, Language Capital of the World, Language Compliance, Language Legislation, Louis F. Provenzano, Monterey, California 93940.Tags: Language Access, language line services
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MONTEREY, Calif., Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — With more than 20 million over-the-phone interpretation calls served in 2011, Language Line Services, the global leader in interpretation and translation services, today issued a “2012 Outlook on Language Access” for services that will be required by healthcare, emergency response (9-1-1), government, banking and other business customers.
The report points to the fact that the over-the-phone industry is on the cusp of offering “quick-connect,” live interpretations on cell phones, for the first time and in 170-plus languages.
“More than 30 years ago, Language Line Services created a technology that picks up the incoming calls and within moments connects the caller to a qualified, trained interpreter for the language requested. This year we’re taking that service to mobile phones for the first time, launching technology that reduces connection times for the most popular languages and also streamlining our support for the government and healthcare sectors with new online service portals,” said Louis F. Provenzano, Jr., president & CEO of Language Line Services.
“As the No. 1 language access provider for healthcare, government, emergency responders and beyond, including FEMA during Hurricane Irene, we are always on the frontlines of situations where proper communication saves lives. We’re constantly improving our processes and services and are excited about the industry-leading enhancements we’re rolling out in 2012.”
First-Ever Mobile Live Interpretation Services
Mobile interpretation services with one-touch dialing will be in the hands of emergency responders for the first time in 2012 and ultimately all Americans to better serve the growing population of limited English proficient people. The service is slated to be available to government agencies, healthcare providers and businesses by the middle of the year.
“Until now, the industry has been tethered to landlines,” Provenzano said. “This new quick-connect mobile service will cut that cord for live interpretation support in first-responder emergencies, law enforcement officers within ethnic communities, healthcare providers in hospitals and homes, businesses of all sizes, and virtually any organization with field personnel.”
New Web Portals for Government & Healthcare Services
Two new online service portals for Language Line Services government and healthcare customers will provide streamlined, industry-specific language access in one central location to phone interpretation service, document translation, localization (“translating” web sites and marketing materials to highlight a company or product), cultural sensitivity training, language proficiency testing and demographic data analysis services.
The Healthcare Portal, available at (http://healthcare.languageline.com), and the Government Portal slated to be launched in early 2012, will seamlessly increase efficiency and productivity by providing service access from any location, at any time, and through virtually any device. Healthcare users now (and Government users soon) can submit requests for reports, metrics, compliance information and more from any business system.
“For government employees, this will mean no longer having to manage a large database of contact names, phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses,” Provenzano said. “Instead, by simply logging into the Web, government users will have access to every type of language service. Managers and directors will be able to centrally oversee the use of the full range of language services throughout their departments or organizations at national, regional, local, or individual levels. The Government Portal will allow users to submit multiple language projects in as many as 170 languages for a single project.”
Cutting Interpreter Connect Times with QuickConnect™
Language Line Services customer calls already connect with Spanish interpreters on an average of just 12.8 seconds. Spanish is the company’s most requested language.
Language Line Services will soon release QuickConnect™, a new technology platform that will enable clients to access the most requested languages even faster.
“This new service capability will dramatically reduce our customers’ overall call handle time and improve customer service levels,” said Provenzano. “QuickConnect™ is a patented system that enables instant access to our high demand languages. By leveraging our communications technology to make every work-at-home interpreter more productive, we are now able to provide better, faster service and improve our customer’s experience in the process.”
The company continues to actively recruit in the growing refuge/emerging languages and now nearly 20 percent of its interpreter workforce has various security background clearances for the Federal Government.
Language Line Services will hire over 1,500 interpreters in 2012 with the majority of the interpreters being U.S. domestic-based and with Federal Government SF-85P clearance.
“Language access in the United States has never been more important than it is today, as the country’s growing ethnic minorities are projected to become the majority by 2050, according to the Pew Research Center. The U.S. population will swell to 438 million over the next 40 years with immigrants driving 82 percent of the increase,” Provenzano said.
“Millions of limited English speakers will need critical services that can only be available with appropriate language support in an increasingly mobile world.”
