Metro survey aims to improve language access in Nashville

The survey seeks feedback to make city services more accessible for non-English speakers.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:11pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph showing the blurred silhouettes of people interacting with a government office, with soft, warm pools of light and color creating a dreamlike, atmospheric scene that evokes the challenges of language barriers in accessing city services.The city of Nashville seeks to improve language access and translation services to better serve its diverse population.Today in Nashville

The Metro government in Nashville, Tennessee is conducting a survey to gather feedback on improving language access and translation services for city services and resources. The survey covers issues like the quality of translations, the availability of bilingual staff, and the overall user-friendliness of government websites and forms for non-English speakers.

Why it matters

Language barriers can create significant challenges for many Nashville residents when trying to access basic city services and information. This survey aims to identify areas for improvement and ensure the city's growing diverse population has equal access to important resources.

The details

The nearly 20-question survey asks about the quality of translations, whether staff can communicate in the same language as residents, and the overall user-friendliness of government websites and forms. The survey is being conducted by Metro's Human Relations Commission in partnership with the Tennessee Language Center. Nonprofit organizations that work with non-English speakers, like The Branch of Nashville, often have to spend significant time translating and explaining city documents for their clients.

  • The survey will remain open as long as needed to gain a wide range of language responses.
  • The recommendations and feedback from the survey will be shared and finalized with coordinated action.

The players

Eric Amos

The Executive Director for Tennessee Language Center.

Piboere Okukulabe

The Client Services Manager for The Branch of Nashville, a nonprofit for English language learning.

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What they’re saying

“Government websites usually aren't the most user-friendly. So even if you speak English, it can be hard to find — where am I supposed to go.”

— Eric Amos, Executive Director, Tennessee Language Center

“I've had cases where somebody comes up to me and says, 'I got this bill and I don't know what this is. I don't know what they're asking.' And then you have to go through [that] so what will take somebody regularly maybe 30 minutes, with them, it is almost two hours.”

— Piboere Okukulabe, Client Services Manager, The Branch of Nashville

What’s next

The recommendations and feedback from the survey will be shared and finalized with coordinated action by Metro's Human Relations Commission and the Tennessee Language Center.

The takeaway

This survey highlights the need for the city of Nashville to improve language access and translation services to ensure all residents, regardless of their primary language, can easily navigate and utilize important government resources and services.