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People Public Services Non English Languages Information States English

Id ESLPod_0840_CN
Episode Id ESLPod 840
Episode Title Translating a Document
Title Public Services Available in Other Languages
Text

In the United States, English is the language that is used everywhere, but many "public services" (services provided to people by the government) are provided in non-English languages. In some cases, this is because there are laws that require that certain materials be "accessible to" (able to be used by) non-English-speaking "populations" (groups of people sharing a characteristic). In other cases, it is because a government "agency" (organization; group) wants to improve the quality and "reach" (ability to communicate with many people) of its services.

For example, many "ballots" (pieces of paper used to vote in an election) are printed in several languages, as well as the "voter information pamphlets" (books that present information about the candidates and laws being voted on in an election). In many states, people can apply for a driver's license and take the written exam in a non-English language. Many "welfare programs" (programs that give money or other items to people who have little or no money) have application forms and other materials printed in the languages spoken in their "target communities" (the groups of people the programs are designed to help).

Public medical and legal services are also offered in non-English languages, although this often happens through the use of an interpreter when the "practitioner" (a person who practices law or medicine) does not speak the other language. Courts cannot put a person "on trial" (in a lawsuit) without "ensuring" (making sure) that he or she understands what the lawyers, witnesses, and judge are saying.

Public agencies "increasingly" (more and more often) have telephone answering services that offer information in multiple languages, most often English and Spanish. Callers can push a button on their phone to indicate which language they want to use during the call.

Topics Business

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