Being the national language, English is by far the most common language spoken in the United States. However, there is a substantial section of the population who either do not speak much English or are at least more comfortable in their native (non-English) language. With that in mind, being able to speak a second language is a useful skill for attorneys. Being bilingual myself (I speak English and Spanish), I have seen this firsthand. This blog attempts to discuss a couple of those benefits.
Communicating with Clients
Probably the most obvious benefit is being able to communicate with your client directly. I have been on the other side of cases where the defense attorney provided by the insurance carrier does not speak the same language as the defendant (their client). The use of an interpreter slows everything down as it is not as easy for the attorney to meet with their client. Being able to speak the same language as your client prevents the language from getting in the way or slowing down the process. Being able to speak the client’s native language allows them to more accurately convey their wishes and more actively participate in obtaining justice for themselves.
Access to Justice
When a person cannot speak English, they often either do not know what resources are available to them or cannot effectively access the means to get justice for wrongs done to them. There are also nefarious individuals who take advantage of non-English speakers because they know it is harder for them to do something about it. While it is possible for an interpreter to be used, it can often be a much slower, frustrating, and expensive procedure that is a real deterrent to those seeking assistance. Speaking the client’s language can solve a lot of those problems.
Verifying Translation
Since English is the official language in the United States, all official court proceedings, depositions, etc. must be done in English with the use of an interpreter if needed. This is true even in cases where the attorneys on both sides and the judge all speak the same non-English language. However, in such cases there is still a benefit to being bilingual. That ability helps to ensure that the translation is being done accurately during such a proceeding. If there is a discrepancy, it can be addressed or clarified immediately to ensure the information on record is accurate.
If you need an attorney that speaks your language, contact the trial attorneys at the Goosmann Law Firm, PLC, in our Omaha, Sioux City, and Sioux Falls offices where we have attorneys who are fluent in both Spanish and French.