In Every Language Position on Ky SB6

As a business, In Every Language tries not to engage in political debate. But as interpreters, we must be aware when political issues threaten or affect the people we work with.

Kentucky Senate Bill 6 is an Arizona-style immigration bill for the Commonwealth that, if made law, would allow state and local police to fine or detain anyone they suspect of being undocumented.

Regardless of your position on immigration or your personal political beliefs, the passing of this bill--and even its being considered--has a clear impact on Kentucky's limited-English proficient (LEP) population.

What You Can Do
First, we would like interpreters to consider how this bill impacts LEPs you interpret for.  Are they going to feel welcomed in the facilities where we interpret?  Are they going to be forthcoming with medical, legal, and other information?  How does this change the tone or vocabulary you use as an interpreter?  If the bill passes, will you as an interpreter need to bring your residency documents with you to appointments?

Secondly, we understand that some of you may be adamantly for or against this bill, which has already successfully gone through the Ky Senate.  We encourage you to contact your Kentucky House Representative to express your opinion and to tell your representative how you would like for him or her to vote.  You may find your representative's contact information by clicking here.

Third, be present so you can learn more! Community information sessions regarding this bill will be held in Louisville on

Saturday, January 22nd (2 pm) at the Americana Community Center
(The Americana is independently seeking volunteer interpreters for this event. To volunteer, call 502-366-7813.)

Saturday, January 29th (3 pm) at Beechmont Presbyterian Church
(In Spanish)

Yours to Decide
Again, I would like to stress that you have a right to your own opinion.  Whether you are for or against Ky SB6 is yours to decide and our interpreters' individual positions will not affect whether or not In Every Language gives them interpreting assignments.  But, again, as interpreters, we must be aware of what impacts our clients and our LEP audience, which is why I am posting this in my blog.

Thank you.

So What Is Title VI, Anyway?

Edgardo Mansilla, director of the Americana Community Center in Louisville, Ky, explains what Title VI is at a recent mayoral candidates forum. Video also includes Jackie Green, former candidate for Louisville mayor.

Multilingual Mayoral Forum

On October 20^th at 6:30 pm, the Americana Community Center presents “A Multicultural Evening with Candidates Greg Fischer and Jackie Green,” as part of their mayoral candidate forum. Interpreters from In Every Language will interpret the forum from English into Spanish, French and Swahili.

Non-English languages are playing a vital role in tight races, such as the one for Louisville mayor. A recent Huffington Post article (“In Tight Races for Congressional Seats, Language Could Make a Difference”) stresses the importance of candidates reaching limited-English-speaking audiences in the upcoming election. According to the article, 4.2 percent of Kentuckians speak a language other than English in the home.“[E]ven tiny margins can make or break a candidate. The ability to communicate to potential voters in their native languages is taking on new importance,” says Nataly Kelly, the article’s author.

In Every Language is providing free interpreters at the event so that Louisville’s international community members may access the same information as Louisville’s English-speaking community.  In Every Language offers translation, localization, and interpreting services nationally in 175 different languages.

Thanking the Troutmans

Louisville is losing the Troutmans.

Yesterday, the announcement came that Dr Adewale Troutman had accepted a job at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health.  Today, the announcement followed that his wife, Denise, would be leaving, too.

Adewale is currently the director of Louisville's Department of Public Health and Wellness; Denise is the director of the Center for Women and Families, Louisville's domestic violence and rape crisis center.

Both LMDPHW and the Center are In Every Language clients, so we've been fortunate to see first-hand the impact these two leaders have made on our community.  While Adewale heads out in November and Denise next March, we already feel the difference.  Thank you, Adewale and Denise, for the work you've done.

Business Advice at Jewish Family and Career Services

Guest blog today with information for our Louisville-area contractors from Linda Golden, Project Manager:

Running a business is not an easy task. Invoicing, tax forms, marketing - the to-do list never ends. Yet as an independent contractor, that is what you're doing: running your own business.

At In Every Language, the interpreters and translators we work with are all independent contractors running their own language businesses. We frequently get calls with questions about invoicing, mileage reimbursement and letters of employment verification; however, IRS Employee vs. Independent Contractor laws limit our legal ability to offer anything but the most basic response to these questions. That's why we're excited to partner with Jewish Family and Career Services (JFCS) to offer all of our linguists small business development advice.

Need information on developing an invoice template for your language business? Not sure which tax forms you need to submit? Is travel to an appointment something you can write off on your taxes? What associations should you join? Should you get a business card? JFCS is happy to meet with you to answer all your questions. They also offer free business classes. In fact, a new class on writing a business plan will begin this Sunday (July 25th) at 1:00 PM. To register, call Gary Liebert at (502) 452-6341.

The Institute for Social and Economic Development recently published a brief article about JFCS's services on their blog. You can read it here: http://www.ised.us/blog/refugee-ida/his-goals-are-within-reach

If you would like to take advantage of the free services at JFCS, call Mary at (502) 452-6341 to schedule an appointment.