The Trouble with Translations and Timing

Cases in D.C., Missouri show problems with multilingualism in urgent situations

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The problem of limited English proficiency was brought to the forefront last week when just 17 people showed up to Washington D.C.’s largest Latino health clinic for lead testing. Of the visitors to the hastily organized testing site, only four were Hispanic, and all had gotten the word about elevated levels of lead in city water through the English-language media.

There was no common language in the city’s efforts. While the city designated a Spanish-speaking employee to conduct interviews with the media, none of the Spanish language newspapers wrote about the opportunity for lead testing. Furthermore, the city offices that were supposed to reach out to the immigrant population were tied up translating the materials, then checking the translations for accuracy.

“This case illustrates the potential for tragedy when there isn’t time for translation,” explained U.S. English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica. “What would have happened in the case of a tornado or terrorist attack? When there is a short window for the dissemination of information, an emphasis on a common language is more important than ever.”

Last spring, limited English proficiency resulted in tragedy when a tornado whipped through Monett, Mo. Lucia Rueda had just put five-month-old Jacob into a bath when tornado sirens sounded. National Weather Service warnings, even those broadcast on the area’s only Spanish language station, were all in English. As newcomers to Monett and speaking only Spanish, Rueda and her husband believed the sirens were a test. Moments later, the twister sheared through their home, pulling Jacob from his mother’s arms. Lucia survived with broken bones and bruises. Sadly, Jacob did not.

“A Spanish translation might have saved Jacob’s life,” said Mujica, who immigrated to the United States from Chile in 1965. “But what would become of the Russian and Korean speakers in Monett or in Washington, D.C.? Working toward English proficiency will not only save lives in emergency situations, but will allow everyone the opportunity to speak freely with a doctor, help their child with homework or understand notices from the city.”

Even when notice of the elevated lead levels went out to Washington D.C. residents, they were only translated into four languages – English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. Yet more than 36,000 residents (6.8 percent) of Washington D.C. are fluent in one of 87 other languages, including French, Tagalog, German, Arabic and Italian.

“Singling out languages for translation is a divisive measure that promotes more tragedy than it prevents,” said Mujica. “While translators can be beneficial in some instances, an emphasis on English proficiency and English classes is the only sure-fire way to give immigrants the tools they need to succeed and survive in the United States.”

U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. (www.usenglish.org) now has more than 1.8 million members.