Nebraska sees shortage of Translators and Interpreters.

http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=8741547

Nebraska Sees Shortage of Translators and Interpreters

Posted: July 26, 2008 11:26 PM
Updated: July 26, 2008 11:59 PM

Nebraska meat packing plants draw in hundreds of refugees and immigrants looking for work. Many don't speak English. With more than 40 languages spoken in Nebraska the need for interpreters in the courtroom has never been higher.

Certified Court Interpreter Bob Roos said, "We have 21 certified interpreters who are working in the state and we probably need twice that many. Plus there are now more languages in Nebraska to interpret.
When there is no one available to interpret a case, someone might have to be flown in. This can be very expensive. One New Yorker has helped to fill the gap in Omaha and Lincoln over the years. Court Interpreter Javier Soler said, "Often they were last minute requests. We need you here by the morning. Certainly Nebraska has a shortage of interpreters, as does the rest of the country."

The courts aren't the only ones in need of interpreters. The medical field needs them too. St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island has five interpreters, but some local clinics have none. That can be life threatening. Candy Houdek, Manager of Interpreting Services at St. Francis Hospital talks about the dangers, "If you don't have someone there to communicate the doctor doesn't know if the patient is allergic to any medications."
With more than 75,000 refugees coming to the United States each year the need for interpreters is only going to increase. Janet Bonet of Nebraska Association for Translators and Interpreters said, "People deserve the right to be understood in medical systems and the
courts.