The Spanish Question

[doctorwho]

I've heard reputable rumors that a separate list is going to be issued for "Spanish" as a special qualification. Did anybody check fluency in "Spanish" out there?

[texasatty]

yes

[jagghagg]

Wouldn't that be "Si" ?

[lark]

"Yo hablo espaniol tambien" (sorry, can't get the accent on this computer).
Maria

[aljsouth]

jagghagg said:

Wouldn't that be "Si" ?

No, es sí

[aljsouth]

lark said:

"Yo hablo espaniol tambien" (sorry, can't get the accent on this computer).
Maria

Off topic, sorry, but Try this.


These are a little tricky: Hold down the ALT key, and
while holding down the alt key, type in the three (or
four) digit number using the numeric keypad on the
right hand side of the keyboard. After typing in the
three (or four) digit number, release the ALT key

á: ALT + 160
Á: ALT + 0193
é: ALT + 130
É: ALT + 144
í: ALT + 161
Í: ALT + 0205
ó: ALT + 162
Ó: ALT + 0211
ú: ALT + 163
Ú: ALT + 0218
ñ: ALT + 164
Ñ: ALT + 165
ü: ALT + 0252
Ü: ALT + 0220
¿: ALT + 168
¡: ALT + 173

If you are on a laptop without numeric pad don't use the top row. Most laptops have a fn key and small blue numbers (look at O which has a 6 and K has a two). Hold down the fn and the alt and push the blue number.

[calalj]

Si, yo hablo Espanol tambien. I received an inquiry for West Los Angeles. LA County is 50 % Sapnish speaking, but I don't think my Spanish fluency was a factor in the inquiry. At least not yet.

[kingfisher]

I do not know if there is a separate "Spanish" only list.

I can tell you that a few years back, the Miami office specifically needed a Spanish speaking ALJ. The locations list stated that the interview for that office was going to be held entirely in Spanish, and if you were not fluent you need not apply for that location.

Did any of the locations on the list have "spanish" noted?

[aljsouth]

They started this list for Puerto Rico a few years ago. When I went through in 01 SSA did not inquire about spanish and most judges assigned worked their way off the island. I don't believe any other site is included.

I really don't know if there is a seperate list, but I do know they try to place judges who speak spanish there.

[doctorwho]

kingfisher said:

I do not know if there is a separate "Spanish" only list.

I can tell you that a few years back, the Miami office specifically needed a Spanish speaking ALJ. The locations list stated that the interview for that office was going to be held entirely in Spanish, and if you were not fluent you need not apply for that location.

Did any of the locations on the list have "spanish" noted?

I have been told by the helpful people at SSA (absolutely no irony intended, they are indeed very helpful) that a separate Spanish language cert is coming out in the next week or so. I have no idea what city(ies) will be listed.

[yogibear]

Doctorwho, I was also told that SSA asked for/will ask for a special certification of names with fluency in Spanish from OPM next. I was told not just get by in Spanish, but one needs to be fluent enough to read, write and conduct a hearing in Spanish without any interpreters. I don't know if they will use that Cert only for Puerto Rico, or use it for other heavily Spanish communities. My guess is Puerto Rico definitely and maybe some of the larger cities with large Spanish speaking populations, like Miami, Texas (?) and California. I'm curious, though. If someone is on that cert. could they let us know what cities were included? Thanks, Yogi

[calalj]

I don't understand how they expect hearings to be conducted in Spanish when English continues to be the official language in the U.S. (last I checked.) Is there a code or regulation that allows it for SSA? I take it there is no court reporter. Does the judge have to take an oath or otherwise receive certification that they are fluent? I am expressly forbidden from conducting hearings in Spanish at my agency, even if counsel, the claimant and I are fluent.

[doctorwho]

calalj said:

I don't understand how they expect hearings to be conducted in Spanish when English continues to be the official language in the U.S. (last I checked.) Is there a code or regulation that allows it for SSA? I take it there is no court reporter. Does the judge have to take an oath or otherwise receive certification that they are fluent? I am expressly forbidden from conducting hearings in Spanish at my agency, even if counsel, the claimant and I are fluent.

I know nothing about hearings in any of the "50," but, in Puerto Rico, the hearings are conducted in Spanish. As for fluency, I know that there is an interview that is conducted in Spanish.

[yogibear]

Fluent enough to conduct in Spanish. That was the answer I got, when I asked. I don't know if they have ever conducted a hearing in Spanish, if it's precluded by law or regulation or allowed. I think that is a good question to ask.

[aljsouth]

yogibear said:

Fluent enough to conduct in Spanish. That was the answer I got, when I asked. I don't know if they have ever conducted a hearing in Spanish, if it's precluded by law or regulation or allowed. I think that is a good question to ask.

Not at all precluded by any law. The whole thing has to be translated for the Appeals Council.

BTW, someone posted about an official language. I was not aware there is an official language of the U.S. I don't think there is one.

[calalj]

Our state Administrative Procedures Act (aka Government Code) has a specific provision stating that administrative hearings subject to Chapter 4, 4.5 and 5 are to be conducted in English, and Claimants may request an interpreter. I don't know anything about the federal APA, but I don't know why it wouldn't have a similar provision.

[doctorwho]

calalj said:

Our state Administrative Procedures Act (aka Government Code) has a specific provision stating that administrative hearings subject to Chapter 4, 4.5 and 5 are to be conducted in English, and Claimants may request an interpreter. I don't know anything about the federal APA, but I don't know why it wouldn't have a similar provision.

It does not.