http://www.hispanictips.com A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos Fri, 16 May 2008 15:43:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 en http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/16/go-on-use-english-or-spanglish-its-ok/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/16/go-on-use-english-or-spanglish-its-ok/#comments Fri, 16 May 2008 15:16:11 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/16/go-on-use-english-or-spanglish-its-ok/ "A few weeks ago, the U.S. Census Bureau released updated data on the size and makeup of the U.S. Hispanic population. The statistics show that this demographic now comprises more than 45 million consumers. The magnitude of the number speaks for itself, but what concerns me is the idea of falling short on the promise that is made to existing and prospective clients.

Obviously, the rationale behind targeting Hispanics is to tap into this treasure trove of 45 million consumers with incredible buying power. Yet, when one looks at the strategies and programs that are planned and executed against the segment, they fall short on their ability to reach all 45 million. It seems to me that this is because of how the market has always been perceived, thought about and, most important, sold. " HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/16/go-on-use-english-or-spanglish-its-ok/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/15/bidzcom-inc-launches-spanish-language-version-of-its-popular-online-auction-site/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/15/bidzcom-inc-launches-spanish-language-version-of-its-popular-online-auction-site/#comments Thu, 15 May 2008 19:09:31 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/15/bidzcom-inc-launches-spanish-language-version-of-its-popular-online-auction-site/ "Bidz.com (NASDAQ:BIDZ), a leading online auctioneer of jewelry, announced today the launch of a complete Spanish-language version of its online auction site, Bidz.com. This version of the Web site can be accessed by clicking the "En Espanol" ("In Spanish") link on the Company’s homepage, www.bidz.com. The Company has also hired Spanish speaking customer service personnel to better assist their new clientele.

The Spanish-Language site is geared to Spanish-speakers, whether they are in the U.S. or other countries. Bidz.com already derives 24% of its revenue from outside the U.S., and international revenue grew 60% in the first quarter of 2008. The Spanish-language site will be the first in a series of non-English sites, which will seek to tap into the auction site’s attractiveness around the world. The company, which grew revenues 38.5% in the first quarter of 2008, sells on average over 12,000 items a day, making it one of the most visited jewelry sites on the Web. Bidz.com recently launched an online retail store with fixed prices, Buyz.com.

“Our exciting auction format delivers unsurpassed value to consumers, and we believe that by making the site available in other languages, beginning with Spanish, we’ll bring our service to new audiences around the world,” said David Zinberg, Chief Executive Officer of Bidz.com. “We believe that these sites can be a tremendous growth opportunity for the Company.”

" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/15/bidzcom-inc-launches-spanish-language-version-of-its-popular-online-auction-site/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/spanish-language-plays-role-in-police-officer-training-waco-texas/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/spanish-language-plays-role-in-police-officer-training-waco-texas/#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 17:35:56 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/spanish-language-plays-role-in-police-officer-training-waco-texas/ "As part of basic training, the state requires all Texas officer candidates to take 16 hours of a Spanish class designed for law enforcement. Cadets learn the basic Spanish needed for traffic stops, arrests and most importantly, they learn words that would signal someone has a weapon.

McLennan Community College Law Enforcement Academy, which offers officer training twice a year, includes Spanish classes in each session. The Spanish class is taught by Connie Best, an investigator with the Hillsboro Police Department.

Through class instruction, roleplay scenarios and games designed to aid in retention, cadets learn basic language skills.

" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/spanish-language-plays-role-in-police-officer-training-waco-texas/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/think-progress-%c2%bb-mccain-ad-contains-dubious-spanish-translation-on-new-immigration-policies/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/think-progress-%c2%bb-mccain-ad-contains-dubious-spanish-translation-on-new-immigration-policies/#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 16:24:56 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/think-progress-%c2%bb-mccain-ad-contains-dubious-spanish-translation-on-new-immigration-policies/ "Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) latest effort to have it both ways on immgration is illustrated in a new English narrated Spanish-language ad. In the ad, McCain touts “pro-innovation immigration policies” in English (a move to seemingly appease the right wing base), but the Spanish text that appears simultaneous to that declaration trumpets “Immigration Policy Innovation,” a term that makes it sound like he supports comprehensive immigration reform." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/think-progress-%c2%bb-mccain-ad-contains-dubious-spanish-translation-on-new-immigration-policies/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/did-you-know-mccain-voted-for-a-proposal-to-make-english-the-national-language-in-2006/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/did-you-know-mccain-voted-for-a-proposal-to-make-english-the-national-language-in-2006/#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 15:36:20 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/did-you-know-mccain-voted-for-a-proposal-to-make-english-the-national-language-in-2006/ "he voted for a proposal to make English the national language?" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/did-you-know-mccain-voted-for-a-proposal-to-make-english-the-national-language-in-2006/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/bilingual-trailblazers-head-to-high-school-edwards-elementary-school%e2%80%99s-first-dual-language-class-prepares-for-high-school-colorado/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/bilingual-trailblazers-head-to-high-school-edwards-elementary-school%e2%80%99s-first-dual-language-class-prepares-for-high-school-colorado/#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 14:58:11 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/bilingual-trailblazers-head-to-high-school-edwards-elementary-school%e2%80%99s-first-dual-language-class-prepares-for-high-school-colorado/ "It’s striking to hear a room full of eighth graders talk about the Louisiana Purchase and the War of 1812 in fluent, unbroken Spanish.

The non-bilingual ear could pick out names, like Lewis and Clark, and simple Spanish phrases, but the rest would be a mystery. Not a word of English is spoken in this lesson, except for maybe a whispered joke between a couple students. It’s the sort of conversation you’d expect to hear in a college level Spanish-history course.

Most of these students in the Berry Creek Middle School dual-language class have been in the same class together since second grade — and many have been together since kindergarten. " HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/12/bilingual-trailblazers-head-to-high-school-edwards-elementary-school%e2%80%99s-first-dual-language-class-prepares-for-high-school-colorado/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/09/did-you-know-the-majority-55-of-all-hispanic-women-report-that-they-speak-only-english-in-their-home-or-that-they-speak-english-very-well-most-of-these-english-speakers-are-native-born-seven-in-t/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/09/did-you-know-the-majority-55-of-all-hispanic-women-report-that-they-speak-only-english-in-their-home-or-that-they-speak-english-very-well-most-of-these-english-speakers-are-native-born-seven-in-t/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 13:05:51 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/09/did-you-know-the-majority-55-of-all-hispanic-women-report-that-they-speak-only-english-in-their-home-or-that-they-speak-english-very-well-most-of-these-english-speakers-are-native-born-seven-in-t/ "" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/09/did-you-know-the-majority-55-of-all-hispanic-women-report-that-they-speak-only-english-in-their-home-or-that-they-speak-english-very-well-most-of-these-english-speakers-are-native-born-seven-in-t/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/08/spanish-becomes-a-valuable-tool-in-career-for-the-north-carolina-real-estate-agent/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/08/spanish-becomes-a-valuable-tool-in-career-for-the-north-carolina-real-estate-agent/#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 16:09:33 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/08/spanish-becomes-a-valuable-tool-in-career-for-the-north-carolina-real-estate-agent/ "Now an agent with Keller Williams Realty in Kernersville, Peregrina has found that being bilingual has paid off, but in ways he never imagined. How many Realtors can explain fideicomiso, or escrow, in Spanish? For his Spanish-speaking clients, Peregrina has become as much of an educator as he is a real-estate agent.

"It can be a very confusing process. Like adjustable-rate mortgages really confused a lot of people, and agents had to use young children to translate during the complicated process of buying house," Peregrina said.

He noted that in the Mexican culture most people do not go into debt to buy their homes. They start to build their houses and then stop until they get the money to complete the construction process, sometimes taking two to three years to finish." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/08/spanish-becomes-a-valuable-tool-in-career-for-the-north-carolina-real-estate-agent/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/08/pair-of-commissions-urge-rejection-of-english-only-law-ohio/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/08/pair-of-commissions-urge-rejection-of-english-only-law-ohio/#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 16:07:34 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/08/pair-of-commissions-urge-rejection-of-english-only-law-ohio/ "Representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union and the state's Latino Affairs Commission urged lawmakers to quash legislation that would require public agencies to conduct business and keep records in English.

The bill, they said, is unnecessary, threatens civil and human rights of non-English-speaking citizens and would deter residents from learning other languages.

