Diego, and Rick--
this is an excellent thought that you both are sharing here--and it
doesn't need to be a "problem." I've lived in multilingual/cultural
settings for much of my life. I have also found it taxing, trying to
translate, calculate currency rates for others and trying to keep up in a
conversation while I'm also trying to translate the thoughts and words.
a similar conversation about multingual settings occurred recently on the
OS-List (open space!). Open Space events often occur in a bi/multilingual
setting and the conversation concerned how best to "meet" the needs of
each of the participants (presumably in their own language). The most
common response was to let people find their own ways to understand one
another...sometimes it means asking for some translating help from an
acquaintance, sometimes trying to converse in a third language that two
people might share (I always enjoy that experience!).
It occurs to me, Rick, that there would be nothing remiss in people (like
Diego and many others) posting in their native languages -- other than
your need to moderate the process (and understand what people are
posting). Perhaps some on this list would be willing to help translate
these thoughts. I mention this only because the cross-cultural aspect of
this list is one of its' most endearing features to me--and because I know
that people are much more fluent when they're writing in a language with
which they are comfortable.
If Diego submitted a posting in Spanish, then it would be my
responsibility to read and comprehend it...then I could respond (in
English or whatever language is comfortable for me).
For those who are fluent in English, it certainly helps for them to
continue sharing in English--but for those who might lurk only because of
a language barrier (a hesitancy to post in English because it makes them
feel awkward), then I would certainly like to see their original and
fluent thoughts in their own mother tongue.
I would prefer this to having language-centric LO lists isolated from one
another.
best regards,
Doc
Diego Betancourt wrote:
> I declare myself a Lurker, for not having the easiness of write my mail in
> English Language. English is not my mother tongue and I speak it seldom.
> Thus it is so difficult for me write my thougths in this language..
>
> Daily I read with attention the interesting proposals that yours post in
> this discussion list, I feel that many opinions enrich my knowledge and
> this help me to grow as person, being inspired and energizing me to
> promote a change in my work place.
>
> I think that many people are in my particular situation, for such reason,
> I need one suggest about How I find some effective technological help that
> allow me to dialogue in the cyberspace with so distingished participants.
>
> Greetings
>
> [Host's Note: Welcome Diego. This is a serious question... Language is
> important and can often be a barrier. There are automatic translations
> available, and at http://altavista.digital.com you can get translations of
> the learning-org web site into five languages. But, I personally doubt
> that these will be satisfying. I think the ultimate solution is a
> companion learning-org dialogue in Spanish to serve the rest of the
> Americas. ...Rick]
> --
-- Almost every wise saying has an opposite one, no less wise, to balance it." -George SantayanaThresholds <http://www.thresholds.com> Meeting Masters <http://www.thresholds.com/masters.html> Richard Charles "Doc" Holloway - P.O. Box 641, Long Beach, WA 98631 Voice 360.642.8487 ICQ# 10849650
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>