California’s growing population of limited-English speaking Hispanic consumers will now find it easier to communicate with businesses and independently conduct their day-to-day affairs thanks to 1-877-TU-LINEA, Language Line Services’ telephone interpreter service dedicated to Spanish speakers. A companion to Your World. Your Language.SM, the first, free over-the-phone interpretation service launched by Language Line Services and AT&T, Inc., (NYSE:T) in October 2006, 1-877-TU-LINEA provides Hispanic limited-English speakers with telephone-based interpreters to access vital business services within their local metro areas.
“Imagine that you are a small business owner in Long Beach, and you want to apply for a loan to make investments in your business. You’d naturally prefer to conduct the transaction in Spanish to make sure everything is just right,” said Louis Provenzano, Language Line Services’ president and chief operating officer. “Until now, your options were very limited. But, today a whole new era of communication has opened up, thanks to Your World. Your Language.SM and 1-877-TU-LINEA.”
The success of Your World. Your Language.SM and the increasing number of requests for Spanish-speaking interpreters led to the creation of 1-877-TU-LINEA as an additional method of access to the system. By simply dialing 1-877-885-4632, limited-English speaking residents and tourists can talk in their own languages to a host of local and national banking, insurance, telephone, Internet, utility and entertainment businesses anytime at no charge.
“Limited-English speaking Hispanic residents in California will find that 1-877-TU-LINEA is a new way to get things done quickly, easily and independently,” added Provenzano. “Whether it is signing up for cable television, opening a bank account or getting a new cell phone, 1-877-TU-LINEA gives limited-English speakers more autonomy over their day-to-day affairs.”
When Spanish-speaking customers call 1-877-TU-LINEA, they will be greeted in Spanish and then asked to choose their preferred service. A Language Line Services’ Spanish interpreter will then connect the customer with the requested provider, and service is completed through a three-way conversation. Currently available in California, 1-877-TU-LINEA will be launched nationwide by the end of 2008.
"We are committed to making sure that we bring all communities together," said California State Assembly Speaker, Fabian Núñez. "With Your World. Your Language.SM and 1-877-TU-LINEA, we are knocking down barriers and uniting people in a way that has never before been accomplished. In doing so, we are strengthening our ability to be more competitive in the global marketplace."
Language Line Services developed the patent-pending technology that makes the 1-877-TU-LINEA component of Your World. Your Language.SM possible and provides specially-trained and experienced interpreters in 8 languages: Cantonese (Chinese), Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (Chinese), Russian, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese, with more World Partners being added soon. AT&T operates the network and is responsible for the routing of calls through 1-877-TU-LINEA.
“Your World. Your Language.SM service has received a very positive response,” said Jody Garcia, Vice President of AT&T Specialty Customer Care. “Over 57 percent of the calls received have resulted in sales, proving that this line is not only beneficial to consumers, but to businesses as well.”
Sample banking, credit card, insurance, health, telephone, utility, travel, transportation, city and social service organizations signed on to offer their services to California’s limited-English speakers through Your World. Your Language.SM include: 1-800-DENTIST®, AT&T, Cingular Wireless, Citibank, Dish Network and Orbitz. For more information about 1-877-TU-LINEA and Your World. Your Language.SM visit www.YourWorldYourLanguage.com.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.
About Language Line Services
Language Line Services, the world’s leading provider of language services, is recognized as a trusted partner to thousands of U.S. based organizations focusing their marketing efforts on the limited English speaking community, which is growing rapidly in both size and affluence. The company provides access to the telephone interpretation industry’s fastest service at highly competitive rates. It serves the language needs of all major sectors including government, health care, telecom, financial services and insurance by connecting them to customers, patients and sales prospects in over 170 languages. The growth of the industry has soared with increased immigration and government regulatory compliance policies mandating organizations provide services to limited English speakers in their own languages. For more information about Language Line Services’ suite of video and over-the-phone interpretation services, document translation, and bilingual testing and training please call 800-752-6096 or visit www.LanguageLine.com.