About Language Line Services
Language Line Services, the global leader in telephone interpreting and language solutions, serves clients in government, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, utilities, insurance and many other industries by quickly connecting them to their customers, patients and sales prospects in more than 170 spoken languages as well as American Sign Language (ASL) and Mexican Sign Language (LSM). Language Line Services is recognized as a trusted partner to thousands of public and private organizations throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, providing easy access to the industry’s fastest language interpreting service at highly competitive rates. For more information about Language Line Services’ suite of telephone, on-site and video interpreting, document translation, interpreter assessment and training programs, please call (800) 752-6096 or visit http://www.languageline.com
Contact:
Trent Freeman Olmstead Williams Communications 310.824.9000 tfreeman@olmsteadwilliams.com http://www.olmsteadwilliams.com
This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.
SOURCE Language Line Services
Common 12 languages spoken in 12 metropolises, Mandarin ranks top #usatoday October 4, 2011
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in Immigration Activity, Interpretation, Langage Line Services, Language Access.Tags: City of San Francisco, language line services, Language Statistics, Language Trak
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Common 12 languages spoken in 12 metropolises, Mandarin ranks top
Language Line Services’ Sept 13, 2011 press release,
“Language Line Services’ Interpreter Demand Index® Shows Rapid Growth in Arabic, Vietnamese Across Country, LanguageTrak® Report Reveals Demographic Shifts Years in Advance of Next U.S. Census” <http://www.languageline.com/page/news/247/> was picked up by San Francisco World Journal, the most influential Chinese-language newspaper in North America. The World Journal has recognized the rapid growth and changing demographic profile of Chinese immigrants and responded to their changing needs through continuous advancements in content, technology and service.
Link to World Journal Chinese-language article here: http://bit.ly/pLHu5w
Translation from Chinese to English below:
Common 12 languages spoken in 12 metropolises, Mandarin ranks top 5
A global company, Language Line Services, recently issued a report about the language translation/interpretation needs in 20 U.S. cities. The report indicates that, excluding English, Spanish remains the most popular in the United States. However, the most visible growth of demand in major 20 U.S. metropolitan areas between the second quarter of 2010 and the second quarter this year was for Arabic and Vietnamese. In New York City, Chinese is still the second largest (foreign) language, after Spanish. In San Antonio, Texas, Mandarin and Cantonese grew by 96.97% and 423% respectively.
If 20 cities are examined as a whole, Mandarin interpretation demand is among the top 5 languages in 12 cities—NY, LA, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, San Jose, Indianapolis, S.F., Baltimore, Charlotte. The fastest growing demand is in San Antonio, followed by Houston, where Mandarin is the third language, growing by 55.41%; and Cantonese is the fourth language, growing by 47.22%. Another city in which Mandarin is growing at a relatively fast pace is Indianapolis, with Mandarin being the 3rd language in demand, growing at 43.71% rate, while Cantonese is growing at 34.58%.
This report is consistent with a 2011 report by Spanish Language Research Center and the 2010 census results. The order of the 20 cities according to their translation/interpretation market demand is: NY, LA, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, S.F., Columbus, Austin, Memphis, Baltimore, Fort Worth, Charlotte.
How to reach Multicultural with in-language services December 16, 2010
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in Immigration Activity, Langage Line Services, Language Access.Tags: Interpreters, jobs, Langage Line Services, Language Access Regulations, Multicultural marketing, New York Times
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I am so delighted to share this white paper. I personally believe that companies that are trying to increase their revenue top line should take consideration of this piece. This is a compelling way to drive top line revenue. To get a copy of the research see below.
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New report from AT&T and Language Line Services shows 27.6 million have trouble with English, are underserved and offer great sales potential
MONTEREY, Calif., Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Businesses in telecommunications, financial services, utilities and insurance that offer customer service in the native language of the consumer will be the biggest winners as the stalled economy begins to move in 2011, according to a new joint report from AT&T* and Language Line Services, the leading provider of language-based solutions.
