On paper, the law aims to promote integration among the 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, dominated by the Han Chinese, through education and housing. But critics say it cuts people off from their language and culture. The law mandates that all children should be taught Mandarin, starting before kindergarten and continuing until the end of high school. Previously, students could study most of the curriculum in their native languages, including Tibetan, Uyghur, or Mongolian.

“The law is consistent with a dramatic recent policy shift to suppress the ethnic diversity formally recognized since 1949,” Magnus Fiskesjö, an associate professor of anthropology at Cornell University, said in a university report. “The children of the next generation are now isolated and brutally forced to forget their own language and culture.”

The National People’s Congress in Beijing argues that teaching the next generation Mandarin will help their job prospects. Government officials also state that the new law is crucial for promoting “modernization through greater unity.”

The law provides a legal basis to prosecute parents or guardians who may instill what it describes as “detrimental” views in children that would affect ethnic harmony. The law also calls for “mutually embedded community environments” that some analysts believe could result in the breakup of minority-heavy neighborhoods.

“This focus on development and prosperity is telling,” Ian Chong, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, said. “It’s easy to read this language as meaning that minority languages and cultures are backward and impediments to advancement.”

BBC (3/12/26) By Laura Bicker

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American Sign Language (ASL) students, under the guidance of experts from the Deaf and Native Hawaiian communities, are partnering with UH Mānoa Athletics to sign the national anthem, cheerleader chants, and the university’s fight song at games. The effort gives spectators who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing a way to experience moments many fans take for granted in a state where demand for ASL services far outpaces the number of available interpreters. This is the first known partnership of its kind between ASL students and the university’s athletics department.

ASL volunteer signer Pumehana Holmes, an English major who grew up with two Deaf parents, said the goal is simple: making sure Deaf fans feel included. “I hope that the Deaf community is able to see themselves being supported and that they’re not invisible in the crowd but are wanted in the crowd,” Holmes said.

The effort also reflects a broader need across the state. Hawaiʻi faces a critical shortage of ASL interpreters. According to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, there are approximately 2,800 ASL users in Hawaiʻi and an estimated 500 visitors each day who rely on interpreting services. There are currently about 30 ASL interpreters across all the Hawaiian Islands. Only 23 are credentialed by the State of Hawaiʻi, with a handful of others holding national credentials.

To help address this gap, UH Mānoa has already expanded ASL coursework and is also planning to expand interpreter training opportunities for students interested in the field.

For student volunteer Sabrina Gill, the experience also helps build awareness among hearing fans. “Having student interpreter volunteers and interpreters is really important for building more access into our UH Mānoa community,” Gill said. “But it’s also important for hearing people who might not know sign language just to have more visibility and awareness of sign language,” Gill said.

University of Hawaiʻi News (3/17/26)

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“Bennington College has a great history as a center for the translation of literature,” said Bennington Writing Seminars Executive Director Mark Wunderlich. “We are happy to now offer instruction in literary translation in our graduate writing program. Students will now be able to spend two terms studying with some of the finest translators in the field and leave with a fully translated work.”

Bruna Dantas Lobato, a Bennington College alum and Bennington Writing Seminars faculty member and National Book Award-winning translator, designed the program to enable students to engage with a global literary community.

“We translate literature to engage with the world and its many languages, to be in conversation with and open to modes of thinking and being besides our own,” Lobato said. “Literary translation is the rewriting of a literary text in a new language and all the transformations that act entails, as the text travels to a new cultural, linguistic, and aesthetic context. Translation broadens and deepens our understanding of humanity and language, shows us there are more possibilities beyond our reach, and pushes us to challenge our own perspective. It’s thanks to translation and translators that readers aren’t cut off from the rest of the world, living in intellectual isolation.”

Bennington Banner (3/6/26)

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Under the Interpreter Career Pathway Program, participants who are fluent in one of the territory’s eight official Indigenous languages will receive training over the next year.

