viaLanguage.com -Press Release

Government Agencies Select viaLanguage’s Online Translation Services

Improving Communication with Limited-English Proficiency Population

Portland, Ore. – December 22, 2004 – viaLanguage, a leading provider of global online translation services, today announced that government agencies are turning to viaLanguage for the translation of vital public information. Government agencies, such as the Oregon Office of Public Health Preparedness, Mississippi Department of Health and California Department of Social Services, are focusing on ways to improve communication within the limited-English proficiency (LEP) segment of the population. Through viaLanguage’s online translation services, agencies are more effective at communicating important information such as, emergency public warnings and notices and other program information to the LEP community.

According to the U.S. 2000 Census, 18 percent of the United States population speaks another language at home. Of that, 8.1 percent have limited English proficiency; making it challenging for government agencies to effectively communicate with all members of the United States population. As the number of LEP’s grow, the need to communicate in a variety of languages increases for government agencies. For example, in the state of Oregon 12.1 percent of the population speak another language. The state needs to reach the Hispanic, Russian and Vietnamese populations in particular. By using viaLanguage’s online translations services, Oregon state agencies can communicate important and urgent information accurately and clearly and can do so in a culturally sensitive way.

“The United States is really a country comprised of immigrants,” said Robert Cortez, Limited English Proficiency Coordinator, State of Oregon, “With 33.7 million of the population being foreign born, it’s important that all levels of the government have the ability to communicate effectively with limited English speaking people. Leveraging a translation service like viaLanguage addresses this very important need.”

“In the event of a disaster information must be provided to the public fast,” said Chanin Ballance, CEO viaLanguage. “viaLanguage can help Public Health Emergency Departments get information out quickly through our 24/7 online system. Additionally, we help ensure that all public health notices ranging from emergency disasters, virus outbreaks and flu vaccination facts are accurately translated into other languages such as, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, German and French.”

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About viaLanguage

viaLanguage is a leading provider of online language translation services for marketing collateral, technical documentation, presentations, reports, general correspondence, Web and software content. The viaLanguage Online Language System (OLS) provides desktop access to high-quality translation and editing services. Clients include: BASF, Citibank, DaimlerChrysler, Freightliner, General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, NetIQ, healthcare organizations and State governments. For more information, contact viaLanguage at (503) 243-2007.


	Press Release Government Agencies Select viaLanguage’s Online Translation Services Improving Communication with Limited-English Proficiency Population Portland, Ore. – December 22, 2004 – viaLanguage, a leading provider of global online translation services, today announced that government agencies are turning to viaLanguage for the translation of vital public information. Government agencies, such as the Oregon Office of Public Health Preparedness, Mississippi Department of Health and California Department of Social Services, are focusing on ways to improve communication within the limited-English proficiency (LEP) segment of the population. Through viaLanguage’s online translation services, agencies are more effective at communicating important information such as, emergency public warnings and notices and other program information to the LEP community. According to the U.S. 2000 Census, 18 percent of the United States population speaks another language at home. Of that, 8.1 percent have limited English proficiency; making it challenging for government agencies to effectively communicate with all members of the United States population. As the number of LEP’s grow, the need to communicate in a variety of languages increases for government agencies. For example, in the state of Oregon 12.1 percent of the population speak another language. The state needs to reach the Hispanic, Russian and Vietnamese populations in particular. By using viaLanguage’s online translations services, Oregon state agencies can communicate important and urgent information accurately and clearly and can do so in a culturally sensitive way. “The United States is really a country comprised of immigrants,” said Robert Cortez, Limited English Proficiency Coordinator, State of Oregon, “With 33.7 million of the population being foreign born, it’s important that all levels of the government have the ability to communicate effectively with limited English speaking people. Leveraging a translation service like viaLanguage addresses this very important need.” “In the event of a disaster information must be provided to the public fast,” said Chanin Ballance, CEO viaLanguage. “viaLanguage can help Public Health Emergency Departments get information out quickly through our 24/7 online system. Additionally, we help ensure that all public health notices ranging from emergency disasters, virus outbreaks and flu vaccination facts are accurately translated into other languages such as, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, German and French.” # # # About viaLanguage viaLanguage is a leading provider of online language translation services for marketing collateral, technical documentation, presentations, reports, general correspondence, Web and software content. The viaLanguage Online Language System (OLS) provides desktop access to high-quality translation and editing services. Clients include: BASF, Citibank, DaimlerChrysler, Freightliner, General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, NetIQ, healthcare organizations and State governments. For more information, contact viaLanguage at (503) 243-2007.