THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100512
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
State police dispatchers now speak Spanish - sort of.
As of Aug. 1, the dispatchers have become fluent in 140 languages from Farsi to French using an over-the-phone interpreter system. When a dispatcher receives calls from someone who does not communicate well in English, the dispatcher can quickly set up a conference call through the language line.
According to AT&T, which provided its Language Line Service, an interpreter can be talking to the dispatcher and the person with the problem within moments, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Helping people who do not speak English is ``not by any means a daily occurrence,'' said state police dispatcher Mike Turner, who works out of the Richmond division office. ``Probably it's only going to be several times a year, but it's one of those things when you need it, you need it.''
The need for interpreters is increasing. In 1990, more than one in 14 Virginians age 5 and older spoke a language other than English, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 1980, it was one in 23.
``People who don't speak English well understandably experience frustration when calling state police for assistance or emergency services,'' said Col. M. Wayne Huggins, state police superintendent.
Dispatchers are handicapped in their efforts to help if they can't understand the people they're talking to, Huggins said.
State police spokeswoman Mary Evans said the interpretation service is expected to cost the state $150 a month. Per-minute prices vary from $2.20 to $4.50, depending on the time and the language.
KEYWORDS: FOREIGN LANGUAGE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE by CNB