Just over a decade ago, there was little need in Central Virginia for foreign language interpreters. Today, however, schools and courthouses now have staff that includes full time interpreters.
There has been an increase of immigrants to the area so the Charlottesville Office of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) began to help the local community by providing various language interpreters.
The number of people who speak Spanish in the area doubled between 1990 and 2000. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 11.1 percent of households in Virginia speak a language other than English. Out of these individuals, 591,326 speak English very well or well, while 143,865 indicated that they speak English not well or not at all.
According to Susan Donavan, regional director of IRC, assistance with translation services "was immediately embraced by the community." The agency now assists the area with 50 interpreters who serve over 75 local community organizations.
17 November 2008
