Metaglossia: The Translation World

Caroline Montpetit Publié le 18 mai  "Enlevez un « f » aux difficultés, enlevez un « h » et un « m » aux hommes, et vous obtiendrez… une orthographe française simplifiée, accessible au plus grand nombre.

C’est en tout cas les conclusions du groupe de recherche EROFA (Études pour la rationalisation de l’orthographe française d’aujourd’hui), qui présentait ses résultats jeudi à l’Acfas. Dans le cadre de ses travaux, on étudie la suppression des consonnes doubles, comme dans « charrette » (alors qu’on écrit aussi « chariot »), celle de la terminaison du pluriel des mots en « x » (genou, pou, etc.), la disparition des lettres grecques (comme le « h » des hommes), mais aussi, et peut-être surtout, l’épineuse réforme des accords des participes passés.

Les fautes dans l’accord des participes passés arrivent en deuxième dans la liste des erreurs d’orthographe que font les étudiants d’université, selon une étude effectuée par Mireille Elchacar, de l’Université TELUQ, et Amélie-Hélène Rheault, de l’Université de Sherbrooke. L’une des suggestions avancées pour rendre cette règle grammaticale plus simple, est de supprimer tous les accords avec le verbe avoir. Cela réduirait d’un seul coup les « 14 pages » consacrées à l’usage des participes passés dans les grammaires utilisées en classe, relève Mme Elchacar. Par ailleurs, les fautes les plus courantes relevées dans cette étude sont celles de l’accord du pluriel, qui commande que l’on ajoute un « s » muet à la fin du mot.

Cet usage du « s » muet est un reliquat d’une langue française qui n’a pas été réformée adéquatement depuis des siècles, explique Mireille Elchacar en entrevue. « Il y a des centaines d’années, le “s” du pluriel en français se prononçait », dit-elle. C’est d’ailleurs toujours le cas en anglais, réputé pour être une langue plus accessible que le français.

Aujourd’hui, Mireille Elchacar souhaiterait qu’on remplace les 80 heures passées en milieu scolaire à enseigner les règles complexes du participe passé par 80 heures passées plutôt à étudier l’histoire de la langue.

Une langue écrite élitiste
Pour elle, la langue française écrite, par sa complexité, est élitiste. Ses complexités enchantent les initiés, qui trouvent, dans la maîtrise de l’orthographe, une certaine confirmation de leur statut social. Les autres n’y voient que des embûches, souvent jugées superflues, particulièrement chez les tenants d’une réforme en profondeur.

Alors que les autres langues ont mis leur orthographe à jour pour la coller au plus près de la langue orale, le français écrit est resté anormalement figé dans le temps, poursuit Mireille Elchacar.

« L’orthographe est censée s’adapter constamment à l’oral. Toutes les langues du monde mettent constamment leur orthographe à jour, sauf le français. C’est un problème. Parce que l’oral s’éloigne de plus en plus de l’écrit, et ça nous donne aussi l’impression que l’orthographe n’est pas censée bouger, ce qui n’est pas le cas. »

Dans la présentation des travaux de recherches de l’EROFA, Annie Desnoyers, de l’Université de Montréal, et Danièle Cogis, de l’Université Paris Ouest, démontrent comment des langues comme l’espagnol et l’italien sont restées au plus près de la langue orale. Ainsi, une « analyse », dont le nom en français a conservé la lettre grecque « y », s’écrit « analisis » en espagnol, « analisi » en italien, et « análise » en portugais. Toutes ces langues ont aussi supprimé le « h » contenu dans le mot français « arithmétique », par exemple.

Dans la réforme de l’orthographe proposée en 1990, déjà on avait ouvert la voie à la suppression des accents de certains mots, certaines consonnes doubles, les traits d’union, le pluriel des mots composés. Mais cette réforme n’allait pas assez loin, selon des experts, et elle était aussi inefficace.

« C’est très ciblé sur quelques mots, poursuit Mireille Elchacar. Les changements proposés sont très imparfaits, ils sont très incomplets et ils comptent beaucoup d’exceptions. »

L’esthétique de la langue
Si minimes qu’ils soient, les changements proposés en 1990 ont quand même provoqué un tollé. L’animateur Bernard Pivot, décédé récemment, avait accepté toute la réforme à l’exception de la suppression de l’accent circonflexe.

