Translation Services Reinstated
The National Weather Service announced the resumption of translation services for non-English speakers, which had paused due to a contract lapse with the provider.
The service, provided by Lilt, an AI company, will return to offer translations in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Samoan by the end of the day Monday.
Importance and Context
Nearly 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home, highlighting the critical need for these translations during extreme weather events and for general forecasts.
The weather service’s parent agency, NOAA, has faced budget cuts, emphasizing the significance of maintaining these essential services despite financial challenges.