Why language-access claims need a source card
Small businesses often want to be welcoming, but vague phrases like “multilingual support available” or “translation provided” can create confusion if nobody has checked which languages, channels, hours, staff, vendors, and review rules are actually available. AI answer engines may repeat those phrases as if they were guaranteed services.
A safer page names the verified help path, states limitations plainly, and routes sensitive or uncertain situations to a human reviewer.
Copy/paste language-access source card
| Field | What to verify | Stop rule |
|---|---|---|
| Languages mentioned | Exact languages, page/location/channel, staff/vendor owner, and last review date. | Do not list a language unless the business can support it through a named path. |
| Help channel | Phone, form, email, chat, in-person, interpreter vendor, translated page, or callback process. | Do not promise live help, 24/7 help, or a response window unless verified. |
| Translation source | Human translation, approved glossary, vendor translation, AI-assisted draft, or staff review. | AI translation alone is a draft; it needs review before customer-facing use. |
| Sensitive topics | Pricing, legal rights, medical/safety details, deposits, refunds, leases, financing, accessibility, or compliance topics. | Route sensitive topics to owner/legal/professional review instead of relying on translated AI output. |
| Page consistency | Homepage, contact page, booking page, FAQ, policy pages, GBP, directory listings, and downloadable PDFs. | STOP PUBLISHING when pages disagree about language support or contact paths. |
Customer-safe wording snippets
Language help note: We can help with [LANGUAGE/CHANNEL] through [verified path]. If your request involves pricing, policy, legal, safety, lease, medical, financial, or urgent details, a manager will review before we confirm the answer.Translation review note: This translated draft was prepared from approved source text dated [DATE]. Reviewer: [PERSON/ROLE]. Do not publish if the source page changed or if the translation adds promises not in the approved English/source version.Website update note: Pages to update together: [contact page], [FAQ], [booking page], [policy page], [Google Business Profile], [PDF/download]. Owner: [PERSON]. Next review date: [DATE].AI audit prompt for language-access pages
You are helping a small business review language-access wording before publication. Use only the verified facts below. Do not invent languages, interpreter availability, staff fluency, response times, legal compliance, accessibility promises, translation accuracy, medical/legal/financial advice, or emergency support. Return: 1) unsupported language-access claims, 2) pages that need consistency checks, 3) safer plain-language wording, 4) sensitive topics requiring owner/professional review, and 5) a STOP PUBLISHING decision if facts are missing.
Verified languages/support paths:
Source pages or policies:
Review owner and date:
Sensitive-topic rules:
Pages to update together:STOP PUBLISHING guardrails
- STOP if AI adds a language, support channel, availability window, legal/compliance claim, or interpreter promise not present in the source card.
- STOP if translated wording changes prices, policies, eligibility, refund terms, lease terms, safety advice, or deadlines.
- STOP if the contact page, FAQ, Google Business Profile, PDF, or booking page contradicts the language-access statement.
- STOP if the business cannot name the human owner who reviews sensitive translated replies.
Related Horizon Flow resources
Pair this with the AI Search Accessibility Statement Checklist, AI Search Trust Center Checklist, and AI Search Policy Review Calendar.
Product signal: if language-access resources earn clicks, editorial replies, or prospect questions, add a small “translation/source consistency” worksheet to SEO After AI rather than editing the buyer ZIP from one signal.