Simultaneous translation at 5-language Open Space event [long]

Mon Dec 18 02:33:36 PST 2006

What a fantastic idea and what a fantastic experiment of human
receptivity that would be!
I would love to hear the result if any of us dares to open the space in
gibberish :-)

Playfully,
filiz

-----Original Message-----
From: Phelim McDermott [mailto:phelim at mac.com] 
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 12:01 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Simultaneous translation at 5-language Open Space event
[long]

Hi there Lisa,

If I had to do an open space for people with five different languages as
a performer i would have no hesitation now i know the format to do the
introduction in a language no one understands Gibberish!

Over the years training actors to use Gibberish IE made up sound
language I have been amazed by what actually gets communicated by the
voice and the body. Indeed after practice and clear feedback about what
people get good gibberish speakers can communicate virtually anything in
nonsense language.  (except perhaps trade names). For further guidance
check out Viola Spolins improvisation for the theatre. 

I can well understand that seems too far out for someone not used to
that but I WOULD recommend actually trying a rehearsal of the intro IN
GIBBERISH without anyone there to discover which bits of the process are
being communicated not by the words but by other means to reassure you
people will get it in whatever language you are speaking.

Phelim

On 15 Dec 2006, at 21:29, Wendy Farmer-O'Neil wrote:

Hi Lisa,

Just some initial thoughts.
Once you hit five language groups you have gone from complicated to
complex!  No wonder your super brain is fried!  A complex challenge
requires a complex response: so why not Open Space for it? Would it be
possible to convene a small OS (or online) with representatives from
each of the groups both literate and non-literate, to create the action
plan for providing accessibility support?  I have had recent
conversations with both Brian B. and a GCP colleague, Marquis Bureau,
who have wrestled with some of these issues.  One of the insights we
uncovered was that these groups have ways of communicating and
functioning that are unknown to us and that we need to access their
expertise in oral/non-literate and minority language culture.

Cheers from another rainy coastland,
Wendy

  _____  

From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lisa
Heft
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2006 8:12 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Simultaneous translation at 5-language Open Space event [long]

Plenary - welcome, introduction of principles-law-process 
Lisa speaks English - so, I think, may the hosts
Solution
Other ideas?

Announcing topics and making those topic signs
What's Happening

(Question: we are all on headsets and I understand how on our headsets
is one translator - which is who we listened to when just Lisa was
speaking - what to do when we each must switch to then hearing a
translation *to* our own language *from* any one of 4 other languages?
One option is the lower-tech version where 5 translators are at
microphones and the convenor's session title is repeated 4 times)
Another issue: convenors may not all be able to read and write.  Over 50
or 60% in this conference will be able to read.  Shall we have all
session convenors come up to a table with 5 translators sitting at it,
tell their topic and have the translators write the languages on a
flip-chart page as the one topic sign?  And when their sign is done the
convenor walks with it into the center to announce her/his topic, and
other translators on headset (or in person at microphones) translate
that topic title verbally as they announce it?  And: how will
non-readers know what each session's set of topics is?  I could adjust
the design - we could do one round of announcing / sessions at a time,
so people could hear just one set of sessions announced, then break out
and go to those sessions, then reconvene in full circle as the next set
of sessions is announced, and so on.  There are probably 20 sessions
possible at a time.  Can people retain this sort of audio memory?
See how complicated I am making it?  Or am I solving the problem?  Other
ideas?

Discussion sessions(probably 20 discussion areas)
What's Happening

By the way, perhaps every person registering could receive colors for
their name badge indicating the languages they speak.  The translators
could also have colors on their badges. In this way the full group could
see how their language needs could be met by the people sitting around
them in addition to the roaming translators.  Other ideas?
___________________________________
Activity --  
Not all of these participants read and write. 
Solution
Other ideas?

Evening event
What's Happening

If the musicians sing something, the text could be pre-translated for
those who read.  But / and I somehow feel that art can be *felt*, as
well.  And I would like the graphic recorders to be creating
documentation during this activity, as well.  I am guessing we would
once again all be on headsets to hear the stories in our own languages.
Perhaps we should include ear massages, too!   ;o)
___________________________________

L i s a   H e f t
O p e n i n g  S p a c e
 <http://www.openingspace.net> www.openingspace.net

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