Arabic-Speaking Immigrants in Ohio and California

[Tania Zucker]

States like California and New York are well-known for their large populations of immigrants from the Middle East. Companies in California that translate Arabic-language documents into English primarily cater to this segment of the population. Traditionally, states like Ohio have been less associated with growing figures of Arabic-speakers. Now the rise in the demand for Arabic translation services in cities like Akron and Cleveland reflect the growing population of immigrants from the region, especially Iraq. Firms in those states that provide language translation and interpretation services are pressured into adding Arabic to their list of offerings. Translators who are skilled in professional translation for Arabic have been crucial in the translations of their documents for immigration purposes. The USCIS requires all foreign-language documents to be accompanied by their certified translations. If immigrants in Los Angeles, for example, cannot obtain certified Arabic translations, they cannot complete their applications for U.S. residency. Therefore, it is clear that their need for Arabic translation services has to be met before such immigrants can submit their application to the immigration office. In addition, the recent immigration of people from the Middle East has pushed law enforcement, hospitals, and public agencies to book the services of Arabic translators. The presence of many native Arabic-speakers creates the need for the translation of forms and applications from English into Arabic. Translators who provide Arabic translation service for such documents also may also be asked to translate in-person. Foreign-born residents often feel that filling out forms and applications is confusing and cumbersome. They require a translator’s assistance to complete the documents. Professional Arabic translation plays a key role for such individuals as they would not be able to communicate with hospital staff and immigrant officials in the absence of translations services. Hospitals in the state call upon translators for many patients who are not proficient in the English language. Language gaps are unwanted in the medical field and with the USCIS. Misunderstandings or inaccurate translations of the doctors’ diagnoses can prove to be fatal in a hospital or a doctor’s office. Likewise, immigration applicants can be denied permanent residency if the Arabic-language documents are not translated properly. Thus, any document or verbal statement has to be translated correctly from and into Arabic. Medical offices in California that do not have their own multilingual staff often depend on translators from local companies when they need Arabic translation and interpretation services for a patient. While they take non-native speakers they always prefer someone who possesses advanced knowledge of the language and the client’s culture. Central Ohio is home to a growth-driven population of Middle Eastern refugees. Since it takes time for them to master the English language and adjust to the American culture public organizations seek Arabic translation services to accommodate their language needs.