[OSList] Bi-lingual open space

[Pernilla Luttropp]

Hi Harrison!
Thank you for all sharing your knowledge on this list, it helps me to evolve
and improve the spaces I¹m opening in Sweden.
I would like to suggest one less thing to do when working with bi- or multi
lingual open spaces; using flags as symbols for a language. There is  not
always a clear connection between the nation flag and one language,
sometimes that connection might even be the very cause for conflicts.

But then again; if nobody objects then it¹s probably not an issue in that
specific group.

Best
Pernilla, calling myself an Enabler (this week anyway)


Den 2012-03-03 17.40, skrev "Harrison Owen" <hhowen at verizon.net>:

> Chuni‹Several languages. Wonderful! Having been ³there² multiple times ­ once
> with 15 different languages ­ I have always found it the richest of
> experiences. If you follow all the wonderful, detailed suggestions of Lisa I
> know it will turn out just grand. But personally I find myself much closer to
> Katia. I guess that is not surprising considering my affection for thinking of
> one less thing to do.
>  
> My approach comes from some considerable experience in good international bars
> (go ahead and say something nasty about martinis J) ­ and one of the things I
> have always noticed and enjoyed was that as the evening went along, anybody
> who really wanted to talk to anybody else always managed to accomplish their
> desire. The conversation might take a little time and pass through multiple
> languages and persons, but the essential messages were always delivered. Self
> organization at work, I think.  And something else happened along the way.  As
> people were helping people they bonded in the process. By evening¹s end, total
> strangers had become pretty good friends. Doubtless the alcohol helped, but
> there was more than that ­ related to the fact that helping each other is a
> good thing in itself. And all of a sudden the disparate languages became a
> positive support for emerging community.
>  
> So I advocate using the Principles of a Good International Bar (Is that the
> 6th Principle?). When people want to communicate, they will do that and the
> effect of their effort goes way beyond the simple passage of words. To help
> out, I have used little lapel flags representing languages spoken (like the
> airlines) ­ so if you were looking for somebody who spoke Serbo-Croatian you
> might find them. This can help when you only have two languages ­ however, it
> is almost easier just to ask people (that is a nice civil thing to do).
> Bottom line in my experience is that language is a problem only if you make it
> one. If the people care, they will find a way, and be stronger for the effort.
>  
> Harrison  
>  
> 
> Harrison Owen
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
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> USA
>  
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>  
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>  
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> 
> From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
> [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of
> chunili2000 at yahoo.com
> Sent: Friday, March 02, 2012 9:29 PM
> To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
> Subject: [OSList] Bi-lingual open space
>  
> 
> Hello All,
> 
>  
> 
> I am working on a state-wide initiative to bring people together to address
> "How Can Creativity and Innovation Revitalize New Jersey."
> 
> One of the communities we are planning an open space for has a large Spanish
> speaking population. To host an inclusive event, we very much want to include
> these people who don't speak English.
> 
> Does anyone have experience organizing a bi-lingual open space?
> 
> Did you use a translator? Did you repeat everything in both languages? How did
> you handle the break-out discussions?
> 
>  
> 
> Thank you so much for sharing!
> 
>  
> 
> Chuni Li
> 
> New Jersey
> 
> 
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