Breaking Language Barriers This Fourth of July: How Interpreting Unites Us

As we look back on the recent Fourth of July celebrations, it’s important to acknowledge that the strength of our nation lies in its diversity. The United States boasts speakers of over 350[1] languages, with around 67[2] million residents communicating in languages other than English at home.

Among the most spoken languages besides English are:

  • Spanish
  • Chinese
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese
  • Arabic

True patriotism involves embracing every member of our community. By breaking down language barriers, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of equality and unity that Fourth of July represents.

Steps for Inclusive Celebrations

For celebrations and beyond, interpreters play a crucial role in breaking down language barriers and fostering inclusivity.

For celebrations, we can:

  1. Partner with local interpreting agencies or language schools
  2. Provide multilingual signs and printed materials
  3. Train volunteers in basic phrases from commonly spoken languages in the community
  4. Advertise the availability of interpreting services to encourage attendance from diverse communities

How Interpreting Unite Us

By prioritizing language accessibility in our celebrations and beyond, we could experience:

  • More diverse and vibrant community gatherings
  • Increased civic engagement from non-English speaking communities
  • A deeper, shared understanding of American history, values, and each other
  • Stronger, more cohesive communities built on mutual understanding and respect
  • Improved outcomes in healthcare, education, and social services

By incorporating interpreting services into the celebrations, we can ensure that everyone can fully participate and understand the significance of the day.

Looking Forward

This past Fourth of July, we celebrated not just our independence, but also our diversity by breaking down language barriers through interpreting services.

As you reflect on your Fourth of July activities, consider how you made them more accessible to all members of your community and how you might continue these practices in future celebrations.

Legal Interpreters LLC hopes everyone enjoyed a happy Fourth of July, in every language!

[1] usa.gov: https://www.usa.gov/official-language-of-us#:~:text=their%20official%20language.-,Languages%20spoken%20in%20the%20U.S.,spoken%20in%20the%20United%20States

[2] Center for Immigration Studies.https://cis.org/Report/673-Million-United-States-Spoke-Foreign-Language-Home-2018   

By Legal Interpreters Team