Editor's Note: While searching for a language and/or culturally related site for you this month, we came across a page that caught our eye.

If you're familiar with eHow.com you know that it is a very popular Internet site where every day folks like you and us ask and answer questions about all kinds of topics.

This brief article is from an anonymous, presumably foreign-born writer explaining how to understand Americans and American culture.

It is an interesting peek at how at least one "foreigner" -- and how many of the patients we help care for -- see us. We think you'll enjoy it, particularly our readers in New York City. ;-)

Excerpts from "How to Understand Basic American Culture -- for Foreign Visitors"

United States of America is a vast country with a diverse population. The culture of America has been shaped by a variety of forces and by the cultures of a great many countries and regions around the world.

While America is very diverse, there are still some key traits shared by nearly all Americans. If you follow these tips you should be able to better understand Americans and better enjoy your stay in America.

• Things You'll Need: 1. Common sense; and 2. An open mind.


• Personal Space: Americans do not like people that they do not know being too physically close to them.


• American Friendliness: Americans tend to be very friendly on both a superficial and a genuine level. However, there are some subtleties to interacting with Americans that should be remembered in order to avoid awkward situations.


• Conversation: Americans love to talk and generally it is OK to talk even to strangers about nearly any subject at any time as long as you are polite. However there are some subjects, like racism, American foreign policy, gun ownership, and religion that are best discussed among friends.


• Common Courtesy and Social Etiquette: when it comes to most social situations Americans firmly believe in the concept that "all people are created equal". In most social situations Americans believe that no one has the right to special privileges, it's nearly always "first come first served", no exceptions.


• American Women: The most important thing to remember about American women is that they are equal citizens with men in this country. They are as free as men to live, work, dress, talk, and act as they please.


• New York City: While nearly all the things described above are true for nearly everywhere else in America, some things are different in New York City, especially regarding people's personal space. As a rule, it's best to treat New York City as a special case, and "do as the Romans do" by simply watching how other people act in a given social situation and imitate them.

To read the rest of this eHow.com article, "How to Understand Basic American Culture -- for Foreign Visitors", click here >>

HuffingtonPost.com - More than 24 million U.S. residents speak a language other than English or have trouble communicating clearly without resorting to their native tongues.

The new health care plan being debated in Congress promises to bring millions more of these legal immigrants into a system already struggling to communicate with patients in their languages to assure they get the life-saving care they need.

Is the health care system ready for more immigrants, even if they are here legally?

Why should we embrace any language other than English anyway? Isn't this America?

Given the burgeoning Hispanic population, Spanish is an obvious second language to English and is spoken throughout the health care system in the United States.

Still, the more obscure of the 176-plus languages and various dialects used in doctors' offices, at clinics, even in emergency rooms when timely attention matters most, often create the most opportunity for patient harm. Some of these patients are underprivileged, but many are not.

Research shows that limited English-proficient (LEP) speakers come from all ages and income brackets.

The most pressing language needs might surprise you since you've likely never heard of many of them:

• Arlington, Virginia, needs Krio interpreters (the language of Sierra Leone, Africa);


• Denver needs Karen speakers (spoken in Myanmar, formerly Burma);


• Seattle needs Oromo (Ethiopia); and


• Phoenix needs Dari (Afghanistan).

Federal law obligates health care providers receiving government funding to ensure language access to LEP individuals who cannot tell their doctor what hurts, but that hasn't always been enough to ensure full adoption and save lives.

Without guidance or consistent enforcement, hospitals and other medical facilities have responded to the federal language access requirement in dramatically different ways...

Read the rest of this HuffingtonPost.com article by Louis Provenzano, President of Language Line Services, here >>

It was bound to happen.

An Apple iPhone application that allows you to contact an interpreter anywhere your phone has reception.

Last week Language Line Services introduced its first iPhone application, the Mobile Interpreter. If you travel often, or have new friends or business contacts who speak little if any English...

The Language LineŽ Mobile Interpreter has been designed specifically for you.

This is the first-ever iPhone application that allows for unlimited, uninterrupted live interpretation assistance, anytime, from anywhere your iPhone has reception.

Without the hassle of reloading phone company calling cards or signing long-term contracts!

