City to offer translation services to immigrants

This new law makes it possible for immigrants to live in a city that is more accessible to them. It also frees their young children from acting as translators for their parents in doctor appointments, insurance purchases and other things they are not capable or appropriate to do. DP

BY MICHAEL FRAZIER

newsday.com: Mayor Michael Bloomberg's order that city agencies provide translations for the six most spoken languages means immigrants won't have to rely on English-speaking children to translate complex government forms, supporters said yesterday.

"From now on, New Yorkers with limited proficiency in English will be able to approach the city with confidence, knowing that they [will] have a system in place to respond to their needs," said Bloomberg, who is learning Spanish.

After Bloomberg signed the order yesterday, it became the city's first uniform policy requiring agencies to provide translation or interpretations for Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Italian and French Creole.

According to 2006 census figures, more than 3.6 million, or 45 percent of New Yorkers claimed a first language other than English. About 1.8 million have limited English proficiency, city officials said.

Many immigrants often depend on their children or relatives to help make sense of job applications, transportation schedules or school enrollment forms, said Yorelis Vidal, senior organizer of Make the Road New York, a nonprofit that supports social reform.

But not now, she said, adding "a more fair and accessible city can transform the world."
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