Multilingual engagement and language access
Nearly one in five Marin residents is Hispanic, and a significant portion of the county's population speaks English less than very well.
Updated August 28, 2026 at 1:59 PM PDT
Two distinctions that matter
Translation is written. Documents, flyers, surveys, and materials converted from one language to another.
Interpretation is spoken. Live dialogue converted in real time. Different skills, different preparation, different logistics.
Interpretation lead times
Plan around these minimums. Rush requests are possible at additional cost. For the full request process, vendor contacts, and request forms, visit the Language Access Hub.
| Service | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| Over the phone interpretation | On demand, 24/7 |
| Video remote interpretation | On demand or scheduled |
| On-site consecutive interpretation | 72 hours |
| On-site simultaneous interpretation | 2 weeks; 3 weeks if equipment needed |
| Virtual simultaneous interpretation | 72 hours |
| ASL/CDI interpretation | See Language Access Hub |
| Document translation | Varies by length; submit early |
Required
- AI translation does not meet the county's language access obligations. Qualified human interpreters are required at engagement events.
- Language access costs and logistics must be built into the engagement plan before approval.
Best practice
- Language varies within a language. Spanish in the Canal may differ from Spanish in West Marin's agricultural communities. Interpreters familiar with the specific community are almost always more effective.
- Build a few minutes into the start of every multilingual meeting for a language access announcement. It signals that participants' language needs were anticipated, not addressed as an afterthought.