Language in the Labor Force

This week we're at the 2011 Maine HR Conference.   The 2011 Census indicates that Maine's population is rapidly diversifying; both Portland and Lewiston's minority populations doubled over the past decade (no time to crunch the numbers? for a good recap of all the data see Downeast Denizen's blog post).  In a time where Maine's overall labor force is shrinking, that means that more and more employers are working with staff from different backgrounds and who might speak different languages.

Sadly, many times employers only realize that they need an interpreter after a problem has developed.  This week, CCME Language Partners can be found at the 2011 Maine HR Conference talking to employers about how to proactively respond to the new workforce.  Employers today are using translations to explain safety procedures beyond a shadow of a doubt, staff training to head off workplace tensions, and interpreters to clear up misunderstandings and pave the way to good communication between management and personnel.  See a glimpse of our talks here:

Picnics & Photos: Celebrating Culture

Here are two great events that are ways to learn more about our refugee communities.  One is in Lewiston, the other is in Portland.  Both will be casual, fun ways to get to know your new neighbors.



Source: http://www.laarts.org/visual/CG.htm

 Downtown Girls: A Reflection of Community - April 29-June 10th, 2011.  Opening Reception: Friday April 29 4-7pm.  This photovoice project equipped young girls with cameras and invited themt o document their worlds.   A series of fifty images give a glimpse into their lives, and an insight into Lewiston's newest immigrant community, as seen through that community's youngest members.  Location: L/A Arts Community Gallery, 221 Lisbon Street, Lewiston ME

New Mainer's Event - May 7th, 2011 from 1-3pm, sponsored by Catholic Charities Refugee & Immigration Services.  This year we will have a DJ, an arts & crafts table, kickball games, face painting, jewelry making, and lots of food! For more information contact Aimee Vlachos-Bullard at 523-2737 or abullard@ccmaine.org.  Location: USM University Green, 23 Bedford Street, Portland.  Parking is available in the lot next to the green.

We'll see you there!

What if Einstein had to pass the TOEFL?

Today I watched a brilliant talk by Patricia Ryan, an English teacher in Dubai:




She asks a great question: "If I knew a monolingual Dutch speaker who knew the cure for cancer, would I stop him from entering my British university? I don't think so, but that is exactly what we do!"  She asks, how many skills are we overlooking because this genius does not speak English?  What if Einstein had to pass the TOEFL?

In some cases scientists have failed to reach the correct answer because their languages and ideas didn't and couldn't help them visualize the question in the right way.  Any interpreter can tell you that we think about some ideas in one language, some ideas in another.  Why?  Because it's just easier, that particular language lends itself to the discussion at hand.

There are currently 6,000 languages in the world, and in 90 years we will have only 600.  That means that a language dies every 14 days.  Imagine!  That means that in a year the world loses 26 different ways of describing the human experience. 

As an interpreter, I cannot count the number of brilliant people I know who have struggled to learn English.  Brilliant people who may speak more than one non-English language, but who are unable to figure out our grammar and syntax.  Does that make them less intelligent than we who have spoken English since birth (and, incidentally, can only speak one language)?  Furthermore, what happens when the elder generations can no longer communicate their wisdom to their grandchildren who no longer speak their language?

Ryan points out that the price of even taking the TOEFL are sometimes cost-prohibitive.  The reality is that even for those who will never attend college, learning even basic English is sometimes economically unfeasible.  Many drop out of basic ESL classes because they need to work.  It is ironic that when you are working two or three jobs to support your family and guarantee that your children can someday attend college, that you might not have time or energy at the end of the day to learn English yourself. 

Every interpreter has been asked, "But why can't this person just learn English?"  This is a question that we all struggle to answer.  "They are learning."  "It's hard for them."  "I'm here because they want to express themselves fully."  -- all are quick, pat answers that we offer.  However, as Ryan points out, the question is larger--yes, we all can learn English, but what will we lose if we do?

What would you do if it were your baby?

Have you seen the public service announcement from the Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators? 



What must it be like for the thousands of people living in Maine who are still learning English, who live this experience every day?  What would you do if this were your child?