"The denial of services to American citizens with limited English proficiency is already happening," said Ezra C. Escudero, director of the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission, which advises the governor and lawmakers on issues facing Hispanic residents. "... There is no need for English only legislation like House Bill 477. State agencies are already in compliance with its proposals, and the vast majority of Ohioans only speak English."" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/08/pair-of-commissions-urge-rejection-of-english-only-law-ohio/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-arizona-launches-hispanic-marketing-campaign/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-arizona-launches-hispanic-marketing-campaign/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 16:58:28 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-arizona-launches-hispanic-marketing-campaign/ "Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), the state’s largest locally based health insurance provider, today launched its first full-scale multicultural marketing campaign targeting Arizona Hispanics.

The campaign targets Hispanics through television, radio and print advertisements, as well as a series of “webisodes” designed to appeal to younger audiences.

The Hispanic population in Arizona numbers approximately 1.8 million, accounting for almost 30% of the state’s general population. According to BCBSAZ 2007 market research, approximately half a million -- or 25% -- of Arizona’s Hispanics lack health insurance.

“By building greater awareness of the health care products, services and networks we provide, we have an opportunity to inform Hispanic consumers about their health care choices and how to take action,” said Vicki McDonald, vice president of marketing, BCBSAZ. “The campaign communicates a compelling and targeted message that speaks to this market through creative messaging and imagery.”

The six webisodes featured in the campaign are intended to more effectively target younger consumers. The cleverly written and produced video vignettes feature five energetic and interesting personas – Paulina, Teresa, Carlos, Claudia and Javier. Each persona represents a key segment of the target market and can be viewed in both English and Spanish.

“We’re particularly excited about this rollout since this is the first time Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has used virtual marketing specifically for a bilingual audience,” said McDonald.

The webisodes can be viewed at:

* www.azblue.com/webisode
* www.youtube.com/azblueteresa
* www.myspace.com/azblueteresa

BCBSAZ is supporting the webisodes with print and broadcast ads on both Spanish and general market media. The company also will use direct mail marketing.

“Our goal is to help Arizona’s Hispanics make informed decisions about their health care and insurance options,” said Richard L. Boals, president and CEO, BCBSAZ. “Currently, less than half of Arizona Hispanics have private health insurance, and we’d like to see that figure increase to 100 percent.”

" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-arizona-launches-hispanic-marketing-campaign/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/california-beaches-to-get-1900-safety-signs-in-english-and-spanish/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/california-beaches-to-get-1900-safety-signs-in-english-and-spanish/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 16:39:59 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/california-beaches-to-get-1900-safety-signs-in-english-and-spanish/ "California's beach goers soon will learn about rip tides and other dangers en Espanol as well as English when 1,900 educational signs sprout on public access points along the coast.

The signs, planned to go up over the next few months, will alert visitors to potential dangers along the shore." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/california-beaches-to-get-1900-safety-signs-in-english-and-spanish/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/zions-bank-launches-spanish-version-of-web-site/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/zions-bank-launches-spanish-version-of-web-site/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 15:04:20 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/zions-bank-launches-spanish-version-of-web-site/ "Zions Bank today announced the launch of a Spanish language version of its Internet site, http://www.zionsbank.com/espanol. The Web site is targeted at the growing number of Latinos making financial transactions online. Nationally, 76 percent of bilingual Latinos use the Internet, according to a 2007 report by the Pew Hispanic Center. Other studies indicate Hispanic entry into the online marketplace is outpacing that of the general market. " HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/zions-bank-launches-spanish-version-of-web-site/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/for-mccain-spanish-news-is-old-news/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/for-mccain-spanish-news-is-old-news/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 14:54:34 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/for-mccain-spanish-news-is-old-news/ "Sen. John McCain today announced his Spanish-language campaign Web site, http://www.johnmccain.com/espanol/, in honor of Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday commemorating an 1862 battle. But it appears news only happens in English -- the most recent posting under his news section is from April 16. The English-language site, by contrast, has dozens of news items since April 16.


McCain%20screen%20shot.jpg

And while the video on the main screen showing McCain's biographical commercial has Spanish subtitles, clicking on the link "La historia de un gran heroe Americano que esta listo para ser nuestro lider" takes you to an English-language version instead.


The McCain campaign says the Spanish-language site will "feature regular updates in Spanish throughout the election."" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/for-mccain-spanish-news-is-old-news/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/05/dorel-juvenile-group-usa-launches-espanolsafety1stcom/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/05/dorel-juvenile-group-usa-launches-espanolsafety1stcom/#comments Mon, 05 May 2008 16:22:13 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/05/dorel-juvenile-group-usa-launches-espanolsafety1stcom/ "Dorel Juvenile Group USA (DJG USA), a division of Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B DII.A), the nation’s largest juvenile products manufacturer and the maker of Safety 1st® brand products, is launching a Spanish-language version of its Safety 1st Web site on May 5. Espanol.safety1st.com boasts all of the exciting features of the English-language site, safety1st.com, including:

* Easy-to-find product searching in four categories: Child Care (including bathtubs and accessories, high chairs, and health items) Home Safety (including childproofing items and monitors), Play & Relax (including bouncers, play yards and swings) and Travel (including car seats and strollers). Products are also searchable by age, room and collection.
* Tools such as a car seat selector to determine which type of car seat is best for your child, a room-by-room childproofing guide, a how-to childproofing video and a state-by-state map of booster seat legislation that shows parents requirements by age, height and/or weight.
* Access to the Safety 1st Community, including a “Share Your 1st” Bulletin Board where parents can post photos of their child’s firsts and a “Wish List” where parents can share with friends and family which Safety 1st products they like.

“We are pleased to be able to serve our Spanish-speaking customers on the Safety 1st Web site,” said Dave Taylor, President and CEO of DJG USA. “We welcome them to our online community and look forward to sharing many ‘1st’s’ together.”

In addition to Safety 1st, DJG USA designs and distributes products under the Cosco® Juvenile, Quinny®, Maxi-Cosi® and Eddie Bauer®-licensed brands, and will also offer Spanish-language versions of some of those sites, including espanol.djgusa.com, espanol.coscojuvenile.com and espanol-eddiebauer.djgusa.com." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/05/dorel-juvenile-group-usa-launches-espanolsafety1stcom/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/05/schools-help-students-with-language-barriers-butler-county-ohio/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/05/schools-help-students-with-language-barriers-butler-county-ohio/#comments Mon, 05 May 2008 14:14:30 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/05/schools-help-students-with-language-barriers-butler-county-ohio/ "He is one of about 8,000 immigrants of Hispanic or Latino origin who reside in Butler County. The group is one of the largest growing minorities here. At Van Buren, nearly 90 of the 425 students are Hispanic or Latino.

Public schools across the county are employing English as a Second Language tutors to help students like Roberto, who enroll with limited English skills. Their ability to speak, read and write English may not be at their grade level.

The ESL program, which serves 498 students in the Hamilton School District, costs the school district $650,000 a year, with $410,000 of that coming from its general fund." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/05/schools-help-students-with-language-barriers-butler-county-ohio/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/01/%e2%80%98english-only%e2%80%99-bill-defends-against-illegal-executive-order-oklahoma/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/01/%e2%80%98english-only%e2%80%99-bill-defends-against-illegal-executive-order-oklahoma/#comments Thu, 01 May 2008 15:18:17 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/01/%e2%80%98english-only%e2%80%99-bill-defends-against-illegal-executive-order-oklahoma/ "A proposal to declare that English is the official language of Oklahoma is a defensive measure to protect the state from enforcement of an unconstitutional, extortionary executive order issued by former President Bill Clinton, said the bill’s author." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/01/%e2%80%98english-only%e2%80%99-bill-defends-against-illegal-executive-order-oklahoma/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/30/centris-launches-on-demand-interpreter-service/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/30/centris-launches-on-demand-interpreter-service/#comments Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:45:30 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/30/centris-launches-on-demand-interpreter-service/ "A growing number of limited-English speakers, as well as the businesses and organizations that serve them, will now find it easier to communicate thanks to Centris's On-Demand Interpreter Service. Centris, a leading provider of high-quality multilingual call center services, today introduced a new, over-the-phone language interpretation service that connects limited-English speakers with specially trained Spanish interpreters who facilitate communication between the consumer and a business's English-speaking customer representative.

Centris Interpreter Service is "On Demand!" - Subscribers have access to Spanish - English interpreter when they need one. The service doesn't have to be scheduled in advance and is available twenty-four hours a day, 365 days per year. Centris customers initially set up an account online at www.centrisinterpreter.com and then use the service by simply calling a toll-free phone number. A specially trained interpreter will greet the customer in the appropriate language and then establish a three-way call with the requested business or individual.

According to Jamie Maddox, CEO of Centris Information Services, "Nearly 15% of the U.S. population is Hispanic and the percentage is projected to grow to over 20% by 2020. With Centris On-Demand Interpreter Service, Spanish speakers can communicate in their own language to financial institutions, health care organizations, and utility companies - any business or individual - affordably, whenever there is a need. Conversely, English-speakers can easily engage an interpreter to better communicate with the growing number of limited-English speaking businesses and service providers."

For as little as $3.99 for a five minute call (only $0.75 per each additional minute), Centris customers can have a Spanish interpreter as close as their speed dial.

From a business's perspective, the service offers an intelligent way to attract and provide superior customer service to an increasingly affluent Hispanic consumer segment. In addition, it provides a cost-effective means to meet government regulatory compliance policies mandating organizations to provide services to limited-English speakers in their native language.

Kelly McDonald, president of McDonald Marketing, a firm specializing in helping U.S. companies become "Latino-ready," said, "English-to-Spanish communication, and vice versa, requires a meaning-for-meaning interpretation. Many ideas that are expressed in one or two English words may require several phrases to convey the concept in Spanish. That's why you may notice that non-English conversations seem to take longer."

Because of its operations in Longview, Texas and Monterrey, Mexico, Centris is uniquely positioned to provide interpreter services that are both technically accurate and culturally appropriate.

For more information, visit: www.centrisinterpreter.com or call (800) 799-3955.

About Centris Information Service:
Centris Information Services is a leading provider of high quality multilingual outsourced contact center services. The company is headquartered in the U.S. with major operations in Longview, Texas and Monterrey, Mexico. Centris helps companies improve customer satisfaction and increase revenue by creating positive customer experiences that combine high-touch with high-tech.

Contact:
Centris Information Services
(800) 530-4897
info @ centrisinfo.com" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/30/centris-launches-on-demand-interpreter-service/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/fsn-houston-teams-with-astros-to-produce-spanish-language-telecasts/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/fsn-houston-teams-with-astros-to-produce-spanish-language-telecasts/#comments Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:02:05 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/fsn-houston-teams-with-astros-to-produce-spanish-language-telecasts/ "Appealing to the growing and established Hispanic markets in Houston and South Texas, the Houston Astros and television partner FSN Houston today announced that they have joined forces to produce and televise 15 Astros games in Spanish in 2008.

The Spanish-language broadcasts will be original productions separate from FSN Houston’s telecasts and will be carried on secondary FSN Plus channels on cable systems in Houston and South Texas markets. They also will be made available to DirecTV and Dish Network. Veteran announcer Rene Cardenas, who pioneered Astros Spanish-language radio broadcasts when the team debuted in 1962 and is considered the dean of Major League Baseball Spanish announcers, will team with Raul Saenz to call the games. Spanish graphics will supplement the broadcasts.

" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/fsn-houston-teams-with-astros-to-produce-spanish-language-telecasts/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/priests-learning-a-language-and-people-hispanic-immersion-course-helps-priests-minister-to-their-spanish-speaking-flocks/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/priests-learning-a-language-and-people-hispanic-immersion-course-helps-priests-minister-to-their-spanish-speaking-flocks/#comments Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:02:31 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/priests-learning-a-language-and-people-hispanic-immersion-course-helps-priests-minister-to-their-spanish-speaking-flocks/ "The Catholic Church is presented with a challenge and a tremendous opportunity in the rise of Hispanic Catholics in this country. But if this opportunity is not seized in the moment, it could result in a serious loss of fervor, fire, and enthusiasm for the Church in America.

To date, a whopping 39% of all U.S. Catholics are Hispanic, while only 6.3% of U.S. priests are Hispanic. About 20% of all Catholic parishes in this country have a majority Hispanic presence, including a fair number of recent immigrants who speak only Spanish and some broken English. For many Catholic priests, this is a significant pastoral challenge.

How does a pastor hear minister effectively to parishioners who speak another language and come from another culture? Charity is a universal language, but words are also necessary, especially when it comes to the sacraments, family counseling, education, and spiritual guidance of all kinds.

The dangers of not meeting this challenge are already written in the statistics. About 20% of Hispanic Catholics arriving to this country end up converting from Catholicism to various branches of evangelical Protestantism, sects, or no religion at all. Of the total population of Hispanic evangelical Protestants, half are ex-Catholics.

Aware of the challenge -- and the great promise -- of a booming Hispanic population, many bishops are requiring their seminarians to learn Spanish and asking their priests to become bilingual.

And the Church's shepherds are taking up the challenge. While seminarians are conjugating their verbs, many priests are signing up for online Spanish classes or CD programs to get up to speed. Most promising of all, a growing number of priests are participating in immersion programs that allow them to learn both the language and the culture of "Hispanidad" on site in Mexico and other Latin American countries.

Intensive Immersion

One of these immersion programs is the Curso de Hispanidad, a five-week intensive course from July 1st to August 1st for American and Canadian priests and seminarians. The program, sponsored by Sacerdos Institute in conjunction with the Department of Humanities and the Center for Language Studies of Mexico City's Anáhuac University, takes them to Mexico City where they take intensive classes in Spanish language and Hispanic culture at the Interamerican Cultural Center while also enjoying priestly fraternity with other participants in the course.

The program is adapted to varying language abilities, with a beginner's and an intermediate track, both of which use a range of teaching styles: lectures, tutorial, conversation periods, readings, listening tapes, seminars, and media. Both language levels emphasize preparation for priestly ministry, with special clinics on celebrating the sacraments and preparing homilies in Spanish. In addition, there are classes on Latin American culture and on the particular aspects of ministering to Hispanics in North America.

Integral Learning

But classroom learning is only half of the picture. The other half of this integral program is the "learning by osmosis" that takes place through exposure to the Mexican people with their fervor and celebratory spirit. On the weekends, participants go out into the community alongside a Mexican priest in guided pastoral ministry, adapted to their ability level. And of course, there are the outing days for visiting interesting cultural sites and practicing their Spanish en vivo. One of these outing days includes the opportunity to concelebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, an experience that stays with the participants for a long time.

"The information on Hispanic culture and religious experience were particularly useful. As I celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe this year I recognize that without my participation in the Curso de Hispanidad I would be at the periphery of this observance rather than at its heart, which is where I want to be," said Bishop Allen H. Vigneron of the Oakland diocese.

His experience was echoed by Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell of the Springfield diocese in Massachusetts. "I have to say that my appreciation for the Latino culture has been very much enhanced," he said.

Seminarian Vincent Anyama agreed. "The in-depth exposure to the values and richness of Mexican culture was a very valuable tool for my future ministry to Mexican Hispanic immigrants in the local Church of Dallas," he said.

All for Priests... and Priests for All

Legionary of Christ Father Alex Yeung, who organizes the program, emphasized that this is a program that brings priests together and offers them a chance to build a sense of fraternity while learning and growing together.

"The participants live, study, and pray alongside each other," he said. "We teach an integral approach to ministry to Latinos, coupling practical solutions with communication skills. A love for Hispanic peoples is a great fruit of the program. Besides the accredited small-group tutoring to allow learning at one's own pace, there are numerous pastoral experiences giving participants exposure to the day-to-day life of Latinos in various sectors of society."

For priests, ministering to an increasing Hispanic population can be a challenge, given the language logistics and the differences in culture. But, as past participants in the Curso de Hispanidad program -- and others like it -- have observed, the time investment in learning the language and culture is worth it.

For more specific information about the Curso de Hispanidad, click here.

Contact:
Jim Fair
Director of Communications
Legion of Christ
Phone: 630-858-6398
CELL: 312-953-9864
Email Contact" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/priests-learning-a-language-and-people-hispanic-immersion-course-helps-priests-minister-to-their-spanish-speaking-flocks/feed/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/pledge-of-allegiance-spanish-recitation-uproars-wisconsin/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/pledge-of-allegiance-spanish-recitation-uproars-wisconsin/#comments Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:02:05 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/pledge-of-allegiance-spanish-recitation-uproars-wisconsin/ "Parents in Wisconsin say don't recite The Pledge Of Allegiance in any language other than English.

An uproar has begun in a high school in Wisconsin over The Pledge of Allegiance being broadcast in Spanish over the Intercom. Once a year at Edgerton High School Spanish classes have recited the pledge. This year a parent got hot under the collar.

On March 11 the daily announcements at Edgerton High School had the Spanish class reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as it has for many years. It only happens one day per school year but this year is causing a fuss." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/04/29/pledge-of-allegiance-spanish-recitation-uproars-wisconsin/feed/