« Si vous vous mettez à supprimer les circonflexes, les deux points, les accents aigus, etc., vous allez complètement changer l’esthétique de la langue. Les grammairiens qui avaient proposé cela n’étaient pas du tout sensibles à cet aspect », disait-il au Magazine littéraire en 2019.

Également présente au colloque, la chercheuse Cléo Mathieu, chargée de cours à l’Université McGill, a présenté les résultats d’un sondage mené autour de la question de la réforme de l’usage des participes passés. Curieusement, les 16 à 19 ans qu’elle a interrogés ont montré une aussi forte résistance aux changements de grammaire que les aînés de plus de 55 ans.

« C’est moins étonnant que des personnes plus âgées soient réticentes à changer leurs habitudes. Mais ça m’a étonné de la part des témoins de 16 à 19 ans. Je croyais que, comme ils sont encore aux prises avec les difficultés de l’accord du participe passé, ils voudraient le réformer. Mais en réalité, on se retrouvait avec de plus forts taux de résistance. Certaines affirmations indiquaient qu’ils avaient peur de perdre leurs acquis », dit-elle. De façon générale, 39,2 % des répondants à son enquête étaient plutôt en désaccord avec une réforme des participes passés, et 41,7 % étaient plutôt en accord : des résultats serrés. De façon générale, son échantillon portait sur des gens plus instruits que la moyenne.

Coûts sociaux
Pour Mireille Elchacar, les difficultés de la langue française écrite génèrent des coûts sociaux énormes mésestimés. Ce sont bien sûr les gens moins instruits, souvent au bas de l’échelle sociale, qui sont davantage pénalisés par les difficultés de la langue française écrite.

« On se retrouve avec un système qui, malheureusement, cause beaucoup de problèmes sociaux, dit-elle. On peut aller à l’école pendant très longtemps et encore faire beaucoup de fautes. Ça peut causer du découragement, de l’insécurité linguistique, voire du décrochage scolaire. Ça n’est pas un problème anodin. Il y a aussi les nouveaux arrivants. La francisation des nouveaux arrivants, c’est très compliqué. Il y a beaucoup d’étudiants qui espèrent faire leur vie en allant à l’université. Et ils semblent bloqués parce qu’ils ne réussissent pas les tests de classement pour entrer à l’université. »"

#metaglossia_mundus

"Slowing down can be a faster way to achieve your goals. Fighting our urge to live fast can lead to clearer thinking, deeper connections, and better mental health.

Anne-Laure Le Cunff

Hustle culture uses speed as a measure of performance. How fast can you ship a new feature? How many prospective clients can you call in an hour? How much of your day can you devote to work? If you’re not fast, are you even being productive? This harmful mindset results in burnout, poor decision-making, and bad communication.

It may seem counterintuitive, but slowing down can be a faster way to achieve your goals. Fighting our urge to live and work faster can lead to clearer thinking, deeper connections, and better mental health.

Slowing down to go further

The illusory imperative to keep up with everyone else is hurting us. Faster is not always better — far from it. By slowing down, you can build three key pillars to rely on in your life and work.

• Intentionality. When we focus on speed, we may blindly follow a path that may not be the most efficient one to reach our goals — whether it’s a path dictated by others, or one that seems the most obvious. Slowing down allows us to be more intentional when making decisions and executing our plans.
• Quality. Being fast allows us to do more. But “doing more” does not equal “doing what’s best”. Doing things slower means we can increase the quality of the output, and even sometimes of the experience itself. Would you design a more polished feature if you had two days, or if you had two weeks? Would you enjoy a landscape better if you are driving over the speed limit, or if you are taking a leisurely walk? Would you learn more about a friend if you had a quick chat, or a long conversation? Of course, we may not always have the luxury of slowness, but we should make a conscious effort to question artificial time constraints.
• Sustainability. Consistent effort over time is more sustainable than pushing your limits to work as fast as possible. To do our best work, we need mental downtime, space for self-reflection, and a realistic schedule we can actually keep up with.

Overall, slowing down will help you make better decisions, connect deeper with people, have more meaningful experiences, all while improving your mental well-being by avoiding burnout. You may go slower, but you will go further.

