Key Terms and Concepts
Language Access: providing individuals who dominant, only, and/or primary language is something other than English reasonable and meaningful access to the same services as individuals who speak English; also refers to the laws and policies that guarantee people access to written, verbal, or visual materials or services in their preferred languages
Language Justice: a framework that respects every individual’s fundamental language rights—to be able to communicate, understand, and be understood in the language in which they prefer and feel most articulate and powerful; challenges the idea that English is the dominant language and highlights historical and current power dynamics; questions the notion that not speaking English is a deficiency and honors that speaking all languages is an important part of a community’s power