| American Sign Language (ASL) | American Sign Language has the same linguistic properties as a spoken language. |
| Bilingual Staff | An employee who is proficient and fluent in English and also possesses the ability to read, write, and/or speak at the proficiency and fluency level required, as demonstrated through a validated language test(s) in at least one other language. For the most part, bilingual staff provide direct in-language communication in a language other than English (LOTE). |
| Communication Disability | A disability that affects a person’s ability to understand, receive, express, or exchange information through speech, writing, sign language, or other communication methods. |
| Consecutive Interpretation | A mode of interpretation that is commonly used in small-scale meetings. The consecutive interpreter waits for the speaker to finish a sentence or an idea, and then renders the speaker’s words into the target language. |
| Deaf/deaf (D/d) | Uppercase Deaf denotes a particular group of people who are deaf and share a language and a culture; lowercase deaf refers to the audiological condition of not hearing. An individual who is deaf or hard of hearing (D/HOH) may also have limited proficiency in spoken or written English and may not be proficient in ASL or any other recognized sign language. |
| Direct “In-Language” Communication | Monolingual communication in a language other than English between a multilingual staff and individuals with a preferred language other than English. For example, English to English, Spanish to Spanish, Hmong to Hmong, etc. |
| Effective Communication | For individuals with communication disabilities, it refers to aids and services that ensure communication with people with disabilities, such as those who are D/deaf or hard of hearing (D/d/HOH), is as effective as communication for people without disabilities. |
| Interpretation | The act of listening, understanding, analyzing, and processing a spoken communication in one language (source language) and then faithfully orally rendering it into another spoken language (target language) while retaining the same meaning. |
| Language Access Coordinator | Language access professional responsible for overseeing the DCDHS language access policy, plan, and procedures, and providing training and education to DCDHS staff, POS agencies, participants, and visitors concerning language access compliance. |
| Language Assistance Services | Services that encompass all oral and written language services needed to assist individuals with limited English skills to communicate effectively with staff, and to provide individuals who need language assistance services meaningful access to and an equal opportunity to participate fully in the programs and services. |
| Language Assistance Services | Services that encompass all oral and written language services needed to assist individuals with limited English skills to communicate effectively with staff, and to provide individuals who need language assistance services meaningful access to and an equal opportunity to participate fully in the programs and services. |
| Language Fluency | Refers to the smoothness and ease of speaking (and writing) a language. The flow of one’s speech is categorized into four broad levels: basic, conversational, professional, and native/bilingual fluency. |
| Language Fluency | Refers to the smoothness and ease of speaking (and writing) a language. The flow of one’s speech is categorized into four broad levels: basic, conversational, professional, and native/bilingual fluency. |
| Language Proficiency | Refers to a broader understanding and accurate use of the language, encompassing grammar, vocabulary, and the ability to convey complex and abstract ideas with precision in spontaneous and unrehearsed contexts. |
| Language Proficiency | Refers to a broader understanding and accurate use of the language, encompassing grammar, vocabulary, and the ability to convey complex and abstract ideas with precision in spontaneous and unrehearsed contexts. |
| Limited English Proficiency (LEP) | Designates individuals whose primary language is not English and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, and/or understand English. Individuals with LEP may be competent in certain types of communication (e.g., speaking or understanding), but still be LEP for other purposes (e.g., reading or writing). Similarly, LEP designations are context-specific. An individual may possess sufficient English language skills to function in one setting, but these skills may be insufficient in other situations. |
| Limited English Proficiency (LEP) | Designates individuals whose primary language is not English and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, and/or understand English. Individuals with LEP may be competent in certain types of communication (e.g., speaking or understanding), but still be LEP for other purposes (e.g., reading or writing). Similarly, LEP designations are context-specific. An individual may possess sufficient English language skills to function in one setting, but these skills may be insufficient in other situations. |
| Meaningful Access | Access that is neither unduly restricted nor unnecessarily delayed, and is equivalent to the access provided to English speaking individuals. |
| Meaningful Access | Access that is neither unduly restricted nor unnecessarily delayed, and is equivalent to the access provided to English speaking individuals. |
| Methods of Communication | People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing use a variety of ways to communicate. Some individuals rely on sign language interpreters or assistive listening devices, while others primarily use written messages. Many can speak even though they cannot hear. |
