Language Line Services' - Cross-Cultural Update for May 26 to June 8

Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information

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National Call for Coverage of Language Services: 

In a letter to President Obama, more than twenty national organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association, asked the administration and Congress to address the health disparities gap for racial and ethnic minorities as part of comprehensive health reform.

Three specific priorities were outlined: 

1. Improving incentives, resources and data collection to eliminate disparities in care for minority populations;
2. Increasing the number of nurses, doctors, dentists, mental health practitioners and other caregivers in minority and underserved communities; and
3. Providing coverage and access to care for all, resources to address the factors that contribute to the disparities gap, and training to help health care providers deliver culturally competent care.

In particular, the letter recommends the provision of “coverage for language services for patients who have limited English proficiency, are functionally illiterate, or are deaf or hard of hearing to reduce patient care errors, improve communication with patients, and thereby reduce disparities.”

Language Line Services President and COO Louis Provenzano is available to discuss the role language services play in improving access to care and patient safety. For more information or to request an interview, please contact Shawn Yanan at 305.962.1768 or at shawn.yanan@rbbpr.com.

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New Census Data Shows that America’s Population Continues to Diversify:

The Census Bureau recently released new statistics showing that minorities continue to make up a larger part of the country’s population.  Approximately 104.6 million people in the United States are part of a minority group, with 47% of the nation’s children under the age of five being a minority.  Hispanic children make up 25% of this demographic. 

With minorities expected to make up the majority of the American population in the coming years, it is important that both the public and private sector take note of how these changes will affect the way they interact with the population.  Increased importance needs to be placed on providing language assistance for the growing number of non-English speaking minority groups and immigrants. 

Language Line Services, the leading provider of language assistance globally, works with 911 dispatchers, hospitals, government agencies and private businesses to provide interpretation services for limited-English speakers.  A Language Line spokesperson is available to discuss how businesses and other entities can prepare for an increase in need for language assistance in the coming years.  For more information contact Julie Jimenez at 305.461.5794 or julie.jimenez@rbbpr.com. 

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One of the nation’s most culturally diverse states considers English-Only law:

New York State Assemblyman Brian Kolb introduced a bill on Feb. 13 proposing that the state conduct all official business in English and that all official documents, regulations, orders and publications shall be printed in English only. 

Nationwide, thirty states have made English their official language so far, and similar legislation is pending in eleven others. This is especially surprising in New York, where census data shows that over one million residents do not speak English well or at all and approximately 174 different languages are spoken throughout the state, making it one of the most language-rich in the country. Many groups have spoken out against the bill, particularly supporters of bilingual education, who argue that the discriminatory tone violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act which specifies language discrimination as a federal civil rights issue. 

Government-funded language services have increased cooperation with local law enforcement and domestic violence programs, enhanced security and enforcement at international airports and even saved lives when 911 calls used an interpreter. 

A representative from Language Line Services is available to discuss the human cost of “English-Only” laws and the importance of governments communicating with limited-English speakers in their native languages.  For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Christine de la Huerta at 305.448.7535 or christine.delahuerta@rbbpr.com.

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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 multicultural marketing and regulatory compliance objectives, please call 1-800-752-6096.