[governance] Communication Challenges [Brainstorming]

[Rudi Vansnick]

Language is important, and most often the barrier for people to be engaged and involved thus allowing them to participate in governance and policy matters.
Translation is indeed a solution, however, it is almost impossible to translate all and everything in any language. For instance, as Dutch is my mother tongue I would expect the documents would be translated in Dutch. And so will expect everyone. Mission impossible ... 

Translation in just a few languages is not fair against all other languages. 

Just my 2 cents 

Rudi Vansnick


Op 15-feb-2013, om 21:20 heeft Nick Ashton-Hart het volgende geschreven:

> FWIW, in At-Large we faced significant language issues, with many participants with limited English and native Spanish or French respectively. We tried automatic translation of emails, but it was a pretty imperfect situation.
> 
> Avri is completely correct, if you really want multiple language communities to have equal opportunity to participate, it takes extra time and energy (IMHO it is not only worth it but actually a necessity) for everyone. Many of you here will know how strongly I feel that the dialogue is richer with everyone in it, even if the linguistic challenges require patience and extra work to try to overcome.
> 
> -- 
> Regards,
>  
> Nick Ashton-Hart
> Geneva Representative
> Computer & Communications Industry Assocation (CCIA)
> Tel: +41 (22) 534 99 45
> Fax: : +41 (22) 594-85-44
> Mobile: +41 79 595 5468 
> USA DID: +1 (202) 640-5430
> 
> Need to meet with me? Schedule the time that suits us both here: http://meetme.so/nashton
> 
> Sent from my one of my handheld thingies, please excuse linguistic mangling.
> 
> On 15 Feb 2013, at 15:10, Avri Doria <avri at acm.org> wrote:
> 
>> Hi,
>> 
>> Interesting proposal.
>> 
>> Is Spanish the only language we have this issue with?
>> Or would this be a pilot that could/would be expanded to other languages if it worked well?
>> 
>> One thing, I think that extra time would need to be built into the schedules to handle this.
>> 
>> avri
>> 
>> On 15 Feb 2013, at 05:17, Norbert Bollow wrote:
>> 
>>> Sala <salanieta.tamanikaiwaimaro at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> How can we turn this challenge of communication into an opportunity?
>>>> Any thoughts?
>>> 
>>> Maybe this experience of communication problems can serve as a
>>> motivation to create a "Spanish Language Caucus" for
>>> 
>>> a) discussion in Spanish of global information society issues;
>>> 
>>> b) discussion of information society issues concerning specifically
>>>  users of the Spanish language;
>>> 
>>> c) selecting Ambassadors, trusted by the "Spanish Language Caucus"
>>>  community, who able to communicate in English as well as in Spanish,
>>>  and who would be willing to engage in global fora on behalf of
>>>  Spanish speakers who don't have sufficient English language skills
>>>  to be able to effectively engage directly
>>> 
>>> ?
>>> 
>>> Of course the Ambassadors would report back to the "Spanish Language
>>> Caucus", etc.
>>> 
>>> If this works well, maybe it'll set a good example that could be
>>> followed by other language groups.
>>> 
>>> Greetings,
>>> Norbert
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