Injecting slowness in all areas of your life

There are many areas of our lives where we could benefit from slowing down, some more obvious than others.

• Food. Numerous studies suggest that eating fast is linked to obesity. For instance, a survey of more than 50,000 in China showed that fast eating children were more likely to be obese, and to have a higher energy intake from fast food. On the other hand, eating slowly has been associated with lower hunger and lower calorie intake in healthy people. 腹八分目 (pronounced hara hachi bun me which translates to “eat until your belly is 80% full” ) is a common practice in Okinawa, which has the world’s highest proportion of centenarians. Since your brain takes around 20 minutes to register that you’re full, you can only do this if you eat slowly. Practice mindful eating by chewing chewing more, drinking sips of water, and paying attention to the taste and texture of your food.
• Communication. In his book The Stress Solution, clinical psychologist Arthur Ciaramicoli explains: “We learn to become more empathic when we slow down, become present, and are fully committed to understanding another person’s uniqueness.”
• Fashion. It may not immediately come to mind, but your closet is another place where you can inject more slowness. Professor Hazel Clark from the Parsons School of Design defines slow fashion as “the valuing of local resources and distributed economies; transparent production systems with less intermediation between producer and consumer; and sustainable and sensorial products that have a longer usable life and are more highly valued than typical consumables.” Slow fashion is more ethical and more sustainable. Shop less often, focus on timeless designs, and take your time to buy better quality garments that will last longer.
• Exercise. While high-intensity exercise is all the craze, research suggests moderate-intensity, low-impact activity (such as yoga and walking) is just as effective as high-impact activity (such as running) in lowering the risk of heart disease. If you already exercise regularly, make sure to slow down from time to time and to take days off so your body can rest. And don’t beat yourself up if you’re not into jumping jacks and sprinting, there are plenty of slower exercises that can benefit your health.
• Decision-making. Rushed thinking may lead to bad decisions. Slowing down allows us to be more deliberate when considering our options. As Eknath Easwaran puts it: “By slowing down, we can train the mind to focus completely in the present. Then we will find that we can function well whatever the difficulties. That is what it means to be stress-proof: not avoiding stress but being at our best under pressure, calm, cool, and creative in the midst of the storm.”

Whatever area of your life you are targeting, making space for self-reflection is crucial. Helpful methods to slow down include journaling, meditation, and taking breaks. Speed may sometimes be a goal in and of itself, but it should be an intentional goal rather than an automatic need to “keep up” with others.

An easy trick to slow down is to ask: “Why the rush?” and to take a step back. Is speed really adding to the quality of the output? Again, in some rare cases, it may be the case. For instance, if you work as a journalist for an outlet, it makes sense to work as fast as possible for breaking news announcements. However, you will find that many goals would be better achieved by being more intentional."

#metaglossia_mundus: https://nesslabs.com/the-benefits-of-slowing-down

 

"Top 5 Benefits of Slow Living – Part 1

Nowadays, the majority of us spend so much of our time on autopilot, rushing from one duty in our hectic lives to the next, and getting caught up in the repetitive rat race of our job, school, chores, and family, that we fail to see how quickly time is passing.

Unfortunately, many of us get stuck in the belief that our accomplishments and excess of material possessions define who we are. However, it’s time for all of us to learn how to take things a little slower, stop to consider what really matters, and be present when it counts. Living slowly has benefits for all of us.

What is a slow life?

At first, a ‘slow life’ may sound boring to you. It could appear unproductive or even reckless.  However, changing over to a slow life for yourself might be the most amazing and liberating thing you’ve ever done.

A slow life is a method of living and a mentality that encourages living at a more leisurely pace. It is believed to have originated in Italy when there was a large emphasis placed on ‘slow food movement’, which focused heavily on how slow, home-cooked meals are far better for you and your health than fast food.

The slow living movement is based on the same principle. The benefits to your general health of taking the time to breathe, appreciate life, and do things well are considerably greater. You’ll have the time and energy you require to live your life fully and be the person you were put here on this world to be, if you keep things simple and organised.

