belongs rather than on individual merit.
Federally Assisted Program – All programs and operations of entities that receive assistance from the Federal government.
Interpretation – Listening to communication in one language and orally converting it to another language while retaining the same meaning.
Language Access – Efforts to make programs and services accessible to individuals who are not proficient in English.
Language Assistance Services – Interpretation or translation services that assist Limited English Proficient individuals in understanding or communicating in another language.
Limited English Proficiency Person – An individual who does not speak English as his or her primary language and has a limited ability to reason, speak, write, or understand English.
Translation – The process of transferring ideas expressed in writing from one language to another.
Translator – A person who converts language into an alternative form of communication so it is understandable to persons who communicate differently.
Vital Document – Paper or electronic written material that contains information that is critical for accessing a program or activity, or is required by law, such as consent forms, applications, and notices of rights.
The department will conduct an annual analysis of four factors, as outlined by the FSIS, to ensure LEP customers receive meaningful access to services across Montana. The four factors include:
According to ACS 2012, individuals five years of age and over who speak a language other than English at home or speak English less than very well [LVW] make up less than one percent of Montana's population (approximately 9,085 individuals).
The most prominent languages other than English, by order of frequency, include: Spanish, German, Chinese, French, Other Native American, and all other languages combined.
The Montana counties with the greatest populations of LEP or LVW individuals, by order of frequency, include: