The National Weather Service is no longer providing language translations of its products, a change that experts say could put non-English speakers at risk of missing potentially life-saving warnings about extreme weather. The weather service has “paused” the translations because its contract with the provider has lapsed, NWS spokesperson Michael Musher said. He declined further comment. Lilt, an artificial intelligence company, began providing translations in late 2023, replacing manual translations that the weather service had said were labor-intensive and not sustainable. It eventually provided them in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French and Samoan. The contract lapse comes as President Donald Trump’s administration is seeking to slash spending in federal agencies, including cuts within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that have led to high employee vacancy rates at NWS offices. NOAA referred questions about the contract to a message on its website announcing the contract had lapsed. Lilt did not respond to requests for comment. Nearly 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home, including 42 million Spanish speakers, according to 2019 Census data. Not being able to read urgent weather alerts could be a matter of life or death, said Joseph Trujillo-Falcón, a researcher at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who has worked with NOAA researching how to translate weather and climate information to the public, including the use of artificial intelligence. He said translated weather alerts saved lives during a deadly tornado outbreak in Kentucky in 2021. A Spanish-speaking family interviewed afterward said they got a tornado alert on their cellphone in English but ignored it because they didn’t understand it, he said. When the same alert came in Spanish, they quickly sought shelter, he said. “It saved their life,” said Trujillo-Falcón. Trujillo-Falcón said weather alerts used to be translated by forecasters that spoke more than one language, a task that could be “completely overwhelming” on top of their forecasting duties. The translations are important for more than extreme weather events, said Andrew Kruczkiewicz, a senior researcher at the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University. General weather forecasts are essential for a number of sectors including tourism, transportation and energy. Families and businesses can make more informed decisions when they can get weather information that often includes actions that should be taken based on the forecast. Norma Mendoza-Denton, a professor of anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said there are many people in the U.S. that function with limited English relevant to their daily routines. For example, a shopkeeper might be able to have short conversations with customers, but might not have the same understanding when it comes to reading weather or climate terminologies. “If they don’t have access to that National Weather Service information in the different languages, that could be the difference between life and death for somebody,” said Mendoza-Denton.
National Weather Service no longer translating products for non-English speakers
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"National Weather Service Halts Translations of Weather Alerts for Non-English Speakers"
CNN
8.5
TruthLens AI Summary
The National Weather Service (NWS) has announced that it will no longer provide translations of its weather products for non-English speakers, a decision that has raised concerns among experts regarding the safety of millions of Americans. The cessation of translations arises from a lapsed contract with Lilt, an artificial intelligence company that had been providing these services since late 2023. Previously, the NWS relied on manual translations, which were deemed labor-intensive and unsustainable. Lilt's translations included alerts in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Samoan, but with the lapse of the contract, this crucial service has come to a halt. This development occurs amid ongoing budget cuts from the Trump administration affecting federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the NWS. The absence of translated weather alerts poses a significant risk, as nearly 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home, with 42 million of them being Spanish speakers, according to 2019 Census data.
Experts emphasize the life-saving importance of translated weather alerts. Joseph Trujillo-Falcón, a researcher at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, highlighted a case from a tornado outbreak in Kentucky in 2021 where Spanish-speaking individuals received an alert in English that they did not comprehend, leading them to ignore it. However, when the same alert was provided in Spanish, they were able to seek shelter in time, illustrating the critical nature of accessible information. The translations are not only vital during extreme weather events but also play a crucial role in everyday weather forecasts, impacting sectors such as tourism, transportation, and energy. Andrew Kruczkiewicz from Columbia University underscored that informed decision-making relies heavily on accessible forecasts. Additionally, many individuals in the U.S. struggle with limited English proficiency, complicating their ability to understand essential weather information. Experts warn that without access to NWS information in multiple languages, the consequences could be dire, potentially leading to life-threatening situations for those unable to comprehend vital weather updates.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The National Weather Service's decision to halt language translations of its weather products raises significant concerns regarding public safety, particularly for non-English speakers. This change, attributed to a lapsed contract with an AI translation provider, highlights the potential risks associated with inadequate access to critical weather information. Experts warn that this cessation could lead to dangerous situations during extreme weather events, as many individuals may not understand alerts issued solely in English.
Public Safety Risks
The article emphasizes the risk posed to the nearly 68 million people in the U.S. who speak languages other than English. With a significant number of Spanish speakers among them, the inability to receive timely and accurate weather alerts could have dire consequences. An example given illustrates a family's experience during a tornado, where they initially ignored an English alert but took action when the same message was provided in Spanish, ultimately saving their lives. This instance underscores the importance of accessible communication during emergencies.
Political and Economic Context
The timing of this decision coincides with broader budget cuts within federal agencies, particularly under the Trump administration. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the National Weather Service, has been affected by staffing shortages due to these cuts. This context raises questions about the prioritization of public safety in an era of fiscal restraint, suggesting that the decision may be more about budgetary limitations than about the efficacy of translation services.
Community Impact
The article suggests that this decision may create a divide between English-speaking and non-English-speaking communities. By removing translated alerts, the government risks alienating a substantial portion of the population, potentially leading to increased vulnerability during natural disasters. This situation could foster resentment among non-English speakers and advocates for equitable access to information.
Potential Manipulation and Trust Issues
While the article does not overtly present manipulative language, the circumstances surrounding the contract lapse and the implications for public safety may lead to public distrust in government agencies. The narrative can foster a sense of urgency and concern among communities, which may be struggling with the implications of reduced language services.
Conclusion on Reliability
Overall, the article presents a credible account of an important issue affecting public safety, supported by expert opinions and real-life examples. However, it also reflects underlying political and economic tensions that could influence public perception. The reliability of the information is strong, given the emphasis on expert commentary and statistical data from the Census.