| Methods of Communication | People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing use a variety of ways to communicate. Some individuals rely on sign language interpreters or assistive listening devices, while others primarily use written messages. Many can speak even though they cannot hear. |
| National Origin | The state, country, or nation in which a person or his or her ancestors were born. An individual or his or her ancestor’s place of origin. Physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics of belonging to a national origin group. |
| National Origin | The state, country, or nation in which a person or his or her ancestors were born. An individual or his or her ancestor’s place of origin. Physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics of belonging to a national origin group. |
| Primary Language | The language in which an individual most effectively communicates when interacting with the Sheriff’s Office. An individual’s primary language may be a language variant. |
| Primary Language | The language in which an individual most effectively communicates when interacting with the Sheriff’s Office. An individual’s primary language may be a language variant. |
| Qualified Interpreter | An in-house or contracted interpreter who has been professionally trained and/or demonstrated competence to interpret through national certification or comparable testing and is authorized to interpret with the Dane County Department of Human Services. They can speak two or more languages with native-like proficiency. Qualified interpreters must also demonstrate knowledge of professional standards, adherence to the corresponding professional code of ethics, and familiarity with Dane County Human Services terminology. |
| Qualified Interpreter | An in-house or contracted interpreter who has been professionally trained and/or demonstrated competence to interpret through national certification or comparable testing and is authorized to interpret with the Dane County Department of Human Services. They can speak two or more languages with native-like proficiency. Qualified interpreters must also demonstrate knowledge of professional standards, adherence to the corresponding professional code of ethics, and familiarity with Dane County Human Services terminology. |
| Qualified Translator | An in-house or contracted translator who has been professionally trained and/or demonstrated competence to translate through national certification or comparable testing and is authorized to do so by the Dane County Department of Human Services Office. Qualified translators must also demonstrate knowledge of professional standards, adherence to the corresponding professional code of ethics, and familiarity with Dane County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement terminology. |
| Qualified Translator | An in-house or contracted translator who has been professionally trained and/or demonstrated competence to translate through national certification or comparable testing and is authorized to do so by the Dane County Department of Human Services Office. Qualified translators must also demonstrate knowledge of professional standards, adherence to the corresponding professional code of ethics, and familiarity with Dane County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement terminology. |
| Sight Translation | An on-the-spot, complete oral rendition of written text from the source language into the target language into spoken or signed language by an interpreter without a change in meaning based on a visual review of the original text or document. Sight translations may be provided only by interpreters. However, qualified bilingual personnel may explain the contents of a form or document to a person with LEP and/or a communication disability without purporting to sight translate the document. |
| Sight Translation | An on-the-spot, complete oral rendition of written text from the source language into the target language into spoken or signed language by an interpreter without a change in meaning based on a visual review of the original text or document. Sight translations may be provided only by interpreters. However, qualified bilingual personnel may explain the contents of a form or document to a person with LEP and/or a communication disability without purporting to sight translate the document. |
| Simultaneous Interpretation | A mode of interpretation commonly used in large-scale meetings, conferences, trainings, and presentations. A simultaneous interpreter listens to the speaker and interprets the message from the source language into the target language. One-way microphone systems are often used for settings that need simultaneous interpretation. |
| Simultaneous Interpretation | A mode of interpretation commonly used in large-scale meetings, conferences, trainings, and presentations. A simultaneous interpreter listens to the speaker and interprets the message from the source language into the target language. One-way microphone systems are often used for settings that need simultaneous interpretation. |
| Translation | The process of converting written text from a source language into an equivalent written text in a target language as fully and accurately as possible while maintaining the style, tone, and intent of the text, taking into account differences of culture and dialect. |
| Translation | The process of converting written text from a source language into an equivalent written text in a target language as fully and accurately as possible while maintaining the style, tone, and intent of the text, taking into account differences of culture and dialect. |
| Vital Documents | Paper or electronic written material that contains information that is critical for accessing DCDHS programs, services, or activities, or is required by law. Whether or not a document is vital is based upon the importance of the program, information, encounter, or service involved, and the consequence to individuals with LEP or a communication disability of the information being understood accurately. |
