Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Diverted
Procedure; Company Policy; Human Factors; Staffing
Captain calls me to inform me that we have a maintenance issue. The landing gear 'sensor' was malfunctioning. We were making an emergency landing in ZZZ. He is requesting emergency vehicles to follow us. CA (Captain) informed me to prepare for worst case scenario-loss of brakes and rolling off the runway. CA makes a PA. I pull out FA (Flight Attendant) Manual and start preparing galley; cabin and passengers for possible emergency landing. Due to large Spanish speaking population onboard I asked a bilingual passenger to make PA in Spanish from the FA Manual. CA lowered the landing gear and informed me and then later; the passengers; that we were burning fuel for another 30 or so minutes before we could land safely. The CA also told me that the sensor started working correctly once the gear came down but we were still going forward with the diversion to ZZZ. CA informs me that brace will be issued on landing because the landing gear didn't look secure on flyby. Brace commands given by CA.Safe landing and CA gives ok over PA that we are clear and to stop brace commands. We to the gate and deplane passengers. The safety issue in this event was a language barrier. I had approximately 16 Spanish speakers who had no idea what was going on. I am thankful there was a bilingual passenger that graciously offered her assistance.We need other languages on the announcement CD. When going to [other countries] where passengers don't speak English; it can be impossible to convey very vital; sometimes lifesaving information to passengers! Even a short announcement stating that we are in a possible emergency situation; please read your Passenger Information Card and follow the instructions from the flight crew. Spanish and English. Having all of the announcements in all 3 languages would be a great help but at least emergency announcements. This was a domestic flight and almost half the passengers were non-English speakers.
Flight Attendant reported difficulty communicating safety-related information to several non-English speaking passengers.