Mutli-LIngual and non-primary Language Open space

[Harrison Owen]

Kaliay -- seems to me you really have two questions here, and I am not sure
which one your really want an answer to (or both?). Question 1 -- OS in a
non-English environment? Question 2 -- OS in an environment where multiple
languages are spoken?

The simple answer to # 1 is No Problem. Given the fact that OS has been used
some 100,000+ times in 124 countries, I think the verdict is probably in: It
works in any language. And specifically in terms of Japan, I can tell you on
the basis of personal experience -- works there too. In fact if you go there
and would like to have and OS in Japanese, contact my good friends at Human
Values (Tokyo), and particularly Emi Hota hotta at humanvalue.co.jp By the way,
they have also just published the Japanese version of "Open Space
Technology: A User's Guide." 

The answer to Question # 2 is also, No Problem -- but a detailed answer will
take a little time. First thing is that OS is so intuitive that even when
most of the people don't understand a word of the "opening" they will "get
it." I had a group in Latin America where Spanish was just about it. I don't
speak Spanish but with just a little bit of simultaneous translation,
everything worked just like usual. Things get a little more complicated when
you come to the various issue group in multiple languages. But that seems to
work too, very much in the spirit of a good international bar. If you want
to talk to somebody and don't share a common language, everybody else at the
bar will pitch in. Language buddies can also be helpful. And I am sure that
our international cast of characters will have lots of helpful suggestions.

And Last -- but not least --- WELCOME to the LIST!!!

Harrison

Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland   20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com 
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.ho-image.com 
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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Kaliya
Hamlin
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 7:19 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Mutli-LIngual and non-primary Language Open space

Hi Open Space LIst,

 I finally have joined.  At Nexus for change many open space practitioners
were talking about how wonderfully supportive this list was of their
practice and a real community.  

Part of the reason I joined is that I have a question that was not
answerable easily by searching the web. I would like to know about
expereinces and learning about open space where multiple Languages are used
and perhaps more importantly where many of the participants don't have the
primary language the Open Space is being run in don't have it as their first
language. 

I have brought Open Space into the stodgy standards world of the
International Telecommunications Union's Focus Group on Identity Management.
Although we have used it at one of the meetings there are those who remain
unconvinced of its potential and who are insisting that it "doesn't work"
for non-english as a first language speakers.  They are apparently
suggesting that when we have our meeting in Japan that the Open Space be run
in Japaness to prove to me that it doesn't work for these people.  (Like
sitting in a room for 8 hours a day reviewing english written Microsoft Word
documents projected on the front wall 'works' to deal successfully with the
complex world of telecommunications standards and regulations world wide.)

What I would like to know from people is how do you create a supportive
space for groups where many of the participants don't have english as a
primary language?

What are the guildelines/suggestions to put forward to both the first
language speakers? 
What are the guidlelines/suggesitons put forward to the as a second (or
third..) language participatnts.

Any other advise you have about this would be welcome. 

Regards,
 =Kaliay

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