Language Line Services' - Cross-Cultural Update for July 2009

Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information



Motivated Immigrant Women Help to Identify & Assist in the Immigrant Experience:

New America Media, a consortium of more than 2,500 ethnic media outlets nationwide, recently released a report titled Women Immigrants: Stewards of the 21st Century Family, based on an opinion research poll conducted in 2008. More than 1,000 female immigrants from 44 countries were interviewed in 10 languages. The report provides insight into today’s immigrants, how they adapt to American culture, and how they see their future in this country. For example, the poll found that most respondents came to the United States to reunite with their family or to improve their children’s lives. Loly Lopez, a training manager and interpreter with Language Line Services, exemplifies the success immigrant women can achieve for their families and themselves. Twenty years after emigrating to the United States from Venezuela with her husband and daughter, Loly is proud to help meet the language access needs of fellow immigrants while enjoying the achievements of her daughter, a practicing attorney in Florida. To learn more about Loly and other immigrant women who have used their language skills to better their lives, please contact Shawn Yanan at 305.962.1768 or at .


Civil Courts Not Meeting Demand for Language Assistance:

A recent study of civil courts by the NYU Law School’s Brennan Center for Justice examined the 35 states with the highest immigrant populations, finding that 46% do not require that interpreters be provided in all cases and 80% do not guarantee that the courts will pay for the interpreter.  Another alarming statistic – 37% of those states do not require that interpreters have proper credentials.  Considering that civil courts deal with a variety of cases, including divorces, child custody hearings, abuse cases and property related hearings, it is imperative for limited English speakers to be able to participate and understand these proceedings.  Language Line Services provides over-the-phone interpretation for courts throughout the United States, and offers interpreters who have specifically been trained in the terminology and protocols of civil and criminal cases.  A representative is available to discuss how more civil courts can equip themselves to better handle the growing need for language assistance, and the importance of properly training interpreters to ensure the best and most accurate service is delivered to residents.  For more information, contact Julie Jimenez at 305.461.5794 or .


As Immigration Trends Continue, Can Cities Cope with the Increased Demand for Language Access:

The Brookings Institute recently released a report about the immigration trends and language access needs in the Nation’s capital, comparing the increasing needs of Washington D.C. to the rest of the country. In a ranking of the cities with the highest percentages of foreign-born residents, Miami/Fort Lauderdale tops the list with 28.3 percent foreign-born (according to 2007 census data).  Other cities among the top ten for highest concentration of immigrant residents are Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Riverside/San Bernardino, and Phoenix.  The steady rise in immigrant populations in major cities across the nation begs the question: Are our city services up the challenge with regard to foreign-language resources?  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 government, businesses and other entities can prepare for an increase in need for language assistance in the coming years.  For more information contact Chris de la Huerta at 305.448-7535 or . 

 


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.