Tips from the trenches

I'm going to let you in on a dirty little department secret: you don't always need an interpreter.  That's right, even sitting on our pile of golden interpreters, the proverbial Midas of language services, we don't always immediately run to the language line.

It's ironic, right?  We're supposed to be in the business of selling interpreters.   

As we discussed this odd phenomenon and compared notes over the refugee-services water cooler, we came up with these "how-to" tips for confident cross-cultural communication.  We realized that we all do the same things when working with limited-English proficient clients. It's not rocket science, but it is powerful stuff:

• Assess your statement - what are the implications if they don't understand?  Use these steps below for simple, concrete communication.  For complex issues, run--don't walk--to your nearest intepreter service.
• Slow down (speaking louder doesn't help, slower does).
• Shorten your statements
• Avoid compound sentences
• Explain processes and don't assume they'll know how systems work
• Draw a picture
• Watch body language for furrowed brows or glazed eyes
• Ask open-ended questions to make sure they understood
• When you have to repeat something two different ways and it's clear that they still don't get it then reach for the interpreter. 

This last point is important.  It's a glorious victory for a client when they can explain their needs without having to use an interpreter; they are one step closer to independence.  But don't ever let a client continue to struggle or leave with questions.  Use a phone interpreter service for five minutes at the end of the appointment to make sure all was understood.  Your time--and theirs--is worth getting it right.

Article review: The debate over remote interpreting

Recently an two interesting studies came out comparing various forms of interpretation.

The Annals of Emergency Medicine showed that on-site interpretation lead to greater patient and provider satisfaction.   This reinforces what on-site interpreters have known for years: there's something special about being in the room.  I was once told by a medical practitioner that over 70% of their diagnosis comes from the conversation before they ever touch a patient.  Wouldn't you want that conversation to be as accurate as possible, capture every gesture, every nuance?  Additionally, our health system is overwhelming and disorienting to many who are new to this country.  On-site interpreters provide a comforting presence to patients--a piece of the familiar in an intimidating new environment.

On the other hand, the another study in the Journal of Internal Medicine found that patients preferred to have simultaneous interpreters via a remote wireless feed.  Technology is revolutionizing our field.  Phone interpreter companies are growing exponentially, with national and international reach.  They are able to offer more languages and at a cheaper price than many local interpreters can afford.  In these lean economic times, that's an important consideration.  Also these jobs enable freelance interpreters who speak rare languages enough work to stabilize their income, leading to a professionalization of the field.  That's 100% fantastic.

Obviously, both articles found that trained, professional interpreters increased patient and provider satisfaction.  However, as a profession we have very little data as to the best practices of phone vs. on-site interpreters.  When does it make sense?   Which settings can use the phone, and which need an on-site interpreter?   What is key to good outcomes? And is satisfaction the same as good health?

These articles give us some marvelous first steps towards quantifying how we create good interpreting outcomes.  As a manager who advises hospitals about the best interpreting tools for the job, I look forward to more such studies.

Cure your cabin fever

March is looking to be a fun month!  All work and no play makes for dull minds, so you'll find us celebrating at two great events to raise money for two keystones of the Portland immigrant & refugee community. 

The first is Portland Public Schools' Rock Around the World event.  Proceeds go to support an intensive summer school of English  Language Learning students.  A great cause, but the party itself is worth the ticket price.  Great foods from many nations, and dance music from the U.S. and beyond.  Impromptu dance lessons abound, and there's no shame if you can't do the steps because it's guaranteed that everyone will be learning at least one new dance that night!  Date: Friday, March 11, 7-11 pm, Italian Heritage Center in Portland. 

The second is Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project's CeleSoirée, a night of art, music and food.  Few art shows are as fun as ILAP's.  There is live music (this year drumming by Jordan Benissan and flamenco by Olas--both will make you want to move your feet and clap your hands) and more delicious food than you can imagine.  And the silent art auction--so much, such talent!  ILAP's work has touched the lives of countless immigrant and refugee families in Maine.  Supporting an amazing organization and possibly winning some breathtaking art.  How can you go wrong?   Date: March 25th, 5pm-9pm at the Portland Company, 58 Fore Street in Portland.

See you there!