The report, which cites the example of Hewlett Packard with a reported 85 percent sales increase from a targeted multicultural campaign**, points to the significant buying power of the nation’s limited English speaking population. U.S. Hispanic purchasing power will reach $1.3 trillion by the year 2014, the report forecasts (Selig Center for Economic Growth, University of Georgia). The combined buying power of the Hispanic, Black, Asian and Native American communities is already more than $1.5 trillion. One in every six Americans (46.9 million) in the country is Hispanic.
“Organizations have a competitive opportunity to reach the 9 percent of the U.S. population that has trouble with the English language (U.S. Census 2000). That’s more than 27.6 million people who could be potential customers. Yet, 40 percent of companies say they don’t understand the financial value of multicultural groups to their bottom lines,” said Louis Provenzano, President and COO of Language Line Services.
“This isn’t business as usual. It’s a buyer’s market, and many buyers speak one of 170 different languages and dialects in the U.S. By providing integrated in-language services throughout the sales, fulfillment and customer service process, organizations help attract and retain customers and enjoy a significant competitive advantage. Multiple studies verify that goods or services have greater probability of selling and fostering loyalty if they are promoted and supported in the customer’s language,” Provenzano said.
The number of immigrants more comfortable speaking their native language when buying has grown by 25 million U.S. residents in the past 35 years, and every 19 seconds, another immigrant enters the country with limited ability to speak English, according to the report.
According to the report, these numbers simply cannot be ignored. And yet many businesses are doing just that. This multicultural population that presents such great buying potential is the same population that is so vastly underserved.
Other findings from the AT&T/Language Line Services report on language include:
- The U.S. immigrant population is expected to double from 25 million to 50 million between 2000 and 2050. At this rate today’s minority population will become the majority by 2050.
- 60 percent of Asian Americans — which includes Chinese, Indian, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Japanese Americans — now earn an annual income of $60,000 or higher, and 44 percent over the age of 25 have college degrees. The projected 2014 buying power of Asian Americans is $697 billion.
- Asian buying power also has the second-fastest projected rate of growth, slightly behind that of Hispanic purchasing clout.
- Hispanics became the largest ethnic group in the U.S. six years earlier than initially projected. In 2009 the total Hispanic spending power reached $978 billion.
- Multicultural marketing now enables organizations to reach the 23 percent of Hispanic households and 30 percent of Asian households across the nation that were previously considered “linguistically isolated.”
To view the full AT&T/Language Line Joint Report, visit http://www.languageline.com/wpmulticultural
* AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
** 2009 ANA Multicultural Marketing & Diversity Conference presentation
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high-speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.
About Language Line Services
Language Line Services, the global leader in telephone interpreting and language solutions, serves clients in government, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, utilities, insurance and many other industries by quickly connecting them to their customers, patients and sales prospects in more than 170 spoken languages as well as American Sign Language (ASL) and Mexican Sign Language (LSM). Growth of the language interpreting industry has soared with increased immigration and government regulatory policies mandating that organizations provide services to limited English speakers in their own languages. Language Line Services is recognized as a trusted partner to thousands of public and private organizations throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, providing easy access to the industry’s fastest language interpreting service at highly competitive rates. For more information about Language Line Services’ suite of telephone, on-site and video interpreting, document translation, interpreter assessment and training programs, please call (800) 752-6096 or visit http://www.languageline.com.
| Contact: | |
| Trent Freeman | |
| Olmstead Williams Communications | |
| 310.824.9000 | |
| tfreeman@olmsteadwilliams.com | |
| http://www.olmsteadwilliams.com | |
This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.
SOURCE Language Line Services
RELATED LINKS
http://www.languageline.com
The Road to Certification for Medical Interpreters (CMI) November 16, 2010
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in IMIA, Immigration Activity, Interpreters, Job / Career Opportunities, Language Line University, Medical Certification, National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters, National Medical Certification, Patient Safety.Tags: Medical Certification, medical interpreters, National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters
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A must see documentary on The Road to Certification for Medical Interpreters. History made in the United States.
