Communication is key, whether you operate internationally or have employees who speak foreign languages. However, in the United States, language access services, including translation, interpreting, and localization services, are often required by law in order to facilitate clear communication with those who speak different languages. Here are three key facts to understanding the regulatory environment surrounding language access services:
1. The U.S.’s Growing Need For Language Access Services
When the topic arises, the majority of people assume that the English language as the only language spoken within the United States. However, this is an incorrect assumption. English is not the official language of the U.S., as the country has never had an official language listed. According to the World Economic Forum, as of 2023, the United States currently ranks fifth in the world as the most linguistically diverse nation with over 300 languages represented within its borders, right behind other linguistically diverse countries like Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. These statistics have been pushed by high net migration numbers in recent years which have been calculated and continuously monitored by the U.S. Census Bureau who predict that the current numbers will outperform pre-pandemic levels soon enough. This in turn has created a grave need to provide interpreting and translation services to those who do not speak English as their first language in order to adequately serve all of the people residing in the United States.
2. Executive Order 13166 And Language Access Services
As described by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, the LEP initiative is abbreviated to describe persons residing in the U.S. with Limited English Proficiency abilities, or who speak English as a second language. The Executive Order 13166 was signed and created in late 2001 by then-President Bill Clinton in an effort to improve the way business is conducted on a national level by requiring businesses associated with the federal government to identify and improve their company’s response to the growing number of diverse residents who have little to no English proficiency. They are required to comply with this regulation by ensuring that adequate resources and accommodations (including government translation services) are provided to the potential client for free in order to ensure a successful transaction with the agency. These resources can include but are not limited to both translations and interpretations into the client’s native language at no additional cost to them. However, it is important to know that these are not the first regulations to be made federally in order to combat this growing demand of language services from national services. The Executive Order 13166 is an extension of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with regard to the National Origin Discrimination Against Persons with Limited English Proficiency.
3. Maintaining Customers Through Language Access Compliance
Language Connections offers high-quality language services for every customer who needs it. Here at Language Connections, our job is to ensure your company can provide accurate and sufficient translation and interpretation resources in order to comply with federal regulations. Whether your company is a federally regulated bank, pharmaceutical company, or is a branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles, we translate it all. By using our translation and interpreting services for your federally regulated business, you can continue to ensure your diverse client base and stay in compliance with federal regulations.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com