Language Access Matters Now More Than Ever

In today’s sociopolitical climate, it is easy to overlook what’s at stake when

language access is scaled back, or when we rely too heavily on artificial intelligence. Recently, the Department of Justice encouraged federal agencies to use AI and machine translation to communicate with Limited English Proficient (LEP) communities, but did not specify what “responsible use” entails.

The lack of clarity creates risk. Global Wordsmiths believes that language access is a human right, and at the heart of human connection. It should be managed deliberately and with care. We’ve seen firsthand how transformative effective language assistance can be when individuals with limited English proficiency are heard, understood, and valued.

To support organizations navigating these new guidelines, we’d like to break down what’s at stake, why it matters, the risks of an AI-only approach, and how professional language services ensure fair and equitable access to the critical resources people need to thrive.

Why Language Access Matters

The benefits of language access go far beyond the individuals who are most directly impacted. When all members of a community can communicate in a language they understand, outcomes improve for everyone. Language access:

•  ensures equal access to healthcare, education, and public services,

• protects against discrimination,

• improves public safety and wellbeing,

• reduces social isolation,

• builds trust between institutions and communities, and

• promotes civic engagement.

  Put simply, language access is access. Without it, immigrant and refugee populations face poorer outcomes, and our collective society cannot reach its potential.

Research shows that language access strengthens communities. Imagine navigating a medical appointment, enrolling a child in school, or filing taxes in a language you do not fully understand. This is the daily reality for more than 25 million people in the United States with limited English proficiency, according to the National Immigration Law Center.

When people can communicate effectively and access essential services, the benefits are felt across entire communities. Language access matters not only for individuals, but as a cornerstone of collective wellbeing.

Breaking Down Barriers to Critical Services

Language access ensures that individuals can both understand and be understood across sectors such as healthcare, education, public safety, and government services. Clear communication in these settings leads to tangible improvements, like reductions in preventable illness, stronger educational outcomes, enhanced public safety, and deeper civic engagement.

Healthcare

The benefits of language access are particularly evident in healthcare. One in four LEP individuals lacks health insurance, compared with just 8% of English-proficient patients. LEP patients are more likely to miss appointments, forego preventive care, undergo unnecessary testing, and require hospital admission.

Children in LEP households are also significantly more likely to experience poor health outcomes or delays in treatment. The solution lies in professional interpreter services, which consistently improve patient understanding, quality of care, and health outcomes.

Education

Public schools also face language accessibility challenges. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 5 million English Language Learners (ELL) are currently enrolled in U.S. schools, comprising 10–11% of the total student population. Without equitable access through language assistance, students and caregivers encounter barriers that contribute to achievement gaps, lower test scores, diminished enrollment, and higher dropout rates.

When schools invest in language support, the results are powerful. A 2024 University of Chicago study  found that former ELLs not only catch up, but often outperform both current ELLs and their English speaking peers academically, including in GPA, graduation rates, and college enrollment. The evidence is clear that language access has the power to change the trajectory of a student’s life and improves educational systems.

Public Safety and Civic Engagement

Language access is also fundamental to the efficacy of public safety and government resources. In emergencies, clear communication saves lives. Whether involving public safety alerts, access to public benefits, or systems navigation, multilingual accessibility ensures that no one is excluded.

“In-language communication” also fosters trust in public institutions, increases participation in government programs, and bolsters civic engagement. It strengthens democratic participation and reduces strain on public agencies by ensuring that communities can engage effectively with services.

When considering the new federal guidelines around language access, it’s important to stay mindful of the hard-earned progress made toward language equity over decades of advocacy and work. Artificial intelligence may support this progress, but only if integrated carefully, thoughtfully, and alongside professional human expertise.

Navigating New Federal Guidelines

Recent federal guidance encourages agencies to adopt a “responsible use” and “AI only” approach to communicating with limited English proficient individuals. While cost savings and efficiency are valid considerations, the guidance leaves “responsible use” undefined, creating uncertainty, and putting people at risk.

What Does “Responsible Use” Look Like?

Responsible use does not mean choosing between AI and human translation. It’s about evaluating which tools to use in real-life scenarios. Responsible practices include:

•   testing AI tools on real-world materials across multiple languages,

• comparing AI output with human translations to identify strengths and weaknesses,

• establishing clear criteria for when AI may be used independently, when human review is needed, and when professional services are essential, and

• continually reassessing performance as requirements evolve.

AI is a valuable resource, but it is not a substitute for human expertise.

The Risks of Overreliance on AI

AI-powered translation has many benefits, but overreliance carries significant risks. AI lacks cultural insight, emotional tone, and the ability to convey much linguistic nuance. Errors may result in translations that are awkward and misleading, or harmful and dangerous. In addition, quality diminishes significantly in languages with limited training data, which includes many commonly spoken in the United States.

Beyond accuracy, reliance on AI raises ethical considerations around data privacy and security, bias and representation, impact on the economy, and accuracy & accountability. Thoughtful oversight is therefore essential.

Why Professional Language Services Matter

AI may increase efficiency and reduce costs in some instances, but professional language services ensure accurate, nuanced, and culturally appropriate work. Meaningful, equitable communication cannot occur when language is incomplete, error-prone, or culturally insensitive.

Errors in translation can lead to lost benefits, delayed care, or life-threatening misunderstandings.  Incomplete communication isolates and excludes the target audience. It’s important to leverage both technology and human expertise to communicate clearly, showing respect and providing equality and continuity of service for LEP individuals.

What You Can Do to Help

As equity-focused policies are scaled back in some areas, the need for language access is greater than ever. Everyone from healthcare providers to schools, nonprofits, and government agencies has a role to play. Practical steps include:

• designating a budget line for language services from the very beginning of programs,

• using human translators and interpreters for high-risk or sensitive content,

• training staff to recognize when professional services are needed, and

• measuring the impact of language access on participation, outcomes, and service delivery.
  

When equity through language access is built into systems, the entire community benefits.

A Commitment to Language Access

Language access is a cornerstone of equity, safety, and dignity. As technology evolves, we must not lose sight of the importance of the human expertise and cultural understanding that make effective, meaningful, equitable communication possible. By investing in professional services and applying AI tools with caution, agencies can ensure that every person is heard, understood, and valued. Equitable accessibility depends on communication, and when we protect that right, we create stronger, healthier, and more connected communities for everyone.