San Diego doctors challenge free translation and interpreting

Eric Bakovic of Language Log, in ‘Translation and Free Speech’, links to a New York Times articleof August 31st:

bq. SAN DIEGO (AP) — Several doctors and a group supporting English as the nation’s official language filed a lawsuit Monday challenging a Clinton-era executive order requiring federally funded hospitals, clinics and doctors to offer translation services for patients who speak limited English.

bq. The plaintiffs said the order is an illegal intrusion into their practices and will further motivate doctors to restrict their services or leave the industry.

They also, mysteriously, claim transaltion and interpreting limits doctors’ freedom of speech.

Apparently ProEnglish and Colwell filed a similar lawsuit two years ago in Virginia, but it was dismissed for several reasons.

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