Language Line Services’ "Cross Cultural" Update for June 10 through June 23

Useful Cultural News, Tips and Information

For a list April 2008's top language requests for all states, visit http://languageline.com/page/topten

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Cast Your Vote In Any Language?

The city of Boston is considering taking the innovative step of translating candidates names into Chinese and other foreign language characters on ballots to ensure limited-English speaking residents are are able to cast an informed vote in the upcoming presidential election. Not only is this move considered aggressive in some cities across America, it might even be deemed illegal in places like Polk County, Iowa  where a county judge recently ruled that the local election office violated the state’s “English-only” law by translating voter-registration information.

Language Line Services works with local election and government agencies throughout the country and can discuss how, despite contrasting climates from state to state regarding services for limited-English speaking residents, demand for its interpretation and translation services remains strong and is expected to rise as local municipalities prepare for the presidential election. Press representatives, please contact Jeanine Karp at 305-448-3754 to arrange interviews.

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Language and Cultural Barriers to Disaster Response and Assistance: 

Racial and ethnic minorities are at risk in face of natural and man-made disasters in terms of preparedness, impact, and recovery. According to the American Public Health Association, immigrants in disaster areas are especially vulnerable because of their immigration status, lack of English proficiency, and lack of access to resources.

With the start of the 2008 hurricane season and the recent rash of tornadoes across the Midwest, government agencies and private entities providing direct services to disaster survivors need to have a strategy to meet the language and cultural needs of immigrants and refugees.

Language Line Services representatives are available to comment on the language access services that can be marshaled in a crisis to protect the health and well-being of immigrants and the public health of all persons in affected disaster areas. Press representatives, please contact Tracy Belcher at 305-445-7043 for more information or to arrange interviews.

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Equality and Quality in Health Care Delivery:

The link between the quality of language services and the quality of medical care for limited English proficient (LEP) patients is irrefutable. Speaking Together: National Language Services Network, a national initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, recently published two reports in its ongoing effort to improve the delivery of language services to reduce health care disparities in America.

These reports,  "In Any Language: Improving the quality and availability of language services in hospitals" and "Patients Give Feedback on Language Services at Ten Hospitals", demonstrate how hospitals can monitor performance and realize measurable improvements in the delivery of language services to patients.

Language Line Services representatives are available to comment on the reports and discuss how hospitals across the country are overcoming the challenges of establishing a comprehensive language access program. Press representatives, to schedule interviews, contact Shawn Yanan at 305-962-1768.

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Study Finds Link Between Language Barriers/Suicide:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released their biennial study of U.S. high school students on June 4, which found that Hispanics are more likely to feel hopeless or sad and attempt suicide than their black and white counterparts.  Due to the language barrier, many Hispanics, especially recent immigrants, are disenfranchised and feel unable to assimilate into the community.

Representatives from Language Line Services can discuss how organizations, schools, healthcare facilities and 9-1-1 call centers can meet the needs of students, parents, patients, and customers and provide the necessary assistance.  For more information, please contact Julie Jimenez at 305-461-5794.   

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The Following Information is Provided by Language Line Services' LanguageTrak™

This data reflects the languages most requested by emergency services, government agencies, health care facilities and businesses in April 2008.

>> Click for a list of April's top language requests for each state

Quick Facts

• Turkish was requested more in Idaho than in any of other state. In the last year, requests for Turkish interpreters have increased by 400%, taking the language from barely significant, to the second most requested in the state.

• Illinois had the most requests for Asmat, Yaosakor (spoken in Indonesia), three times more than the next closest state, California.

• Kurdish requests in Idaho have been increasing in the past 6 months. Since November 2007, it has been requested more in Idaho than any other state.

• Iowa had the second most requests for Bosnian after only New York.

• Illinois was the only state with a request for Sindhi, spoken in Pakistan.

Top Ten Foreign Languages Spoken In… Idaho, Illinois and Iowa

Iowa

1. Spanish

2. Vietnamese

3. Bosnian

4. Arabic

5. Somali

6. Laotian

7. Russian

8. Korean

9. Mandarin

10. Burmese

Idaho

1. Spanish

2. Turkish

3. Somali

4. Russian

5. Burmese

6. Farsi

7. Polish

8. Pashto

9. Mandarin

10. Arabic

Illinois

1. Spanish

2. Polish

3. Russian

4. Mandarin

5. Korean

6. Arabic

7. Cantonese

8. Vietnamese

9. French

10. Portuguese

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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 multi-cultural marketing and regulatory compliance objectives, please call 1-800-752-6096 option 4.