For full video click here —–> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zvlQNVof7U
“Why ‘English Only’ Will Get the OK in Oklahoma” May 20, 2010
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in Immigration Activity, Language Access.Tags: English only laws, Limited English Proficient, limited english speakers, Newsweek
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Newsweek published an article on Oklahoma’s “English Only” proposed legislation. Here is my editorial reply to the article.
Article: “Why ‘English Only’ Will Get the OK in Oklahoma”
As Tony Dokoupil correctly points out, “English Only” laws like the one poised to pass in Oklahoma are directly linked to rising anti-immigration “border anxiety.” So, it’s important to keep in mind that the move to make English the official language of any particular state, county or city has nothing to do with promoting English and everything to do with punishing those who do not speak it. In other words, these laws don’t encourage limited English speakers to learn the language any faster or better; they simply discourage them from using the government services they need and deserve. Since the vast majority of those with limited English skills are here in the U.S. legally, and many are actually U.S. citizens, what we are really doing by passing these laws is codifying discrimination based on language.
With more than 47 million people in the U.S. speaking a language other than English at home (according to census data), and with more than 176 different languages spoken across the country, what is the result when people are required to speak English with government agencies, but cannot? Here’s just a glimpse: accident and crime victims who can’t speak with 911 operators and first responders, putting both English and non-English speaking residents at risk. Patients who can’t speak with health care providers, leading to misdiagnosis or a lack of treatment altogether – driving up health care expenses for everyone. The fact is, making communication harder between different cultures and communities will only make life more difficult for all of us in the end.
Louis Provenzano
Monterey, California
(The writer is the president and COO of Language Line Services, a national provider of interpretation services.)
Non-English Speakers Struggle To Get Up To Speed As States Try To Keep Them Off Roads April 19, 2010
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in Immigration Activity, Language Access.Tags: California Language Assistance, Department Motor Vehicles, English only laws
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My article appears in Huffington Post:
Nine states currently offer an English-only written driver’s license test and at least three others – Georgia, Missouri and Tennessee – are actively pursuing legislation to join that list. Those in favor of such laws say not speaking English is a safety issue on the roads. Their counterparts say it is merely prejudice to exclude limited English proficient (LEP) drivers and puts the states that enact these bills at an enormous competitive disadvantage economically.
Foreign companies routinely make investments in the United States that increase the local tax base, help drive the economy forward and create jobs. “Three of our last large billion dollar investments (in Tennessee) are all foreign-owned companies,” Lori Odom, director of International Development with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development told the Kingsport Times-News in Kingsport, Tenn. Foreign investment increases the amount of capital for equipment, buildings, land, patents, copyrights, trademarks and if properly executed even creates goodwill, too. In California alone, foreign companies employed 605,600 workers in 2007, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
To ignore the economic impact of foreign investors is to be naive. The current recession has taught us many lessons, perhaps none more important than the connection we share in a much larger, more fragile world economy.
I’ve written before about how history shows a strong tradition in this country of eventually assimilating each wave of immigrants into our society. We continue to be a country of nearly 200 languages and cultures. More than 24 million of us, all U.S. residents, speak a language other than English at home, or still have trouble communicating clearly. These are not illegals. They are legal immigrants who make their homes here, and until now, have been playing by all of the rules.
We must have patience as these immigrants work to learn English. For employment and income reasons alone, most want to learn the language; it just takes time. Research indicates an average LEP student requires six months to two years to acquire social language and three to five years to advance to an academic understanding. Meanwhile, full English classes nationwide with waitlists of one to three years mean an even longer delay to drive as they struggle to support their families and rely on what is often a poor public transportation system.
Currently, a Georgia driver’s license test can be administered in one of 13 different languages. Missouri offers 11 including Spanish, Chinese, Greek and Bosnian. Tennessee exams are in English, Spanish, Korean and Japanese. New York, Kentucky and Massachusetts are among six states that offer the test in 17 or more languages. California leads the nation with 32.
If anything, we need more languages being offered – not less.
