Translation Models Empowering Immigrant Workforce Integration in the US Policy and Economic Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1702.16Keywords:
employment, immigrant, integration, labor, supportsAbstract
This study examines a critical deficiency in the literature regarding the effects of diminished government translation services on the assimilation of immigrants with limited English proficiency (LEP) into the U.S. labor market while simultaneously assessing the efficacy of alternative, scalable translation models. While previous studies have identified language barriers as impediments to labor market engagement, empirical information assessing both policy reductions and the relative efficacy of professional, AI-assisted, and hybrid translation methods is scarce. The study employs a mixed-methods design, incorporating surveys from 150 LEP immigrants alongside interviews with 50 employers and 20 translation service providers in various linguistically diverse U.S. cities. It integrates quantitative analysis using SPSS Version 28 and qualitative thematic coding via NVivo 14 to deliver a comprehensive understanding. Research demonstrates that professional and hybrid human–AI translation services significantly enhance employment alignment, retention, and workplace satisfaction, with hybrid models attaining up to 40% greater accuracy in job placement and 20% higher retention rates, thereby illustrating their superior effectiveness compared to conventional methods. Conversely, cuts to governmental translation services intensify employment gaps, dependence on informal translation, and systemic injustices. This research is innovative due to its comparative, multi-model evaluation inside a singular labor market scenario, providing strong empirical evidence that was previously inaccessible. The study theoretically extends workforce integration and social inclusion frameworks to include language access mechanisms and practically offers policymakers, workforce agencies, and employers culturally sensitive, scalable strategies that improve immigrant integration, foster equitable labor market participation, and reduce structural inequalities.
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