Metaphrasis October 2026 Newsletter: Language Access News, Events & Culture
Welcome to our language access news October 2026 roundup from Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions. This month, we’re sharing a message from our President, an update on new telehealth language access legislation, a reminder of why language access is a smart investment, a fun look at how different cultures express fear, and an upcoming conference for interpreters and translators.
Metaphrasis Language Access News: October 2026 Highlights
Here’s what’s inside this month’s update:
- A message from our President on growth, learning, and what’s ahead for Metaphrasis
- Industry news: the SPEAK Act and telehealth language access
- Why language access is a smart investment
- A cultural feature on how different languages describe fear
- Professional events for interpreters, including the MATI Annual Conference
A Message From Our President
Dear Friends, Clients, and Community Partners,
As we move into the final months of the year, October is a wonderful time to reflect on how far we’ve come, what we’ve learned, and the opportunities that still lie ahead.
One thing we’ve learned throughout our journey as a business is that growth never stops, no matter how much experience we gain or what stage of life we’re in.
We recently had the opportunity to attend the WBENC–Dartmouth Tuck Capstone Program, an experience that reminded us of the importance of continuing to learn, challenging ourselves, and embracing new perspectives. As leaders, we should never become so comfortable with what we know that we stop looking for ways to improve.
That same mindset is what drives us at Metaphrasis. As the needs of our clients and communities continue to evolve, so must we. Whether through new technology, expanded language solutions, or stronger partnerships, our goal remains the same: to make communication more accessible, meaningful, and effective for everyone our team serves.
As we look toward the end of 2026, we want to thank our dedicated team, interpreters, translators, clients, and community partners for being part of our journey. Your trust and collaboration continue to inspire us to grow and improve.
As part of that commitment, we are excited to introduce a new client platform beginning January 1, 2027, designed to make accessing and managing our services more convenient and efficient. With enhanced scheduling capabilities for on-site and on-demand interpreting, AI-powered technology, transcription services, improved reporting tools, and expanded language solutions, we’re investing in innovations that will better support the evolving needs of our clients.
We look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks as we prepare for this exciting next chapter together.
Industry News: The SPEAK Act and Telehealth Language Access
As telehealth continues to transform healthcare, ensuring patients can communicate effectively with their providers is more important than ever.
The SPEAK Act, signed into law in February 2026, marks an important step toward improving language access in virtual healthcare. The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop guidance on integrating qualified interpreters into telehealth visits, improving multilingual patient portals, and making virtual care more accessible to patients with limited English proficiency.
With federal guidance expected by February 2027, now is the time for healthcare organizations to evaluate their language access practices. Advocacy groups have welcomed the law as a meaningful step forward for patients with limited English proficiency nationwide.
At Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions, we help healthcare providers bridge communication gaps through professional video remote interpreting, over-the-phone interpreting, and translation services. Is your organization prepared for the future of telehealth language access?
Learn More: The SPEAK Act & Telehealth Interpreter Services in 2026 →
Language Access: A Smart Investment
Language access is more than a service – it’s an investment in effective communication, inclusion, and stronger connections with the communities we serve.
This video highlights why investing in language access matters and the value it brings to organizations and the people who rely on their services.
Watch the video and discover why language access is essential →
Special thanks to Javier Roman and Worldwide Languages for making this video possible. Produced by OPCOM Media Group.
Words That Give Us Chills: How Different Cultures Express Fear
Ghosts, monsters, and things that go bump in the night might give us all the chills, but how we express fear varies across languages and cultures!
With Halloween around the corner, let’s explore some spooky expressions from around the world.
Spanish – “Se me puso la piel de gallina” – literally meaning “my skin turned into chicken skin,” this expression describes getting goosebumps from fear or excitement.
French – “Avoir la chair de poule” – meaning “to have chicken flesh,” this is the French way of saying something gave you goosebumps.
German – “Gänsehaut” – translating to “goose skin,” this word describes the chills caused by fear, cold, or strong emotions.
Italian – “Avere la pelle d’oca” – another way of saying “goose skin,” describing that familiar shiver when something gives you chills.
Turkish – “Tüyleri diken diken olmak” – this vivid expression describes the feeling of your body hairs standing up like thorns.
While the words may differ, these expressions remind us that understanding language goes beyond a word-for-word translation. At Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions, we help businesses and organizations communicate confidently across languages and cultures through professional interpreting and translation services.
Don’t let language barriers give you a fright! Whether you need an interpreter for an important conversation or professional translation for your documents, our team is here to help.
Contact Metaphrasis today to explore our language solutions and request a quote!
Professional Events for Interpreters
MATI Annual Conference
Save the date: November 19, 2026
Meet translators and interpreters from around the Midwest! The 23rd Annual MATI Conference will be held in Indiana. The conference will be in person. More details coming soon.
Stay Connected With Metaphrasis
Thank you for being part of our community. If your organization needs certified translation or professional interpreting services, contact Metaphrasis today – because everyone deserves to be understood.