Agata Gutkowska, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, said that while more work is necessary, existing initiatives—including the Mentor-Apprentice Program and the Interpreter Career Pathway Program—motivate speakers of different fluency levels to become more advanced. “These programs also equip interpreters with advanced skills for other fields, including the healthcare system and the courts,” Gutkowska added.

Advocates have been calling for training and certification programs for Indigenous language speakers since the closure of the government’s Language Bureau and Aurora College’s Interpreter-Translator Program in the 1990s.

Eleanor Bran, a retired Dene Zhatıé (South Slavey) interpreter, said she is happy the program will help train new speakers. “It will give them the incentive to go out there and train and learn,” she said.

Bran added that translating for the Legislative Assembly requires an understanding of technical language and specialized terminology. “We might be excellent in our native language, but when it comes to the English language, you have to be well-versed.”

Elizabeth Biscaye, a former director of the Language Bureau and a Dëne Sųłıné (Chipewyan) speaker, said that formal training is beneficial even for those who have a natural talent for interpreting. “You can always tell the difference,” she said.

CBS (03/27/26) By Yumna Iftikhar

The post Northwest Territories Indigenous Language Interpreters Weigh in on New Training Program appeared first on �������� (ATA).

While there aren’t many details on exactly how it’s being used, the Department of Finance and Treasury Board, which has been piloting the program for the past year, said it’s mainly being used for translating internal documents. But this has some translators concerned.

“There are certain ethical considerations here that we should take into account, because translators fear that they may lose jobs, or that their source of income may diminish,” said Sergey Petrov, a certified translator and the president of the Corporation of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of New Brunswick.

Petrov said many of the corporation’s 110 members are individual contractors, and some may get less work if AI is used in their place. “It can make your work a lot easier, but there are some valid concerns,” he said.

Government officials said ChatGNB was created with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and that it’s being used because it’s more private and secure than other AI models out there. “The tool was developed to address the need for meeting privacy and security requirements not previously available from commercial services, while safely exploring benefits from AI,” said a statement from a representative with the Department of Finance.

The Department of Finance said that documents like collective agreements, contracts, policies, and external-facing documents will continue to be translated by Service New Brunswick’s translation services, even as AI develops.

Petrov said the government told the corporation that “employees are encouraged to review translations for accuracy and formatting.” But he doesn’t think that guideline goes far enough and said the corporation will be issuing a formal statement suggesting the government require AI translations to be reviewed and corrected by a real human.

“For me, this is an immediate red flag,” Petrov said. “Because if you want to produce something that’s intended for public use, or that has a serious nature such as legal documents, legally binding documents, or technical documentation or commercial documentation without a review, you are set for trouble sooner or later.”

Petrov said he thinks ChatGNB will open the door for AI to be used for more tasks. “There should be a human being in charge who can be held responsible for what they produce.”

CBC News (1/29/26) By Victoria Walton

The post New Brunswick Government Using Generative AI to Translate Internal Documents appeared first on �������� (ATA).

Wireless Emergency Alerts are short, text message-like alerts sent by government agencies through cell carriers to warn the public of imminent threats, including severe weather, natural disasters, missing persons, and other public safety emergencies. These alerts are among the most widely used public warning tools in the U.S., but for years were issued only in English, with Spanish only supported more recently.

Wireless carriers now have until June 12, 2028, to update their systems to support multilingual alerts in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, German, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, as well as American Sign Language. This expansion will benefit an estimated 1.3 million New Yorkers statewide who are not proficient in either English or Spanish and will now be able to access critical, life-saving information during emergencies.

“This is a profound victory for the millions of New Yorkers and families across the country who will no longer be left without guidance during emergencies and natural disasters,” said Attorney General James in a statement. “No one’s ability to protect themselves and their loved ones should depend on the language they speak. I am proud to have stood with my fellow attorneys general and advocates nationwide to push this rule forward. This language expansion will save lives.”

Office of the New York State Attorney (1/21/26)

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FLHSMV said they are implementing the change statewide and will no longer allow interpreters for any of the oral exams or the printed tests. The change began on February 6 and will apply to all driver license classifications, including oral exams, FLHSMV said.

Previously, knowledge exams for most non-commercial driver license classifications were offered in multiple languages, while commercial learner’s permit and commercial driver license knowledge exams were only available in English and Spanish. Under the updated policy, all driver’s license knowledge and skills testing will be conducted in English.

To implement this change, FLHSMV has updated its driver license testing system statewide. Any printed exams in languages other than English will be removed from use.

“FLHSMV remains committed to ensuring safe roadways for all Floridians and visitors by promoting clear communication, understanding of traffic laws, and responsible driving behavior,” the department said in a statement.

CBS Miami (2/5/26) By Ana Maria Soler

The post Florida Driver’s License Tests Now Offered Only in English appeared first on �������� (ATA).

Colorado lawmakers established a process in 2017 for districts to create a seal of biliteracy to be awarded at graduation. Students earn the endorsement if they show proficiency in English and another language through grades and tests.

House Bill 1028, which passed the House Education Committee, states that only 55 of Colorado’s 179 school districts offer a biliteracy seal. This disproportionately leaves out students in rural districts or small schools. The bill creates a new bilingualism diploma endorsement and expands the ability of schools to offer biliteracy and the new bilingualism endorsements.

Students in districts that haven’t created their own endorsement would still need good grades and to take tests measuring competency in English and another language. They would be able to work with a college, university, or a Colorado Department of Education-approved educational nonprofit partner to receive an endorsement.

State Representative Elizabeth Velasco said bilingual students live in every corner of the state, but too many can’t showcase their mastery. The endorsements help demonstrate students’ abilities to employers and colleges. “We want to make sure that kids are able to elevate their skills no matter where they live.”

The bill would require the Colorado Department of Education to set uniform statewide educational requirements for the bilingualism endorsement. Districts that don’t have a program could work with a college or educational non-profit for a fee.

Jorge Garcia, chair and chief executive officer of the Colorado Association for Bilingual Education, said during committee testimony that the current seal has helped students access scholarships and get the recognition they deserve for their abilities. His organization supported the 2017 law.

“In the spirit of continuous improvement, we see the opportunity for us to go even farther, the opportunity to increase access,” Garcia said.

Chalkbeat (2/5/26) By Jason Gonzales

The post Colorado Bill Would Make Bilingualism Endorsement Available to High School Graduates appeared first on �������� (ATA).

AB 377 was introduced in July 2025, four months after an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that established English as the official language of the U.S. AB 377 would require that most government communications to citizens be provided in English.

Representative David Murphy, who coauthored AB 377, said the bill will promote societal cohesion and save costs incurred from providing interpreters.

“One of the important things about having an official language for society is that language draws people together, and I think it’s really important to give a society cohesiveness with people who speak the same language,” Murphy said.

“You want to make it legal to use AI as an interpreter, which might be useful for ordering lunch, but certainly not sufficient for legal hearings, official forms, and civil rights — not to mention that this implementation of AI would, quite literally, take jobs away from Wisconsinites who work as interpreters,” said Representative Priscilla Prado, who chairs the Wisconsin Hispanic Legislative Caucus. “If efficiency were the goal, we would be talking about improving language access, not political symbolism. Wisconsin does not lose its identity because Spanish or another language is spoken. What it does lose is credibility when it ignores a substantial part of its population.”

Joseph Salmons, a professor of linguistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, said measures to make English an official state language have had limited yet negative effects.

“The bill sends a signal, and it’s the same signal the executive order sent, which is that other languages are not welcome here,” Salmons said. “It’s damaging to the fabric of communities.”

[Note: ATA encourages members to email or call Wisconsin legislators now.]

The Badger Herald (1/21/26) By Abigail Wandersee

The post Bill Passes Assembly to Establish English as Official Language of Wisconsin, Replace Interpreters with AI appeared first on �������� (ATA).

Specifically, the group and the NCTA at large report a widespread and growing trend of non-certified individuals accepting interpreting assignments reserved for CMIs. State regulations explicitly require fully certified interpreters for high-stakes medical-legal evaluations.

