For centuries, immigrant communities in the U.S. have shared a similar struggle: the ability to speak, and be fully understood in the languages we speak. Whether it’s Chinese, Karen, Arabic, Spanish, or Mixteco, being able to use our preferred language is inextricably tied to being seen as our full selves and to having a say over the decisions that shape our lives. Without the ability to communicate, we are shut out from expressing our everyday needs, seeking services, and connecting to each other.
With the partnership and vision of photographer Joyce Xi, we have explored what language access means for our clients and community members: parents and children, workers and tenants who represent the more than seven million Californians who primarily use one of more than 200 non-English languages.
Immigrants have come together for years to win language rights at the ballot box, at work, at the doctor’s office, and much more. Earlier this year the president has declared English the country’s official language, and federal agencies are stripping away language rights in courtrooms, emergency alerts, tax filings, health centers, and other essential public programs. The dignity of immigrants is under attack everyday.
The people who navigate language barriers daily for their job or for their families are at the heart of this project. Their stories are more urgent and important than ever, and we’re so excited to have found a space to share them. Starting October 18 through January 2026, you can visit Galería de la Raza in San Francisco to see photos and videos of project participants and read their wealth of experiences.
By bringing together stories across diasporas and languages, we invite audiences to reflect on our innate desires as humans to express ourselves freely and connect with those around us, to belong. Through our languages, we share our stories.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on for the opening reception - with over 300 attendees, this event was truly a celebration of our vibrant immigrant communities and the diverse stories that make up the Bay Area. If you weren't able to attend, the exhibit runs through January, be sure to check it out at Galería de la Raza.
Photo by Brooke Anderson | Movement Photographer
“I am the mother of three, two girls and a boy. I live with my husband, my mother, and my sister. I am from El Salvador. The reason I immigrated from my country was problems due to threats. And for my family, for my children.
When I just arrived, I dealt with hunger because I was too scared to talk. I was embarrassed to talk about it. Because it’s very difficult not to understand the language. I continue to have problems with the language.
When I went to enroll my children at the clinic, I did not know that we had the right to have a translator, and many times I was denied services. Now, I know that we have that right, and can ask for a translator.
The way they see immigrants, they should treat us all the same, because we are all equal, we are all human beings. Maybe we weren’t born here but we all have the same feelings. I would like for this change to happen, for us all to be treated the same and if there is a resource for one person, that it might be available to all people.”
- Josseline, Spanish
“Soy madre de tres, dos niñas y un niño varón. Vivo con mi esposo, mi mamá y mi hermana. Soy del Salvador. La razón por la que emigré de mi país fue por problemas por amenazas y por mi familia, por mis hijos.
De recién llegada yo aguantaba hambre por no hablar porque me daba miedo. Me daba pena hablarlo. Porque el idioma, pues es bien difícil no entenderlo. Sigo teniendo problemas con el idioma.
Cuando fui a inscribir a mis hijos en la clínica, no sabía que teníamos derecho a tener un traductor y muchas veces me negaron los servicios. Sé que tenemos derecho y puedo pedir que haya un traductor.
La manera de como miran a los inmigrantes; deberían tratarnos igual que todos, porque yo siento que todos somos iguales, todos somos seres humanos y tal vez no nacimos aquí pero me imagino que todos tenemos los mismos sentimientos y me gustaría que hubiera este cambio, que nos tratara por igual, que el mismo recurso que va a haber para tal persona fuera para todos.”
"In 2007, my husband got sick. He got a stroke and the stroke affected his mind. I had to be by myself and be able to provide for the family. My kids were still small at the time. I learned how to take the bus and do everything by myself.
In the Philippines, the neighbors know each other, but here in the U.S. the neighbors hardly know each other. When I came here, I understood English but had difficulty expressing myself until much later when I became more confident to talk in English. You have to learn how to rely only on yourself."
-Tita Agie, Tagalog
"Noong 2007, nagkasakit ang aking asawa. Na-stroke siya at naapektuhan ang kanyang pagiisip. Magisa lang ako at kinailangang kong kumita para sa aking pamily.
Sa Pilipinas, magkakakilala ang mga magkakapitbahay, pero dito sa U.S. hindi halos mag kakilala ang mga magkakabitbahay. Pagpunta ko dito, nakakaintindi ako ng Ingels pero nahirapan akong ipahiwatig ang aking sarili. Matagal pa bago ako nagkaroon ng tiwala sa sarili na magsalita ng Ingles. Kailangang mong matuto na umasa lamang sa sarili."
"My mom moved here to San Francisco in 1995. I would oftentimes have to translate different forms for her or translate when we would have parent-teacher conferences. Even though she has the capacity to speak English, there’s still a language barrier when it comes to thinking to your fullest capacity.
One of the other things I had to support my mom with was medical forms and explanations. My dad was disabled [while I was] growing up. Doctors didn’t always have interpreters. It puts a lot of strain on kids, children of immigrants, who are forced to be that bridge.
I felt like I had to grow up fast. I just wanted to be a kid, hang around kids who didn’t also have that kind of responsibility. It puts a lot of strain on relationships. I’ve given myself a lot of grace now that I’ve been able to study the reasons why people like Filipinos move here to the U.S. I’ve taken a lot of Filipino studies and ethnic studies courses. As an adult now, I’ve seen knowing two languages more as a skill and benefit, rather than a hindrance."
- Michelle, English and Tagalog
"Lumipat dito sa San Francisco ang aking nanay noong 1995. Madalas kinakailangan kong mag salin ng iba't-ibang mga form o magsalin kapag may kumperensya ng magulang at guro o parent-teacher conference. Kahit na may kakayahang magsalita ng Ingles, may hadlang parin sa wika pagdating sa pagiisip sa pinka buong kapasidad.
Isa pang bagay na kinailangan kong tulungan ang aking nanay ay sa mga medikal na mga form at mga paliwanag. May kapansanan ang aking tatay [noong ako] lumalaki. Hindi laging may mga tagasalin ang mga doktor.
Ang pakiramdam ko ay kinailanan kong tumanda ng mabilis. Gusto ko lang maging bata, makasalamuha ang mga ibang bata na walang ganoon na resposibilidad. Ito ay nagdudulot ng tensyon sa mga relasyon. Nabigyan ko ang aking sarili ng madaming pagunawa ngayong napagaralan ko na ang mga dahilan kung bakit ang mga tao tulad ng mga Pilipino ay lumilipat dito sa U.S. Madami na akong nakuhang kurso sa Filipino studies at ethnic studies. Ngayong nasa hustong gulang na ako, nakita ko na ang pagiging marunong sa dalwang wika ay isang kasanayan at benepisyo at hindi balakid."