Bilingualism: Help or Hinder?

Do you speak Spanish?  Are you fluent or able to speak  just enough to talk to your older relatives?  Statistically speaking, younger generations may have less Spanish speaking capability than earlier generations.  It makes me sad to know that likely my (possible) grandchildren won’t know my native language.  Though, I am hopeful because I know there is now more knowledge and awareness  (and acceptance) about the benefits of being multilingual so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

But in the here and now, how are you using your Spanish skills?  When I first started interning in college, an attorney realized I knew Spanish and asked me to translate for him.  He made it a point to promise that he wouldn’t start to treat me as only the interpreter.   At that point, I was a junior in college and wanted to get as much as experience as possible so I didn’t hesitate to help.   Because of my language skills, which if I’m honest were not very strong at that point, I was able to interview clients on multiple occasions.  It was a great learning experiencing, and it allowed me to do more than most college students are able to do.

However, now that I know real interpreters should be used when communicating with clients, I cringe at the idea that though I benefited, it’s possible the clients didn’t.   Obviously, at that time I didn’t know what was ok and what wasn’t–the attorneys should have known better.  At the same time, I was eager to be helpful and to learn, it would have been hard to turn down the opportunity of direct client work.  Since then,  I’ve learned that there’s a thin line between providing quality services or questionable service under the guise of good intentions.  If you have the language skills, definitely use them, but make sure it’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Another obstacle can arise if your firm/coworker begins to view you as the default interpreter and not a legal professional.  It’s possible your supervisors or colleagues will decide it’s easier to ask you to translate rather than seeking out professional interpreters.  If it seems that you’re being given all the non-English speaking clients or are having to add random translations for coworkers into your work day; then I think it’s imperative to speak up and make a change.   Working with clients who have limited English proficiency can be overwhelming and limiting.  It’s not ok for you to limit your practice just because taking advantage of your language skills makes things easier for management or colleagues.

I believe a good approach is to highlight and use your skills, but use it in a way that benefits the client and also grows your career.  Most importantly, set limits as to how much you want to do!  Bilingualism is a highly valuable skill, and it’s important to learn how to use that skill to your advantage rather than letting others take advantage of it.