To uphold due process for working-age Californians who speak a language other than English at home, the Department of Workers’ Compensation mandates that an interpreter be present at all medical treatment appointments, legal depositions, and hearings.

The NCTA has documented numerous incidents where non-certified individuals were erroneously permitted to interpret at these frequent workers’ compensation evaluations, which by law are reserved for highly qualified, fully certified interpreters.

The issue is not just the lack of full certification, but also how those credentials are presented. Certification advocates allege that a number of HUB-CMI credential holders are intentionally misrepresenting themselves as “fully certified” to medical office staff.

HUB-CMI is a preliminary, non-renewable entry-level interpreting credential. It indicates that an individual has passed a written examination in English only, demonstrating a baseline knowledge of the medical interpreting profession.

CMI is the full certification granted by the NBCMI. It requires passing both the written exam and a rigorous oral examination in a specific language. The proper credential designation includes the language, such as “CMI-Spanish.”

Advocates for certified interpreters argue that credential misrepresentation, including expired pre-certification status, is a direct violation of the NBCMI’s own disciplinary policy, which lists “fraud or misrepresentation of the NBCMI credentials” as grounds for sanctions.

“It would be simply devastating to see NBCMI or other certified interpreters, who have spent considerable resources on training and testing, be replaced by those who have not yet attained the appropriate credentials,” said Lorena Ortiz Schneider, a leading advocate for California certified interpreters.

“The National Board has emphasized that, as a certification body, we do not have the power to oversee the types of assignments that an interpreter takes,” said NBCMI Chair, Joanna Larson. “We have recommended that these concerns be taken to the relevant state body that oversees this legislation. Additionally, we have reminded CMI and HUB-CMI interpreters that they are responsible for being familiar with and abiding by any local laws in the area or areas that they serve.”

Slator (1/29/26) By Rocío Txabarriaga

The post California Certified Interpreters Take Issue with Chronic Credential Misrepresentation appeared first on �������� (ATA).

The bill also aims to make it easier to mobilize communication more quickly in emergencies. In the immediate aftermath of the Lewiston mass shooting in 2023, for example, ASL interpreters weren’t immediately allowed into hospitals.

But Matt Webster, director of the Maine Association of the Deaf, said during a public hearing before the legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services Committee that the bill should be amended to further broaden pathways to certification.

“The Deaf community deserves qualified, experienced interpreters, and these amendments, while maintaining all quality standards, remove unnecessary barriers,” Webster said.

Maine Public (1/28/26) By Patty Wight

The post Maine Bill Aims to Boost Access to American Sign Language Interpreters appeared first on �������� (ATA).

House Bill 3026 calls on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to adopt a comprehensive plan for school districts to establish or expand dual language education in their schools by December 15, 2026.

The law also requires Illinois to establish an optional pathway to recognize biliteracy at various levels before high school by July 1, 2027. That change would include milestones for bilingual students in Pre-K, fifth grade, and eighth grade to encourage early language development.

“These provisions stem from recommendations from the Illinois Advisory Council on Bilingual Education’s report,” said Senator Graciela Guzman, who sponsored the bill along with Representative Abdelnasser Rashid. “Most notably are the no-cost recommendations that would allow us to build up dual lingual language in our state in a critical way.”

The law requires ISBE’s Equity Journey Continuum to integrate dual language education into the broader framework of student learning to ensure that it’s considered an essential part of educational equity and excellence by July 1, 2029. This includes provisions for dual language teachers, focusing on recruitment, professional development, and retention of bilingual educators.

“As someone who grew up in a multilingual household, I can tell you firsthand that learning another language is an incredibly enriching experience,” Representative Abdelnasser Rashid said. “This bill doesn’t just expand dual language programs. It will improve academic achievement, enhance cultural preservation, and help our young people become well-rounded individuals with a better understanding of themselves and the world.”

WAND-TV (1/12/26) By Mike Miletich

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