Since the 1960s, Indiana has seen a large wave of immigration from various countries around the world, however, the largest influx has been from Spanish-speaking nations. This has been especially true in Marion County, which has become increasingly diverse.

Henry Fernandez, a Lawrence Township School Board member, was brought to the U.S. by his family from Cuba in 1966. "My father was an attorney in Cuba doing commercial law, and then Castro came into power and nationalized all of the businesses… When you nationalize the businesses, you can't practice commercial law," Fernandez said.

Therefore, interpreters and translators have been needed to help add Spanish to municipal signs, brochures, and voice mail systems. "Eventually, we're going to see a large portion of people in many urban areas that would be considered multiracial… At some point… the white majority will no longer be the majority in the country," said Carol Rogers, deputy director of the Indiana Business Research Center.

In addition, interpreters have been needed in public schools to those students that English is a second language, creating a commodity in bilingual teachers.

As the area grows, it is likely that the demand for interpreters and translators will increase in a rapidly diversified Marion County.

22 September 2008