Social Security Card after been out of the country?

I have a friend who was born in the U.S., and left the country after 3 years old. She is now back in the U.S. at 28, and is having a hard time getting her SS Card. She has a valid U.S. passport, her original birth certificate, and both had been supplied to the local S.S. Office. In addition, she supplied documentation history of her living outside of U.S. such as school records. The S.S. Office is taking over 4 months, and still no S.S. Card. Their reasoning was that the S.S. Office needed to translate the documents provided in order to varify that no previous card had been issues.

Q 1: Is my friend getting the run-around? Why can't the S.S. Office varify no other card had been issued mearly from her passport, and birth cert. with valid names?

Q 2: The S.S. Office stated that they need to translate all the documents provided. Well, she supplied over 20 pages of school records, employement info. She might have submitted too much info? Can an "Official Translation" affidavit and notorized by a translation service, or a entity whom is authorized, or officially recognized to translate Japanese be used?

My friend has several job offers, but can't begin employment until she gets her card.

I just can't understand, nor believe that the S.S. Office actually would pay, or have an internal translation department? And for foreign countries, and several languages? It's kind of comical.

Any information is greatly appreciated.