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THRESHOLD LANGUAGES

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WHAT ARE THRESHOLD LANGUAGES?

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Refers to any language spoken by individuals of the Language Other Than English population totalling 5% of the population or 1000 individuals, whichever is less, within the City of Boston.

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* From the Official Language and Communications Access Policy - City of Boston

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CITY-WIDE INTERACTIONS

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If the interaction is planned for citywide participation or is purposed to be accessible to constituents across all neighborhoods. Departments must include on advertisements or invitations, a notice in the City-wide threshold languages, informing people that they can request interpretation services in advance, and how. **For large citywide events with critical information, please connect with Disability Commission and OLCA for guidance.

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  1. Spanish (Latin American)
  2. Simplified Chinese
  3. Traditional Chinese
  4. Haitian Creole
  5. Vietnamese
  6. Cabo Verdean Creole

7. Portuguese (Brazilian)

8. Russian

9. Arabic (Standard)

10. French (European)

11. Somali

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NEIGHBORHOOD INTERACTIONS

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The City must provide translation for Neighborhood Threshold Languages and interpretation upon request.

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  • Allston Chinese
  • Back Bay none
  • Beacon Hill none
  • Brighton Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese
  • Charlestown none
  • Chinatown Chinese
  • Dorchester Spanish, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Cabo Verdean Creole
  • Downtown Chinese
  • East Boston Spanish
  • Fenway-Kenmore Chinese
  • Hyde Park Spanish, Haitian Creole

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  • Jamaica Plain Spanish
  • Mattapan Spanish, Haitian Creole
  • Mission Hill-Longwood Spanish
  • North End none
  • Roslindale Spanish
  • Roxbury Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cabo Verdean Creole
  • South Boston Spanish
  • South Boston Waterfront/Fort Point none
  • South End Spanish, Chinese
  • West End none
  • West Roxbury Haitian Creole