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Language Line Services' - Cross-Cultural Update for June 9 to June 22

Useful Cultural News, Tips and Timely Information


Major Health Risks of English-Only Medical Care: 


According to a report this month in The New England Journal of Medicine, overseas screening for tuberculosis coupled with follow-up evaluation in the United States could reduce the number of TB cases among foreign-born residents, which is nearly 10 times that seen in US-born residents. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that roughly 58 percent of new US cases of tuberculosis in 2007 were in foreign-born persons.

Meanwhile, a study last year by the Infectious Diseases Society of America suggested that immigrants with tuberculosis symptoms wait longer to seek medical care, resulting in more opportunities for transmission. These statistics demonstrate the risk of English-only medical care and the need for comprehensive language access services among US hospitals and community health centers.

Representatives from Language Line Services, which provides language access to thousands of hospitals and CHCs across the country, are available to discuss this issue and the important role medical interpreters play in public health safety. For more information, contact Shawn Yanan at (305) 962-1768 or .


Majority of Latino Youths Children of Foreign-Born Parents:


A recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center shows that 60% of Latino kids in the United States are the children of immigrants, a huge difference from the 1980’s when most were descendants of U.S. born parents.  This reflects the huge number of immigrants who have come to the U.S. from Latin America in the past three decades.  The study also found that 43% of first-generation and 21% of second-generation Latino children are not fluent in English. 

As a result, the number of students in the “English as a Second Language” school program have doubled.  This means added headaches for parents who are unable to understand/speak English, but have to assist their children in navigating the school system, speaking with teachers, and continuing their education while at home.  Language Line Services, the leading provider of language services, works with school boards across the country to enable communication between schools and limited-English speaking parents.

A Language Line representative is available to discuss the importance of providing language assistance to parents, to ensure that they are able to be fully engaged in their child’s education and school life.  For more information, contact Julie Jimenez at 305-461-5794 or .


Lack of available language access thwarts law enforcement process:


Arabic dialects complicated a Pennsylvania state grand jury investigation into a cocaine ring, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.  Investigators believe that the traffickers were able to operate “under the radar” for some time, partly due to the obscurity of the languages spoken within this close-knit group.

The language barrier forced the attorney general's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation to hire a translator throughout the 18-month investigation.  With the increasing number of limited-English speakers in the U.S., law enforcement agencies are struggling to employ the proper staff to meet the language needs of investigations, victims and defendants. 

When cases like this go to court, juries and judges face similar challenges to ensure a fair trial.  With the number of languages spoken in any given community, it is often impossible for cash-strapped communities to hire bilingual staff, and thus many rely on an over-the-phone or video interpretation service.  

Language Line Services is the leading interpretation provider for 9-1-1, fire, police, and courtrooms throughout the U.S.  A representative is available to discuss language access protocols, rights, and the innovative steps some police stations and courts are taking to overcome the language barrier. For more information, contact Christine de la Huerta at 305.448.7535 or .


Employment Opportunities Arise From Increase Need for Language Assistance from Burmese, Greek, Haitian, Karen, Kurdish, Lithuanian and Nepali speakers. 


In the last six months, leading interpretation provider Language Line Services has seen requests for language assistance in Burmese, Greek, Haitian, Karen, Kurdish, Lithuanian, and Nepali continue to significantly increase amongst its hospital, government and business clients. Utilizing its demographics tracking system, LanguageTrak™, Language Line Services quickly reacted and has begun hiring new interpreters with fluency in these languages to ensure its clients always have access to interpreters within seconds to help facilitate the needs of their patients/consumers.

Representatives from Language Line Services and the local organizations impacted by these emerging languages are available to discuss the effect of this increase of limited-English speakers on the local community, and the overall importance of reacting quickly when a new language need emerges to ensure hospitals,  local municipalities and businesses are able to effectively serve all constituents, regardless of language. For interviews or more information please email or call 305-785-0424.


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.