Aparna Bhattacharyya, executive director of Raksha, a nonprofit support organization for South Asians, called the Georgia bill “hate filled.” “We have such poor transportation here that anybody needs a car to survive. This bill prevents immigrants from being able to prosper and support themselves,” Bhattacharyya told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Despite being state-led government agencies, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) throughout the country receive funding from various federal organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration, even the Department of Homeland Security which awarded $3.2 million to California’s Department of Motor Vehicles under the REAL ID Demonstration Grant Program in 2008. The fact that DMVs receive these funds should make them even more accountable for driver’s license exams that are accessible to LEPs. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on national origin, and Executive Order 13166 issued in 2000 requires that federal agencies work to ensure recipients of financial assistance provide meaningful access to their LEP applicants and beneficiaries.
The truth is there are no studies that suggest English proficiency makes better drivers. Road signs are already international which is why Americans can travel to foreign countries and rent a car without speaking the language. We owe our neighbors of the world and partners in economic prosperity the same courtesy as they struggle to get up to speed
Language Interpretation Services in Health Care Industry Reach Tipping Point in 2010 December 27, 2009
Posted by Louis F. Provenzano, Jr. in Immigration Activity, Language Access.Tags: Healthcare Reform, Language Access
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My article submitted and pubished on www.huffingtonpost.com
More than 24 million U.S. residents speak a language other than English or have trouble communicating clearly without resorting to their native tongues. The new health care plan being debated in Congress promises to bring millions more of these legal immigrants into a system already struggling to communicate with patients in their languages to assure they get the life-saving care they need. Is the health care system ready for more immigrants, even if they are here legally? Why should we embrace any language other than English anyway? Isn’t this America?
Given the burgeoning Hispanic population, Spanish is an obvious second language to English and is spoken throughout the health care system in the United States. Still, the more obscure of the 176-plus languages and various dialects used in doctors’ offices, at clinics, even in emergency rooms when timely attention matters most, often create the most opportunity for patient harm. Some of these patients are underprivileged, but many are not. Research shows that limited English-proficient (LEP) speakers come from all ages and income brackets. The most pressing language needs might surprise you since you’ve likely never heard of many of them: Arlington, Virginia, needs Krio interpreters (the language of Sierra Leone, Africa); Denver needs Karen speakers (spoken in Myanmar, formerly Burma); Seattle needs Oromo (Ethiopia); and Phoenix needs Dari (Afghanistan).
Federal law obligates health care providers receiving government funding to ensure language access to LEP individuals who cannot tell their doctor what hurts, but that hasn’t always been enough to ensure full adoption and save lives. Without guidance or consistent enforcement, hospitals and other medical facilities have responded to the federal language access requirement in dramatically different ways, with some offering in-house interpreters combined with over-the-phone language interpreting services and others offering much less. Even among those with formal interpreting services, the level of quality varies greatly. Fortunately, the states have started stepping up to strengthen interpretation services. A California law took effect on January 1, 2009, requiring all health plans to offer the same access to language services as enrollees in government plans; Hawaii requires language services in all state programs; Maryland mandates language assistance by hospitals and agencies receiving federal funds; Washington requires cultural competency training for physicians; and New York hospitals must develop language assistance programs.
Between 1990 and 2000, the percentage of Americans speaking a language other than English at home increased from 13.8 to 17.8 percent as the LEP population grew from 6.1 percent to 8.1 percent. As we enter a new decade, we’re at a point where this ongoing linguistic change cannot be refuted, and the combination of progressive language law, the expanding needs of an ever-evolving national landscape of patients and just plain common sense have us at a tipping point.
Yes, this is America — the ultimate melting pot. And, although our country is much more diverse and complex than many of us would sometimes like to acknowledge, these differences make us special and unlike any other nation that has ever been. History shows a strong tradition in the U.S. of eventually assimilating each wave of immigrants into our society, the majority of which do learn to speak English. But, the reality is that in 2010 we won’t be a country of one language, or even two or three. We are a country of nearly 200 languages — and cultures — and growing. That’s a good thing as we all benefit from the diverse backgrounds and cultural differences of each other. And, at some point, everyone has to go to the doctor.
