6 years ago
A study finds the number of people in DC with limited English skills rose nearly a third in the 1990s.
The report by the Brookings Institution says 38,000 city residents don't speak English very well. Two-thirds of those people are Spanish speakers, who also account for the majority of the District's new immigrants.
The study, reported in The Washington Post, also finds that one in five city residents who don't speak English very well was born in the United States. Most of those people are likely the children of immigrant parents.
The report was based on census data. It comes as DC government agencies prepare to meet the requirements of a new law that calls for the hiring of bilingual employees and the translation of documents, such as complaint forms. Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
