Language Line Services’ "Cross-Cultural" Update for Tues, July 22 to Mon, August 4, 2008

Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information

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

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Minority Borrowers Awarded Settlements for Discrimination:

Minority homeowners were awarded settlements last week for being charged higher fees on home loans from GreenPoint Mortgage. As part of the settlement, GreenPoint is now required to better monitor and take action against discriminatory brokers.

According to the attorney general, there is an industry wide problem in which minority borrowers are being charged higher prices, and responsible lenders should increase monitoring of their employees' and brokers' conduct and take necessary steps to ensure fair lending practices.

Language Line Services can provide information regarding how mortgage companies can be sure limited English speaking customers are not discriminated against, and fully understand the terms of their agreements. We can also discuss how language access programs can help companies like GreenPoint avoid such litigation. For more information, please contact Tracy Belcher at 305-445-7043 or tracy.belcher@rbbpr.com.

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Budget Cuts Threaten Use of Interpreters during Natural Disasters:

Earlier this month, Palm Beach County, Florida announced that it may be eliminating the use of sign language interpreters during live local emergency broadcasts. 

With hurricane season upon us, and natural disasters this year ranging from wildfires in California to the devastating tornadoes throughout the South and Midwest, local emergency services providers need to be able to communicate with all members of affected communities, including limited English speaking persons needing interpretation services or those needing sign language assistance. 

Representatives from Language Line Services are available to discuss how cities can prepare to have the necessary language services available in case of a natural disaster of any size.  For more information, contact Julie Jimenez at 305-461-5794 or julie.jimenez@rbbpr.com.

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Communicating in a Global Economy:

Barack Obama says, “We as a society do a really bad job teaching foreign languages, and it is costing us when it comes to being competitive in a global marketplace.”  Experts say there is a downward trend in foreign language studies by Americans, and when compared with other countries, Americans are not as language proficient.

Despite this, more small U.S. companies than ever before are charging into overseas markets, selling hundreds of billions of dollars in goods and services to Asia, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Africa. 

A Language Line Services representative is available to discuss the tools these entrepreneurs are using to communicate and do business overseas without language barriers. For more information please contact Tracy Belcher at 305-445-7043 or tracy.belcher@rbbpr.com.

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Top Foreign Languages Spoken In… Maine, Michigan and Minnesota in June 2008

The information below is provided by LanguageTrak™, a demographics tracking service provided by Language Line Services.

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

For a list of this month’s top language requests for all states visit http://languageline.com/page/topten.

 

Quick Facts

• Maine is the only state in the nation in which Spanish is not the most requested language. The most requested language in Maine was Somali.
  

• Maine has the highest number of requests for Lithuanian and Tamil.
  

• Michigan is one of three states with a request for Barakai. The others are Texas and Georgia.
  

• Michigan had the most requests for Chaldean than any other state. Chaldean is a Northeastern Neo-Aramaic language spoken on the Plain of Mosul in northern Iraq.
  

• Minnesota is only one of three states that received a request for Ga. The others were New York and Maine.

Top Ten Foreign Languages Spoken In… Maine, Michigan and Minnesota in June 2008

Maine   

1. Somali
2. Spanish
3. Polish
4. French
5. Turkish
6. Bengali
7. Arabic
8. Tamil
9. Russian
10. Portuguese

Michigan

1. Spanish
2. Arabic
3. Russian
4. Mandarin
5. Vietnamese
6. Albanian
7. Bengali
8. Bosnian
9. Serbian
10. Cantonese

Minnesota

1. Spanish
2. Somali
3. Russian
4. Hmong
5. Vietnamese
6. Mandarin
7. Cantonese
8. Arabic
9. Oromo
10. Khmer

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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.