language barrier with seminar

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Brundidge merchants have discovered a communication gap and are trying to do something about it.

Mayor Jimmy Ramage said Brundidge residents and Spanish-speaking individuals moving into the area to work in local industries have run into a language barrier.

He said "a lot of new neighbors" who speak little or no English are moving into the community and merchants need to know how to communicate with them so business transactions can be completed.

The Spanish-speaking individuals are moving to the Brundidge area to work at Carter Brothers Manufacturing Company and poultry farms, the mayor said.

"They’re looking for jobs," Ramage said. "These people are anxious to work."

Jim Caldwell of Carter Brothers is planning to have his business represented at the seminar so communication with employees is more open.

"It’s difficult because of the language barrier," Ramage said.

After talking with Pike County High School’s language teachers, the community plans to have a Spanish seminar on April 10 at 5 p.m. No location has been established because of the uncertainty of how many will be there.

"For most of us in the business community, it has been a long, long time since we had any Spanish," Ramage said.

"But, until the children get into the schools and learn the language, we have some things to do."

That is the reason for the seminar, which people can sign up for or get more information about by calling Jim Medley or Teresa Ingram at (334) 735-2351.