Language Line Services' - Cross-Cultural Update for October 14 to October 27, 2008

Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information

**LanguageTrak Alert: Asmat,Yaosakor language on the rise (details follow)**

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Need for Greater Language Education in Schools:

Barack Obama says, “We as a society do a really bad job teaching foreign languages, and it is costing us when it comes to being competitive in a global marketplace.” 

Experts say there is a downward trend in foreign language studies by Americans, and when compared with other countries Americans are not as language proficient. The demand for professionals with strong language skills is clear. 

Leading interpretation and translation provider Language Line Services is constantly searching for interpreters that have strong foreign language skills so that it can service the Fortune 500 companies and thousands of other businesses and government agencies that need access to this resource in order to compete globally.

Why, then, is the United States so far behind other world powers when it comes to language education?  What impact is the recent wave of English-only laws in local municipalities, and the more than 20 states that have statutes declaring English as the state’s official language?

A Language Line Services representative is available to discuss the importance of the United States having strong foreign language education programs and the opportunities language education has provided its base of employed interpreters and multi-lingual executives. For more information or to arrange interviews contact Jeanine Karp at 305-785-0424 or jeanine.karp@rbbpr.com

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Limited English Speaking Students Affect School Test Scores Throughout the Nation:

Schools across the United States are receiving their test scores this week, in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act. 

For the first time ever, limited-English speaking students were forced to take the same exam as English speakers, giving many school districts lower scores than in past years.  Schools who fail to meet the required pass rate can face several penalties including a state takeover of the facility. 

Not surprisingly, limited-English speaking students scored lower then their counterparts in English, but in several school districts the case was the same with math. This news comes on the heels of recent studies linking the impact of limited-English proficiency on youth's enrollment and success in schools. 

A representative from Language Line Services is available to discuss how schools can engage limited-English speaking students and their parents to ensure they are provided with the necessary language assistance in the school environment to succeed.  For more information, contact Julie Jimenez at 305-461-5794 or julie.jimenez@rbbpr.com

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Measuring the true cost of interpretation:

Tennessee councilman Eric Crafton announced this week he plans on introducing a bill that would transfer the cost of interpreters from the local government to the non-English speaking individuals requiring interpretation for Metro Services.

Crafton intends to extend the bill to emergency services, such as 9-1-1, in the future. This is just one example of controversial English-only legislation proposed by local municipalities around the country.

Language Line Services representatives are available to discuss the impact such bills can have on the entire community, including non-English speakers and English speakers both in monetary and human terms.

They can also discuss Title VI of the Civil Rights Act which requires any organization receiving federal dollars to provide access to services for those with limited English proficiency. For more information, contact Tracy Belcher at 305-445-7043 or tracy.belcher@rbbpr.com

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Immigrants Cast Deciding Vote in Upcoming Elections:

Reports out of Illinois and California find that immigrants may be the swing voting bloc in several congressional elections come Nov. 4 and future elections after that. 

In the San Joaquin Valley of California, nearly one in six residents of voting-age are foreign-born naturalized citizens, and in Illinois immigrants make up more than 12% of the population in at least eight congressional districts. 

Some of the key ethnic groups in these states are Hispanics, Ukrainians, Portuguese, Armenians and Sikhs, just to name a few. 

A representative from Language Line Services is available to discuss what districts can do to prepare to meet any language needs these groups require when registering to vote and at voting locations.  For more information, contact Julie Jimenez at 305-461-5794 or julie.jimenez@rbbpr.com

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LanguageTrak

The information below is provided by LanguageTrak™, a demographics tracking service provided by Language Line Services.

The data reflects the interpreter languages most requested by emergency services, government agencies, health care facilities and businesses.

 

Asmat,Yaosakor:

• Nationally, in the past year there has been a 105% increase in the need for Asmat,Yaosakor interpreters.

• Asmat,Yaosakor is one of twelve dialects of the Asmat language, spoken only in Indonesia.

• Areas that have seen the largest increase in the demand for Asmat,Yaosakor:

1. Covington, Lexington, Richmond, KY  -- 2000% increase
2. San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, CA -- 500% increase
3. Chicago, IL -- 100% increase
4. Elgin, Evanston, Waukegan, IL -- 33% increase

• Areas with the largest demand for Asmat,Yaosakor:

1. Chicago, IL
2. Covington, Lexington, Richmond, KY
3. Merced, Modesto, Stockton, CA
4. Elgin, Evanston, Waukegan, IL
5. San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, CA                    

ABOUT LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES

Language Line Services, the world’s leading provider of language-based services, is a trusted partner to thousands of organizations whose focus is to effectively serve the rapidly expanding market of limited English speakers.

The company delivers a dynamic suite of solutions spanning translation, transcription, phone and video interpretation, interpreter certification, localization and localized software and devices, enabling clients to communicate with customers in their preferred language.

Through its leading-edge technology infrastructure, Language Line Services provides support for more than 170 languages to its industry-leading portfolio of clients across markets including health care, financial services, government, telecom, manufacturing, insurance, entertainment, travel, and more.

For information on how Language Line Services is helping clients achieve their strategic multi-cultural marketing and regulatory compliance objectives, please call 1-800-752-6096.