Browsing Tag

obstacles

Overcoming Language Obstacles: Fargo’s New Americans Offered Voting Assistance in Somali and Arabic

axadle Oct 16, 2024

FARGO — First-time voters need to catch on to the basics, but picking up scoops on candidates seems daunting when English ain't your native lingo. It's like deciphering a secret code buried in the news or on the web. Tackling these language barriers, the League of Women Voters in Red River Valley joined forces with local champs, rolling out digital voting tools in English, Somali, and Arabic. These resources center on North Dakota's House and Senate hopefuls. "Folks will be stunned by our community's linguistic diversity,"…

VIDEO: Somalia’s $2 Billion Banking Industry Confronts Obstacles in Embracing Cryptocurrency

axadle Oct 6, 2024

Somalia

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s banking industry, worth a cool $2 billion, is gearing up for some serious expansion. This growth spurt is fueled by new rules and a rising wave of interest in fintech. But there's a hitch with bringing cryptocurrencies into the mix, as the sector grapples with syncing up international financial norms and Islamic banking values. While people are starting to buzz about cryptocurrency in Somalia, the chatter is still pretty nascent. Local banks are dipping their toes into figuring out how to weave…

Language Obstacles Hinder Somali Voters in Minnesota from Receiving Polling Assistance

axadle Sep 22, 2024

West Africa

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (AX) — In Stearns County, language barriers continue to thwart Somali-speaking residents from exercising their voting rights, despite Minnesota's efforts to promote accessible voting. With no legal stipulations for Somali interpreters at polling stations, many potential voters struggle with English proficiency, hindering their ability to cast votes. Minnesota legislation mandates voting materials in Somali, Spanish, and Hmong to reflect prevalent non-English languages in the state. However, these…