Language is Power: Our Obligation to Defend Dignity, Truth, and Freedom
- reenieb10
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
As violence and authoritarian posturing grip the United States with military parades glorifying nationalism, peaceful protestors branded as threats, and the lives of immigrants, journalists, and the LGBTQ+ community under siege, one truth rings clearer than ever: language professionals have a moral obligation to act.
The June 14th resurgence of coordinated No Kings protests across America—sparked by fears of creeping authoritarianism and in response to immigrant mistreatment and voter suppression—marks a turning point. The global language services industry cannot afford neutrality. Silence is complicity.
Why Language Services Hold the Line
The global language services industry isn’t simply about translation, interpretation, or localization—it’s about bridging worlds, defending access, and empowering voices that oppressive systems seek to erase.
🟣 When court interpreters are absent, due process is denied.
🟡 When immigrant children can’t understand their asylum proceedings, human rights are violated.
🟠 When misinformation is amplified in one language but countered in another, democracy suffers.
Key Statistics
🔹 Disparities in Language Access
25.7 million people in the U.S. are Limited English Proficient (LEP) (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023).
In immigration court, more than 40% of cases lack certified interpreters (American Immigration Council, 2022).
During COVID-19, critical public health information was delayed or never translated in over 50% of states (Urban Institute, 2021).
🔹 Rise in Hate and Authoritarian Rhetoric
Anti-immigrant hate crimes in the U.S. rose by 22% between 2020 and 2023 (FBI Hate Crime Statistics).
In 2024, 12 U.S. states passed or considered legislation restricting multilingual education and public services.
What LSPs Must Do Now
1. Take a Stand, Publicly
Issue statements defending multilingual access, inclusion, and the right to information.
2. Refuse Contracts That Harm
Turn down government or corporate contracts that silence dissent, mistreat immigrants, or promote disinformation.
3. Offer Pro Bono Services Where It Counts
Immigration courts, protest legal support, community aid—our voices belong there.
4. Invest in Ethics-Driven AI
AI in language services must enhance, not erase, human dignity. Prioritize fairness, transparency, and cultural sensitivity.
A Final Word: Our Silence is Their Silencing
Language is not neutral. It can liberate or oppress, inform or obscure, empower or erase. As members of the global language services industry, we are not bystanders—we are gatekeepers of access, equity, and understanding. When governments glorify violence, silence dissent, or strip away rights, we must not retreat behind the façade of neutrality.
We must speak up for ALL people—for the detained immigrant, the silenced protestor, the misinformed citizen, the voiceless child—for everyone. Our expertise is more than a service. It is a responsibility.
Let us face this challenge with courage.
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