When a Hispanic couple want to get married at Seymour City Hall, but neither the bride nor groom speaks much English, it could present a problem.
The same goes for a non-English speaking resident who needs to schedule a ride on the city’s public transportation bus or has a question about a sewer bill.
But that doesn’t seem to be the case, as city and county offices, local businesses and community agencies find ways to communicate and meet the needs of a more diverse population. The Hispanic population in Jackson County grew from 1,112 in 2000 to 2,410 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Some places, such as Seymour Community School Corp. and Schneck Medical Center, employ full- or part-time translators. Others contract translators on an as-needed basis or find other ways to get information across to customers and clients who don’t understand English.
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Stephanie Furlow, director of marketing and public relations at the hospital, said translation services are an important tool when providing medical care to patients.
“We utilize two full-time Spanish language interpreters, and additional spoken and sign language interpreting is also available through video interpreting and certified language interpreters via a telephone,” Furlow said.
Staff translators stay busy, working both in the hospital and at local medical offices, she added.
The need for interpretation at the hospital is greatest in the emergency room and the obstetrics and gynecology department, she said. Video interpretation often is used in doctors offices for pre-operative surgery and inpatient services.
Another resource available to the public is Southern Indiana Hispanic Services. With offices in the Community Agency Building in downtown Seymour, the nonprofit organization is available for interpreting and translation services for hire.
The agency, formerly called La Paz de Cristo Social Ministry, opened in 2004 and saw the largest areas of need for language services in medical, dental, legal, education and housing.
Currently, SIHS employs Kim Barnett of Seymour as director, and there is one volunteer. Both are available to assist with interpretation and translation needs.
Most requests involve families needing to fill out paperwork to acquire birth certificates, driver’s licenses and other personal documents. The agency, however, also helps clients complete job applications, fill out tax forms, write letters and create résumés.
“Whatever the need, we will attempt to meet that need or refer to existing resources,” Barnett said.
The agency is utilized most by the local Hispanic population.
“Our largest clientele has been the Spanish-speaking residents who request our services to accompany them as interpreter to various appointments,” Barnett said. “But we also are able to assist businesses or agencies that interact with Spanish speakers.”
SIHS also refers its Spanish-speaking clients to other resources in the community they may need, such as the Community Health Center, WIC, Read Jackson County and Turning Point, all of which utilize Spanish-speaking staff members or volunteers.
“Language barriers create a need for language assistance in all areas of daily living,” Barnett said. “It can be extremely frustrating to be unable to communicate over the simplest of issues.”
But people seem to find a way to get their message across when they need to, she added.
Often residents who speak little English will take a family member or friend with them to translate or rely on the Internet to provide those services. But for accurate and complete interpretation or translation, Barnett said, it’s best to have someone certified to do so.
“People learn to adapt. They use what resources they have available, and they seek to educate themselves,” she said. “The issues are challenging and long term, but Southern Indiana Hispanic Services exists to help meet those challenges.”
The SIHS office charges an hourly fee for its services, which are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Thursday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday. Interpretation is available for clients’ outside appointments, Barnett said.
Anyone needing assistance can call 812-524-8618 during office hours.
Barnett said a public translation/interpretation service is not a new concept, and such agencies are popular in larger cities.
Although Seymour Police Department does not have a translator on staff, Police Chief Bill Abbott said they have access to one in an emergency situation.
“We contract with one of the county dispatchers who speaks fluent Spanish, but our dispatchers and officers know just enough that they can usually work out the situation,” he said.
Most non-English-speaking residents understand some English, even if it’s just a little, Abbott added.
“They understand main words like police and ambulance,” he said.
Dispatchers also have access to a quick online translation service.
Not being understood can be frustrating, but it’s never been a hindrance, Abbott said.
“It may come up a couple of times a month, but many people who don’t speak English are hesitant to call the police anyway,” he added. “And if it comes down to it, we can always hand them a notepad, and they can usually write out the problem in English.”
Officials at city hall often turn to Barnett when language is a barrier to communicating with residents.
Edie Otte, director of the city’s public transportation service, said there have been a few times when she needed a translator to help schedule rides.
“They usually bring someone that can translate for them or else they speak enough broken English that we usually can figure it out,” she said.
Otte said Barnett has explained the bus system and how it works to many SIHS clients.
“We also have a pamphlet available in Spanish that explains the fee system and how to schedule rides,” Otte said. “But really we don’t have a lot of Spanish-speaking riders.”
Clerk-Treasurer Fred Lewis used Barnett to help write out cards for him to use when marrying Spanish-speaking couples. He said a language barrier hasn’t kept anyone from getting married.
Same goes for collecting sewer payments, he said.
“A lot of times they will bring someone with them, or sometimes she (Barnett) comes in with them to help,” Lewis said. “It’s never really been a problem.”
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Southern Indiana Hispanic Services
Location: Community Agency Building, 113 N. Chestnut St., Suite 203
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. Interpretation and translation services also available for outside appointments by calling and scheduling.
Contact: Call 812-524-8618 or email [email protected]
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