PGLS Pulse: November 2024
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Welcome to the PGLS Pulse: your source of timely and thoughtful news about the language services industry.
When Every Word Matters: The Role of Language Services in Natural Disaster Response
Climate change is intensifying natural disasters, as seen with Hurricane Helene, which claimed over 200 lives. While natural disasters affect everyone, limited English proficient populations (LEP) are especially vulnerable due to language barriers that hinder access to vital information and resources.
For instance, when Hurricane Beryl struck Houston in 2024, many LEP residents faced difficulties because emergency resources were available only in English and Spanish, overlooking other key languages spoken in the area. Government agencies are increasingly recognizing the need for inclusive disaster response strategies that address the diverse linguistic needs of affected communities.
Language services like translation and interpretation are vital for bridging communication gaps and ensuring all communities are informed and safe. PGLS supports this mission by assisting government agencies in providing multilingual support, promoting equitable access to critical resources for every community member.
Industry News
Hurricane Helene: North Carolina’s Hmong Families Seek Language Access and Asian Food Items
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Hmong communities in western North Carolina face prolonged power outages, food shortages, and limited access to clean water and medication.
About 300 Hmong families have been affected, notes Sendra Yang, co-founder and president of the N.C. Hmong Women Association. Essential food staples like rice and noodles are now scarce, and the association has partnered with volunteers and community groups to organize Asian food donation drives.
Language barriers further complicate recovery efforts and access to federal assistance, with many Hmong residents with limited English proficiency relying on younger generations for post-storm recovery information. Community leaders are seeking skilled Hmong interpreters to help families apply for FEMA aid, as many English terms lack a direct Hmong translation.
Mee Moua, a former Minnesota state senator, notes, “This is one of the first times I've seen such targeted outreach to our immigrant communities...we want to make sure, for the long term, that our people get access to those resources too. How do we make sure that barriers are removed so that our communities are not left out?” Read more here.
Improving Disaster Outcomes by Bridging Language Gaps in Houston
Although laws require language accessibility where federal funding is involved, enforcement remains inconsistent, especially for minority populations with limited English proficiency. During the Houston derecho storm in May, which brought winds of up to 100 miles per hour and caused four tornadoes, emergency information was primarily issued in English, leaving many immigrants and refugees without critical updates on the storm and available resources.
First responders, including police and medical teams, often lack access to skilled interpreters and accurate translations. This creates barriers for non-English speakers, especially elderly residents, who are most vulnerable during crises like these.
Woori Juntos, a Houston nonprofit, advocates for language access in healthcare, social services, and civic programs. Serving Texas’s Korean, Latino, and broader immigrant communities, Woori Juntos guided members to cooling centers during the storm, offered navigation support in blackouts, and provided language assistance for essential services. “When it comes to our civic engagement…we make sure that it is in their language,” they emphasized. Read more here.
FEMA Assistance: Supporting Individuals with Limited English Proficiency
Language barriers can prevent LEP individuals from understanding evacuation orders, accessing emergency aid, and applying for federal assistance, which may lead to delays or inadequate support. FEMA’s bilingual workforce has struggled to meet language demand, as seen in Puerto Rico after Hurricane María, and inadequate translations have sometimes hindered relief efforts.
To improve LEP accessibility, the 2022 Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders recommended federal hiring of bilingual staff and that FEMA require state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) grantees to identify LEP communities and ensure access to aid.
Experts suggest including LEP communities in disaster planning and conducting direct outreach to affected areas, such as door-to-door campaigns, to address gaps in alert systems that may exclude LEP individuals. FEMA’s National Advisory Council advised tracking language outreach data to assess program equitability across various language groups. Read more here.
For Linguists
Facebook Group Keeps Deaf Community Informed During Disasters
The Deaf Hurricane Information Group on Facebook was created in 2017 by seven women across the southeastern United States, including Debbie Barefield, an ASL interpreter, and Rebecca Gemil.
When Hurricane Francisco hit the Gulf of Mexico, Barefield and Gemil uploaded videos to provide timely updates and alerts in American Sign Language (ASL), allowing those who cannot read English text to stay informed about storm tracking, safety tips, and emergency procedures.
The group’s efforts have highlighted the unique needs of the deaf community during disasters, urging emergency responders and government agencies to address these requirements. Read more here.
Job Opportunities
We are always looking for talented language professionals. If you are a translator, interpreter, or language instructor, PGLS wants to work with you! Explore our open roles here.
PGLS News
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