Nevada DMV and NITA Collaborate in the Translation of Driver's Handbook

Online, January 13, 2014 (Newswire.com) - In view of the need for language access in the state of Nevada and the recent passage of SB 303 - Driver Authorization Card (DAC) in June 2013, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and The Nevada Interpreters and Translators Association (NITA) entered into a collaborative effort to carry out a translation of the Driver's Handbook into Spanish on a pro bono basis. The sole aim of performing a professional translation is to be able to provide Spanish-speaking applicants requesting the DAC with the material necessary to aid them in gaining proper knowledge pertaining to traffic laws and safe driving practices in their native language. This way, those applying would be in full understanding of the material and will have an upper hand at passing the DMV's driving knowledge test. The translation was a pro bono effort managed solely by NITA. Its management began in mid-October and was tagged complete in mid-December. The volunteer translators, NITA President Lorena Pike, immediate past President Judy Jenner, NITA Director Cristina Sanchez, and NITA member Maria Peralta de Gomez, contributed combined experience in translation and interpretation of more than 30 years and worked very closely with the DMV to ensure a translation of the Handbook that met industry quality standards and, at the same time, remained faithful to its original English counterpart. "There are few agencies in Nevada that recognize the need for professional language services to offer applications, manuals, instructions, etc. to users of government services. I applaud the efforts and interest of DMV officials to provide their customers a professionally translated handbook that will ensure full understanding of traffic laws in Nevada," said NITA President Lorena Pike.

This collaboration between the Nevada DMV and NITA wouldn't have been possible without the enthusiasm of both organizations regarding language access in conjunction with the favorable participation of the Ombudsman of Consumer Affairs for Minorities, Miriam Lira-Hickerson, as she personally understands the crucial role of professional translators and interpreters in ensuring overall proper written and oral communication. Ms. Lira-Hickerson commented on the cultural roles of bilingualism and translation, indicating that she agreed with NITA in that not all those who are bilingual embody the essence and art of developing the skills necessary to become translators. The Nevada DMV was also very pleased to have reached this collaboration with NITA without having to incur any expenses. Subsequently, Spanish-speaking DAC applicants will now have the opportunity to understanding Nevada's traffic laws and regulations with ease. "NITA has performed a valuable public service with this translation.  The revised handbook will be a great help in enhancing highway safety for all Nevadans," said Nevada DMV Public Information Officer Kevin Malone.

The Spanish revised version of the Nevada Driver's Handbook can be downloaded from the Nevada DMV website. Click here to download. Hopefully, this initial effort shared by the Nevada DMV and NITA will become the first of many at a state-wide level aimed at improving language access in the state Nevada for the Spanish-speaking community as well as contingents of diverse multilingual and multicultural backgrounds.

About NITA:

The Nevada Interpreters and Translators Association (NITA) was founded in 2008. NITA's broadly defined goal is to advance and to elevate the quality and availability of language services in the State of Nevada. It is an enthusiastic and diverse group that works together in pursuit of the highest language service standards for all of its stakeholders. The organization's website is as follows: www.nitaonline.org.

About the Nevada DMV:

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is a government agency that offers driver licensing, vehicle registration, ID cards issuance and more in the State of Nevada, and has the mission to modernize and reinvents its services through technology, innovation, customer service and training while guarding against fraud and protecting the driving public through licensing and intervention practices while ensuring privacy protection of DMV records. The DMV's website is as follows: www.dmvnv.com.

Press contacts:
Lorena Pike, President NITA
president@nitaonline.org
Las Vegas, NV
Office (702) 605-0038

Napoleón Buenrostro, Vice President NITA
vicepresident@nitaonline.org
Las Vegas, NV