Bilingual: A person who is fluent in two or more languages. Someone who is bilingual may be able to perform their own job in both languages, but they may not be trained or qualified to interpret or translate.

Qualified Interpreter/Translator: “An individual who has been assessed for professional skills, demonstrates a high level of proficiency in at least two languages, and has the appropriate training and experience to interpret with skill and accuracy while adhering to the National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.”11 This is different than a certified interpreter or translator, who has taken additional steps to meet the requirements and pass the exams of a certifying body for their specific profession (e.g. Certified Medical Interpreter or Certified Court Interpreter).

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

Translation: The process of adapting written text from one language to other language(s), with consistent and accurate meanings. A finished document should read as if it has originally been written in the target language for the target audience.

Interpretation: The process of adapting oral speech from one language to another, either simultaneously or delayed (consecutive), without loss or change in meaning. An interpreter must be competent and have knowledge in both languages of the relevant terms or concepts particular to the program or activity and the dialect and terminology used by the individual has limited english proficency. Interpreter competency requires more than self-identification as bilingual.