Re: Bilingual services
On any given day in the Yuba-sutter region, you’ll hear a number of languages spoken and shared, notably Punjabi and Spanish. Our area has its own unique demographic make-up and this is the case of every sub-region of the state. Many California residents have adopted English as a second language. Over time, their children and grandchildren will increasingly speak English, but what is to happen to them in the meantime?
In government offices throughout the state and county, bilingual services are offered through the Dymally-alatorre Bilingual Services Act of 1973. A statewide survey is conducted every two years and provides the Governor a snapshot of some of the linguistic needs of the state. The last survey showed that nearly 16 million Californians above the age of five speak a language in addition to or other than English. Approximately 44 percent of Californians speak a language other than English at home.
Some may bemoan such language diversity, but being a global hub is what powers the Californian economy and creates opportunities for immigrant entrepreneurs to build products that are popular throughout the world. Other first-generation immigrants work in the fields, toil in the canneries, and transport the food we consume in order to give their English-speaking children greater opportunities.
When interacting with various government agencies, many immigrants depend on their children, friends, and others to help them navigate complex services. Appointments are skipped, canceled, and rescheduled based on the availability of those that can help them. Nothing is more important than having greater personal autonomy; language accessibility broadens that autonomy. Currently, there is a bipartisan effort being led by Central Valley legislators to make bilingual services easier to access. Assembly Bill 3179 (A.B. 3179) is being jointly authored by Rudy Salas (Bakersfield), Joaquin Arambula (Fresno), Frank Bigelow (Madera), Devon Mathis (Porterville), Jim Patterson (Fresno), Jim Cooper (Elk Grove), and Ash Kalra (San Jose). The bill recognizes Punjabi, a language that is the 3rd mostspoken in the Central Valley, and increases access for all those that interact with California’s state agencies in any myriad of state languages.
While their children all speak English, the language skills for many parents, grandparents, and other first-generation immigrants are limited. AB 3179 provides greater opportunities for these Californians to participate in all walks of life with greater language accessibility and most importantly, greater autonomy to live their lives. With bipartisan support from Central Valley officials, we are hoping that legislators in other areas of California also understand the importance of expanding access and allowing residents to live a more full life. Their efforts can put the bill in front of Governor Brown and build a California that celebrates all its residents and revels in its linguistic diversity.
Harjit Singh