Free Interpreter Service Unveiled to Non-English Speakers in Indianapolis

Language Line Services and AT&T Connect Indianapolis Residents and Visitors With Local and National Businesses

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 17, 2007 — In the spirit of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Language Line Services, the global leader of language interpretation, and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and local Hispanic community leaders have announced the launch of Your World. Your Language SM. in Indianapolis. The service will be available to Indianapolis residents and businesses Friday, Sept. 21, 2007.

Your World. Your Language. easily connects limited-English-speaking consumers with businesses so the consumers can independently conduct their day-to-day affairs. Created by Language Line Services and operated by AT&T, this free over-the-phone interpretation service provides limited-English-speaking consumers with telephone-based interpreters to access banking, insurance, telephone, and other vital business services within a consumer’s local metro area.

Indiana was selected as the second state in a nationwide roll out because of its fast-growing immigrant population. More than 34 percent of Indiana’s foreign-born population entered the U.S. in the past five years, and the state is an increasingly popular place for immigrants to live because of its friendly business economy and diverse commerce community. As a result, more than 9 percent of Indianapolis residents now speak a language other than English at home.

“Imagine that you are a recent immigrant to Indianapolis from Mexico who speaks little, if any, English, and you want to apply for a loan to purchase a new home,” said Louis Provenzano, Language Line Services’ president and chief operating officer. “Naturally, you’d prefer to speak to the bank in your own language to ensure that everything is just right. Until now, your options were very limited, but with Your World. Your Language., a whole new era of communication has arrived.”

By dialing 1-888-855-0811 and 1-877-TU-LINEA (885-4632) for Spanish-speaking consumers, Indianapolis’ 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 dial in to 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’s English-speaking customer representative. 

Provenzano also noted that most of these limited-English-speaking residents live in tight knit multilingual communities with niche economies, so only limited English is needed. As a result, they have difficulty conducting business outside their neighborhoods and accessing vital community services without the assistance of English-speaking friends and family members.

 “AT&T is proud to partner with Language Line Services on this important service to better serve the diverse communities in Indiana,” said Hardmon Williams, vice president and general manager, AT&T Indiana Consumer Markets. “We’re committed to ensure a seamless communication process for our customers, and Your World. Your Language. now makes this possible for everyone, despite what languages they speak.”

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 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 and pay 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 limited-English-speaking residents through Your World. Your Language.  include: 1-800-Dentist; AT&T; Allstate Insurance; CitiBank; city of Indianapolis Government Services; DISH Network; Greyline Tours; Macy's; Orbitz; State Farm Insurance; SuperShuttle; Ticketmaster; and YellowCab.

For more information or a complete listing of Your World. Your Language. business partners, visit http://www.YourWorldYourLanguage.com.


Growing Language-Support Needs

  • 15 – Percent of the total U.S. buying power owned by the Hispanic and Asian population
  • 176 – Total number of languages spoken in the U.S.
  • 9.1 – Percent of Indianapolis residents who speak a language other than English at home ( U.S. Census)
  • 4 – Percent of Indianapolis residents who speak Spanish at home (U.S. Census)
  • 75 – Percent of limited-English speakers who prefer to speak in their native language

            (In-Language Preference Census)