---

Despite the high concentration of Plain identifying people in Lancaster County, and in Pennsylvania at large, the PA Judicial System's Interpreter Program has found significant difficulty in finding interpreters for Pennsylvania Dutch, the language first learned in many Plain Communities. Even when interpreters were found, they were usually not well versed in the cultural practices and religious beliefs of the members of Plain Communities. 

In response to this need, Safe Communities began working with the Court's Interpreter Program in 2023 to bring Plain folks into the program to translate for their own community members. Because many Plain people only have an eighth grade education, the examination that is required for certification to be an interpreter is very challenging. Through study groups and collaborative work with other organizations including the YWCA of Lancaster, Safe Communities is offering Study Groups in which people who speak PA Dutch fluently can prepare for the examination together.

Our intention is to provide interpreters to the Court System who can meet the current needs of the community with expertise and cultural competence.

We intend to continue this program in 2025. If you, or someone you know is fluent in PA Dutch, and would like to take part, please contact us at 717-560-9989, or email us at [email protected].