Key Terms & Definitions

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH)
Key Terms & Definitions

Effective dates: July 1, 2024

Key Terms & Definitions

  • American Sign Language (ASL): The sign language used in the USA and Canada.
  • Back translation: The translated document gets translated back into the source language by another translator. Both source and target language translations are compared to ensure content accuracy.
  • Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART): The creation of an instant record of spoken language into text format via the utilization of a stenotype machine, computer, or specialized software.
  • Departmental Language Access Plan (DLAP): This document establishes the minimum requirements for County departments to ensure that they strive to provide consistent, high-quality language access.
  • Face-to-Face Interpreter Service: DMH services that involve the physical presence of a language interpreter to facilitate oral language communication in real time.
  • Field testing: The translated document is reviewed by consumers/family/community members or bilingual staff to ensure accurate, culturally relevant meaning.
  • Interpreter (Oral): A speech-certified professional who orally converts and conveys messages from the source language to the target language.
  • Interpreter (Written): A certified professional who transcribes video or audio content into written format; also called Transcriptionists or Captioners.
  • Language Assistance Services: Language and communication-based supports including translation, interpreting, sign language, and CART services at no cost to consumers.
  • Languages Other Than English (LOTE): Refers to individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who do not read, write, or speak English fluently.
  • Limited English Proficient (LEP): A designation referring to consumers with limited English proficiency that may affect their ability to receive effective mental health care.
  • Non-spoken Language: Communication without words, such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language.
  • Non-Threshold Language: Languages not meeting threshold criteria defined by the state.
  • Oral Interpreter Service: Conversion of a message from an oral source language to an equivalent oral target language, in-person or remotely.
  • Primary or Preferred Language: The language identified by the beneficiary as most effective for communication. (9 CCR § 1810.410(a)(2))
  • Simultaneous Interpreter Service: Real-time interpreting of a speaker’s message while the speaker continues to talk; highly complex and often delivered via phone or video.
  • Source Language: The language in which a message is originally given.
  • Spoken Language: Oral communication using recognized words and grammatical structures.
  • Target Language: The language into which a message is translated or interpreted.
  • Tele Type Writer (TTY): A device for the deaf or speech-impaired that enables telephone communication through typed messages.
  • Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD): A device enabling text communication over phone lines for those with hearing or speech difficulties.
  • Telephonic Language Interpreter Service: Remote language interpreting via phone to overcome language barriers during conversations.
  • Threshold language: A language identified based on minimum population counts for Medi-Cal beneficiaries within a region; must be supported with translated materials and services.
  • Translation: Conversion of written text from the source language into the target language.