English-Hmong Dictionary of Special Education

English-Hmong Dictionary of Special Education

Info:  Written translation or oral interpretion of special education materials into Hmong language can be frustrating for everyone involved in the process. For many Hmong families, it is difficult to understand special education terminology. Hmong interpreters who work in schools are often asked to translate special education materials, but they may not be familiar with the meaning of the terms or know the best way to translate them. Many English terms have no counterpart in Hmong. English-speaking special education staff may feel uncomfortable because they do not know whether the interpretion is accurate or whether the families really understand the information.  For these reasons, the (Minnesota) Division of Special Education worked with a group of Hmong experts to create a dictionary of special education terminology. This dictionary is not intended for general use and does not include general educational terms. Terms are translated according to their meaning in special education.