Policy on Translation and Interpretation
ISPN encourages the professional interpretation and translation of public communications and communications intended specifically for the immigrant/refugee community. This means that organizations, companies, and governments should work with a professional interpretation and translation agency when creating communications and in delivering services. It also means that immigrant service providers that do not offer professional interpretation services will redirect requests for interpretation and translation to professional agencies. Our goal is to build best practices within our community for working with people who are not fluent in English.
Translation and Interpretation Recommendations
Thank you for your efforts in support of language accessibility for our community.
As a reminder, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act requires agencies receiving federal funding to provide meaningful language access to their communications and services. ISPN can help you create a language access plan and/or access translation and interpretation services that will contribute to meaningful language access.
TRANSLATION
We recommend that communications to the public and recruitment communications be available in at least six languages anywhere where they are available in English. Every organization’s reach is different. Please feel free to reach out to us, and we can tailor a list of languages we recommend. If you are unsure of your reach or where to start, we recommend the following five languages:
St. Louis City audience: Arabic, Bosnian, English, French, Spanish, and Vietnamese
St. Louis County audience: Arabic, English, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese
Missouri-wide audience: English, French, German, Mandarin, Spanish, and Vietnamese
If the communication is intended for a specific immigrant or refugee group, make sure the communication is available in languages used by racial and ethnic minorities within that group.
INTERPRETATION
Service recipients, patients, and clients are not responsible for providing their own interpreter. The service provider must offer and provide the interpreter.
Uninsured patients are entitled to an interpreter at no cost.
Interpreters should be affiliated with an organization that does professional interpretation or translation whenever possible.
Family members should not serve as interpreters (for the protection of both the patient/recipient and the service provider).
Under no circumstances should minors provide interpretation.
How ISPN Can Help?
We can work with you to design a language access plan. We have a template available, and our Language Justice Committee can answer questions or assist with writing your plan.
If you have specific questions about best practices for equitable language access, please contact info@ispnstl.org.
Language access complaints can be sent via the Interpretation Feedback Form. ISPN’s Language Justice Committee will follow up when applicable.
For document translation and in-person, video, or phone interpretation, we recommend the following agencies. If you have non-professional or in-house translations that you want to be reviewed, these organizations can check for clarity and accuracy.
For best practices in language access, please see:
Language Justice Feedback Form
This feedback form was developed by the ISPN Language Justice Committee to track and document experiences with language access in area businesses and agencies. To send a response, complete the form below.