Want to learn more? Visit the Mobile Interpreter's page on our website here and download it.

Within seconds you'll have access to interpreters in our 10 most requested languages... as well as be able to locate and listen to useful phrases within such travel categories as: conversation, customs & immigration, hotels, medical, money, shopping, transportation and others.

Here's what market research firm Common Sense Advisory says about the new Language LineŽ Mobile Interpreter:

"Language Line's new iPhone application is one of the most important innovations in the field of telephone interpreting in recent years. Bringing on-demand interpretation to the hands of more consumers is an important step toward expanding language access. The demand for these services is not going away anytime soon."

Common Sense Advisory's www.GlobalWatchtower.com

Once again, here's where you can download "Mobile Interpreter" for your Apple iPhone.

PS: More languages are on their way and, for those of you with Blackberry Smart Phones, we'll soon have a version of Mobile Interpreter for you as well.

As a Language Line Services client, you have access to a variety of training tools that help you communicate with your limited English-speaking patients.

Some we've designed to train your staff on how to access and efficiently work with medically trained interpreters.

Others are designed to let your limited English speaking patients and family members know they are valued and will be served by an interpreter.

The Language Line Phone is one of the latter group. And perhaps the most versatile.

Soon we'll have a brand new Language Line Phone for you and your customers. Next month we'll have a picture of the new phone for you to see.

For now though, we can tell you about its many new features and benefits, including:

• Anti-microbial protection
• Duplexing speaker phone
• Speaker phone volume control
• Improved keypad design for faster interpreter access
• Headset ready
• Individual handset volume controls
• Anti-theft security tab
• Improved ergonomics, and
• Larger visual call notification indicator

If you are a Language Line Services customer, you can pre-order the new Language Line LL-2100 Phones today by completing the form here >>

• Hear presentations on latest national lobbying updates
• Receive training on how to advocate
• Be the voice of the LEP patient in Washington, DC
• Come with us to your Senators and Representatives offices, we need you!

Attention! Providers, State Representatives, Interpreters, Associations, Trainers, Educators & other stakeholders. Register now to ensure a seat.

This year's May 1st Forum was full capacity! There is NO FEE to attend this important annual, multi-stakeholder event.

Register now!

Selected News of the Month

• HuffingtonPost.com: "Language Interpretation Services in Health Care Industry Reach Tipping Point in 2010"


• The International Medical Interpreters Association Bestows the Raquel Cashman Language Access Award to Language Line Services


• Language Line Services Introduces New iPhone Application for Consumers. Leading Interpretation Provider Launches Language LineŽ Mobile Interpreter, First Apple iPhone App with On-Demand, Unlimited Access to Live Interpreters in 10 languages

Read more Language Line Services news here >>

Language Line Services, the leader in language interpretation, is seeking to increase its interpreter team in many languages including:

• Chru
• Edo
• Garre
• Kotokoli
• Kpelle
• Mam
• Mixteco
• Trique
• Punu
• Putian
• Sango
• Sinhalese
• Uzbeq

Among other positions, here is a selection of positions for which we are interviewing:

• Project Manager- Lingo Systems Division
• Customer Contract Salesforce.com Administrator
• Senior Language Specialist-Mandarin
• Senior Language Specialist-Spanish
• Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains Financial Systems Administrator

Please apply at: www.languageline.com/careers. Click on "Apply Today" under "Corporate Careers" and follow the directions to add your profile.

EEO/AA Employer

Are you interested in becoming an over-the-phone interpreter?

If you have excellent proficiency in English, with strong listening and comprehension skills as well as good customer service skills, you can become an interpreter for Language Line Services.

Visit www.languageline.com/careers.

View the "How to Become an Interpreter" Video.

Then, click on "Apply Today" under "interpreter Careers" OR "Corporate Careers" and follow the directions.

Here's what one valued client recently said about one of Language Line Services' excellent interpreters:

"...interpreter #6100 for Farsi was fantastic... We had a very difficult client that your interpreter made so easy for me. Thank you..."

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A holiday quote from the poet John Greenleaf Whittier.

Where you see "Christmas", please insert the holiday of your choice.

Everyone here at Language Lines Services and "In Other Words" wishes you and your family a very happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous new year.

Cheers!