Cross-cultural meeting design LO10620

Michael McMaster (Michael@kbddean.demon.co.uk)
Mon, 21 Oct 1996 11:36:11 +0000

Replying to LO10595 --

I can share one thing from similar meetings that I discovered rather by
accident. First, give participants a covert signal (say put a hand flat
on top of your head or tug an earlobe) so they can indicate a need for
translation.

Second, ask another participant to do the translating - not necessarily
the one with the best English in that language group. Let the group
dialogue about it until it is gotten. Then have someone share the
resulting understanding in English for the whole group - and for leader
guidance.

I've just read a great interview of Arnold Mindelli (in Caduceus) who
wrote "Sitting in the Fire" (Lao Tse Press '95 Oregon) about his
experiences mediating between warring factions of gangs, countries, etc.
In that article he talks about marginalisation and use of power to
dominate - mainly unconscious domination - and points at how things like
"best use of English" can provide a subtle domination in groups.

I recommend you read him. He provides a great insight into our
unconscious domination and our unaware self entrappment (by our cultures)
in systems that we are trying to change but are actually perpetuating.

The movie "A Time to Kill" also demonstrates this beautifully when the
white lawyer says to the black client "we're friends" ... and the black
client lets him know that he is chosen because they are NOT friends but
because the white guy might be able to get the message across to other
whites (the enemy) in a way that a black lawyer never could.

At any rate, this all suggests that it is understanding through dialogue
that is important rather than clarity of language and ease of
understanding "the first time".

Good luck,

Mike

--
Michael McMaster :   Michael@kbdworld.com
book cafe site   :   http://www.vision-nest.com/BTBookCafe
"I don't give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity 
but I'd die for the simplicity on the other side of complexity." 
            attributed to Chief Justice Brandeis
 

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