Interview with Raul Lagos Espinosa, November 20, 2009

Interview Summary

He introduces himself and talks about his first stay in the United States during high school. He speaks of his first job as an interpreter at the United States embassy in Chile and the change in the political climate before the presidency of Salvador Allende. He talks about his move to the United States and his first job as an educator at a public school in Paintsville, Kentucky. He describes his decision to stay in Kentucky and his experience getting a resident visa. He comments on learning English and his integration into American culture. He speaks of the cultural differences that he experienced, specifically with the customs and the methods of teaching. He describes his first experience with American food and the changes that he's seen in Chile due to the influence of American junk food. He comments on the linguistic and customary changes he experienced throughout the years. He talks about his family in the United States and the decision to not teach his children Spanish. He describes his experience as an interpreter and medical and legal translator for the Hispanic community of Kentucky. He talks about the pamphlets that he created to distribute important medical information to the Hispanic population, in addition to his experience translating the sale of horses and interpreting for Hispanic people in court. He talks about the Hispanic community in Lexington and how it's changed over the years. He also talks about the importance of learning English to integrate (not only the Hispanics, but foreigners in general). He comments on the Hispanic educators and their contribution to the American culture and the education system. He talks about social organizations and groups that exist for the Hispanic community in Lexington. He describes the work that he has done for The Kidney Foundation and his participation in Lexington's Health Fair which offers medical help to the Hispanic community. He tells about his experience as a bilingual medical interpreter and the importance of the language in transactions between patients, doctors, and the pharmacists. He describes his "Americanization" after being in Kentucky so many years and the estrangement he has experienced from the Chilean culture. He talks about the way he shares the Latino culture through teaching.

Interview Keyword

English language. Idioma en Ingl?s. Communities. Las comunidades. American culture. Cultura americana.

Interview LC Subject

Education Teachers--Kentucky Immigrants--Kentucky Teachers Teaching Translators. Hispanic Americans--Kentucky. Medical care--Kentucky Culture Emigration and immigration

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.