You have the right to a free interpreter

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Massachusetts Language Access Coalition (MassLAC)
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You have the right to a free interpreter and important written information in your language at most:

  • Schools
  • Public programs
  • Courts
  • Police
  • Public housing, and
  • Hospitals/Doctors.

You have the right to:

  • Talk to the court about your case,
  • Apply for benefits,
  • Talk to your child’s teacher,
  • Talk to the police or your doctor, and
  • Get important written information

all in your own language.

Programs that get money from the federal government must give everyone access to services. If you do not speak English well, you still have this right. Those programs cannot discriminate against you because of your national origin or your language. This means the staff should:

  • Communicate with you in your language,
  • Serve you as quickly as possible, and
  • Treat you with respect.
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Who can get an interpreter?

Anyone who needs an interpreter has the right to one. Courts and most public programs must give you a free interpreter, if you need an interpreter to:

  • understand what is said, or
  • make yourself understood.

It does not matter what your native language is or what your immigration status is.

If it is hard for you to understand or speak English, you have the right to a free interpreter at court and public offices. You also have the right to important written information in your language.

What if I can speak a little bit of English?

You still have the right to an interpreter. If you are more comfortable in your native language than in English, you have the right to an interpreter. You need to understand everything your worker says, and your worker needs to understand everything that you say. Otherwise, there might be problems with your case.

Courts, schools, hospitals, police, and government programs all must follow the law, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

What does an interpreter do?

It is the interpreter’s job to help you communicate with the program. Interpreters are professionals. They speak both your language and English fluently.

An interpreter’s job is to:

  • tell you what program staff say to you,
  • tell the program staff what you are saying,
  • tell you the questions that program forms ask, and
  • translate your words into English on the forms.

An interpreter cannot:

  • add anything, change anything or leave anything out of what you or staff say;
  • accept any money or gifts from you;
  • have personal conversations with you;
  • share any information about your case with anyone else; or
  • take sides or give you their opinions about your case.
How much does it cost to use an interpreter?

An interpreter costs you nothing. The court or office will pay for the interpreter. It is illegal for them to ask you to pay for one.

Courts and public programs must translate important written information like notices, applications, and consent forms. They cannot charge you for the translations.

How do I get an interpreter?

If you need an interpreter, ask for one. You can say,

“I speak ­­­­­__________. I need an interpreter.” Or, you can show the program staff a flier in Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, or Haitian Creole to ask for help. Or, use this poster to show the staff the language you speak. They should give you a free interpreter.

They must not:

  • Make you pay for an interpreter,
  • Ask you to bring your own interpreter, or
  • Send you away because you do not speak English. They must help you the same day.

 

What if they do not give me an interpreter or they ask me to bring my own?

If the program does not give you a free interpreter, complain.

  1. Ask to speak to a supervisor. If the supervisor doesn’t give you an interpreter,
  2. Write down:
    1. the supervisor’s name,
    2. the name of the program, and
    3. the date.
  3. Report it to the Language Access Coalition online.

The Language Access Coalition will investigate.
 

What if I cannot understand the interpreter?

You have the right to an interpreter you can understand. If they speak a different dialect, the phone connection is bad, or there is another problem, tell the staff.

If you cannot understand the interpreter, ask the interpreter to repeat themselves or say it in other words. If you still cannot understand, say, “I cannot understand my interpreter.” The interpreter will tell the staff. They should give you a new interpreter.

If they do not give you an interpreter you can understand, complain:

  1. Ask to speak to a supervisor. If the supervisor doesn’t give you an interpreter,
  2. Write down:
    1. the supervisor’s name,
    2. the name of the program, and
    3. the date.
  3. Report it to the Language Access Coalition online.

The Language Access Coalition will investigate.

Can I bring my own interpreter?

You can bring your own interpreter. But a program must not ask you to bring someone to interpret for you, or ask a friend or relative you brought with you to interpret.

Benefits of a professional interpreter:

  • Professional interpreters are fluent in both languages. 
  • They interpret directly and clearly everything that you and the program staff say.  
  • Professional interpreters follow rules about interpreting.  
  • They keep your information private.

You may bring your own interpreter if you want to. But, if your friend is not a professional interpreter, it can cause problems.

Also, do not ask a child to interpret. A child is not a reliable interpreter. Children may not be able to understand all the words in English or in your language. The message may be too sensitive or delicate – not for a child’s ears. It is not fair to you or your child to ask them to interpret. Protect your child and yourself. Demand a professional interpreter.

What is the Massachusetts Language Access Coalition?

The Massachusetts Language Access Coalition (LAC) is a group of legal advocates. We promote the rights of all people in our community to access justice and public services in their preferred language.

You have the right to a free interpreter and written information in your language at court and most public programs. LAC works to make sure courts, government agencies, and other public programs follow the law and respect your rights.

If a program refuses to give you a free interpreter or important written information in your language, report it to LAC. We will investigate. The online form is also available in the following languages:

How do I tell LAC about the program that denied me an interpreter?

You have the right to a free interpreter and written information in your language at court and most public programs. 

If a program refuses to give you a free interpreter or important written information in your language, report it to the Massachusetts Language Access Coalition (LAC). We will investigate. The online form is also available in the following languages:

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