First-Ever Free Phone Interpretation Service Comes to California's Third Most Diverse Region

Language Line Services and AT&T connect California Central Valley Multilingual Residents and Visitors with Local and National Businesses in Fresno County

Fresno, Calif. (August 7, 2007) — Limited English-speaking residents and visitors of Fresno County and California’s Central Valley will now find it easier than ever to communicate with businesses and independently conduct their day-to-day affairs thanks to Your World. Your Language.^SM, which launches today in Fresno County and the Central Valley. This first, free over-the-phone interpretation service created by Language Line Services, the global leader of language interpretation, and powered by AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), provides limited English speaking consumers with telephone-based interpreters to access banking, insurance, telephone, government and other vital services within Central Valley area.

Fresno County is the state's third most diverse county, behind Los Angeles and Alameda Counties, where nearly 40 percent of Fresno County residents speak a language other than English at home.

“Imagine that you are a small business owner in Clovis, and you want to apply for a loan to make investments in your business. You’d naturally prefer to conduct the transaction in your own language to make sure everything is just right,” said Louis Provenzano, Language Line Services’ president and chief operating officer.  “Until now, your options were very limited. But today a whole new era of communication has opened up, thanks to Your World. Your Language.”

By simply dialing 1-888-855-0811 and 1-877-TU-LINEA (877-885-4632) for Spanish speaking consumers, Fresno’s growing population of multilingual residents, foreign business travelers and visitors can talk in their own languages to a host of key commercial, retail and entertainment businesses, anytime and at no charge. Callers reach an easy-to-navigate menu that first prompts them to select their preferred language and then a particular business category to call. A specially trained Language Line Services interpreter then joins the line, connects the caller to the selected business and remains on the line to carry out communication between the consumer and the business’ English-speaking customer representative. 

Provenzano noted that most of these limited-English speaking residents live in tight knit multilingual communities with niche economies where they only need limited English. As a result, they have difficulty conducting business outside of their neighborhoods and accessing vital community services without the assistance of English speaking friends and family members. In addition to having a growing population of multilingual residents, Fresno County is blessed by a close proximity to three of the country's most spectacular national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Its prime location attracts visitors from around the globe, making Your World. Your Language. an ideal addition to the services offered to foreign travelers.

“Limited English-speaking residents and visitors to Fresno and the Central Valley will find that Your World. Your Language.  is a new way to get things done quickly and easily,” said Jody Garcia, Vice President of Diverse Channels for AT&T West. “Whether it is opening a bank account, getting a new wireless phone or signing up for a guided tour, Your World. Your Language. gives limited English speakers more control and independence.”

Your World. Your Language. currently serves customers in eight languages including: Cantonese (Chinese), Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (Chinese), Russian, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.  Originally launched in San Francisco, the telephone-based interpretation service is now available to limited English-speakers throughout most of California, and will roll-out nationwide by the close of 2008.

Your World. Your Language. is free for consumers. Businesses that join the WorldPartner^SM  network to sell their products and services through Your World. Your Language. are charged on a per call basis, paying only for calls placed through the service to their customer representatives.

Sample banking, credit card, insurance, health, telephone, utility, travel, transportation, city and social service organizations signed on to offer their services to Fresno’s limited-English speakers through Your World. Your Language.  include: 1-800 Dentist; AT&T, Allstate Insurance; CitiBank, City of Fresno, City Services; DishNetwork; Fresno Grand Opera; Greyline Tours; Macy's; Orbitz; State Farm Insurance; SuperShuttle; Ticketmaster; Union Bank and YellowCab. For more information or a complete listing of Your World. Your Language. business partners visit www.YourWorldYourLanguage.com.

GROWING LANGUAGE SUPPORT NEEDS

15 Percent of the total U.S. buying power owned by the Hispanic and Asian population.

46.9 Percent of Fresno County residents that are of Hispanic decent. Nearly nine percent of the county’s residents are of Asian decent. (U.S. Census)

176 languages spoken in the U.S.; in Fresno County nearly 66 different languages are spoken.

39.5 Percent of Fresno County residents who speak a language other than English at home. ( U.S. Census)

75 Percent of limited English speakers that prefer to speak in their native language
(In-Language Preference Census)

See Spanish language television and radio advertising supporting California’s Central Valley launch of  Your Language. Your World.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) 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. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.