Each week we hear of another case of massive identity theft. Each one seems to affect a greater number of consumers.

Our interpreters and document translators are regularly reminded of just how important confidentiality is in our business dealings with nearly 20,000 Language Line Services clients.

Interpreters deal with customer' private information, including names, phone numbers, social security numbers and account numbers every day.

The very first item in the Language Line Services Code of Ethics is that "the interpreter shall respect all confidences received in the course of interpretation. "

All information gained by the Interpreter shall remain strictly confidential. This information shall not be communicated, published or in any way divulged to any organization or person, other than the organization or person engaging in the services of the Interpreter."

All Language Line interpreters have signed the Confidentiality and Non-disclosure Agreement, and a manager has reviewed The Code of Ethics with each of them annually.

Our interpreters keep all confidential information private and destroy the notes they take at the end of each day. Taking notes is one tool of a professional interpreter to be sure each party is provided complete information. But these notes have no value shortly after each call and are destroyed.

If you have a question about the training of our interpreters, jot down a note to newsletter@languageline.com and we'll get right back to you.

Have comments regarding this article? Share them with your fellow readers by writing to newsletter@languageline.com.

Here in the U.S. we have many words for "Hello".

Hi... Howdy... How-do-you-do... Yo... What's happening... etc. etc.

"Hello" is surely the first and most essential word in all languages.

It's the word that enables one human being to converse with another.

Here are some of the more unique phonetic ways our global neighbors say "hello":

• aa -- (Diola, Senegal)
• beeta -- (Soninke, Mali, Senegal and Ivory Coast)
• bok -- (Croatian)
• boozhoo -- (Ojibwe, USA and Canada)
• daw-daw -- (Jutlandish, Denmark)
• ella -- (Awabakal, Australia)
• i ay -- (Huaorani, Ecuador)
• khaumykhyghyz -- (Bashkir, Russia)
• nark -- (Phorhepecha, Mexico)
• ozhbash -- (Kurdi, Iraq and Iran)
• samba -- (Lega, Congo)
• wali-wali -- (Limbe, Sierra Leone)
• xawaxan -- (Toltichi Yokuts, California, USA)
• yoga -- (Ateso, Uganda)
• yoyo (Kwakiutl, Canada)

But it may not even be a word. In the Gibert Islands of the Pacific, arou pairi describes the process of rubbing noses in greeting.

For the Japanese, bowing is an important part of the process and a sign of respect: ojigi is the act of bowing; eshaku describes a slight bow (of about 15 degrees; kairei, a full bow (of about 45 degrees); while saikeirei is a very low, worshipful type of bow that involves the nose nearly touching the hands.

When one meets someone extremely important, one might even consider pekopeko, bowing one's head repeatedly in a fawning or groveling manner.

Reprinted by permission. Look for more intriguing words of the world in coming issues from these and other sources:

"The Meaning of Tingo: And Other"

"They Have a Word for It: A Lighthearted"

"In Other Words: A Language Lover's Guide to"

Why is English difficult to learn?

Because there are so many odd elements, exceptions, peculiar spellings, and strange pronunciations.

If English is your second language, you are no doubt aware of this fact!

Consider, for example:

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Quoted from an anonymous Internet source. Contributed by Craig Wandke, Language Line Services Spanish Interpreter Operations Manager.

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