Benefits of slow living

While there are so many advantages to slow living, we can categorise the majority of them into five basic groups:

• Improved Health
• Reduced anxiety and stress
• Stronger connections
• More time for your favourite activities
• A rise in general contentment

The truth is that each of us only has one life to live, and as we race to cross things off our to-do lists, that life is slipping away. It’s time to calm down your pace of life.

1-Improved Health

The physical wellness of your body will benefit from moving more slowly. Consider the daily activities you would enjoy if you had the time. Does going for a walk outside, riding a bike, or going to the beach come to mind?

Many of us tend to picture ourselves outside, taking in the beauty of nature when we think of a calm, joyful, and leisurely way of life.

Going outside will raise your heart rate, boost your mood and vitality, and the lovely sun (in moderation) will give you all the Vitamin D you require. Because it strengthens our bones, fights disease-causing free radicals, and is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and bones, vitamin D is vital for our bodies.

A slow life is beneficial for your body for many reasons, not only the fact that nature plays a significant part in health and wellbeing. Living slowly will give you the time to make wiser, healthier decisions, like cooking more balanced meals at home and avoiding the drive-through.

2-Reduced Anxiety & Stress

Everyone seems to encounter stress, anxiety, or depression at some point in their lives, but more individuals than ever before suffer from these mental diseases over an extended period of time, and these conditions can have a significant impact on your life.

People who lead slower lives typically breathe more deeply, feel more at ease, and feel less hurried. Making time to take in your surroundings is a terrific approach to psychologically relax and put the stress behind you.

Living slowly provides you more opportunity to view each circumstance in a different perspective and enables you to deal with one problem at a time, even though there is no way to escape life and some of the stress it tends to bring.

3-Stronger connections

Although some relationship problems are unavoidable, altering the dynamics of a failed relationship can reduce divorce rates and enhance your ability to connect with others.

Any relationship, whether it be with your spouse, child, workplace, etc., can be severely strained by stress and anxiety. For you to feel balanced and content, all of these connections must function properly together. You struggle to focus, manage your emotions, and even be reasonable when you’re stressed or anxious.

We miss out on the crucial things that matter to us the most when we spend our lives fitting into a time limit, a deadline, or a number of goals. Pressing pause from time-to-time allows us to spend more meaningful time with our loved ones.

4-More time for favourite activities

What is your favourite hobby that helps you relax and unwind? Imagine having more time to do this?

Have you ever told yourself, “Next week, I’m going to sign up for that art class I’ve been wanting to try out,” or “This summer, I’m going to take that weekend getaway I’ve been planning for years”? When the time arrives and winter gradually sets in, do you realise that it never happened?

You only get one chance in this life, so live it up and make the most of it. Why keep passing on those holidays or hobbies that you could fall in love with and make amazing memories?

One of the most crucial aspects of leading a leisurely life is making time for YOU. Finding yourself, loving yourself, and, when necessary, forgiving yourself. Let’s try to live without regret.

5-More Content

This one speaks for itself! The evidence above makes it quite clear that leading a slower paced life encourages general happiness and wellbeing.

Simply being able to pace yourself and not feel pressure to go from one task to the next can make you feel happier and lead to a more successful and prosperous life.

How do I live a slow life?

While we have discussed and seen the benefits of slow living, how do we make this a reality? It may sound easier said than done. Stay tuned for part 2 next week, entitled: “How to live a slow successful life’.

In the meantime, if you are struggling with a mental health condition and want to get back to feeling your best self and enjoying life, we can help. Our team of experienced psychologists are here to guide you and offer practical suggestions and coping techniques to help you find your way. To book, click here or call our friendly reception team on 1800 327 477 (AU) / 0800 327 477 (NZ)."

#metaglossia_mundus

"Get inspired by the slow living movement with this collection of simple and slow living quotes by great thinkers, such as Brooke McAlary and Carl Honoré.

by Slow Living LDN

 • 13th May 2024

These carefully curated simple and slow living quotes are whispers from those who have explored the benefits of living slowly. They include quotes from key thinkers on the slow movement, such as Carl Honoré and the man attributed to the birth of the slow food movement, Carlo Petrini. You’ll also find quotes from SLOW by Brooke McAlary and thoughts around the meaning of minimalism from Leo Babauta, founder of blog Zen Habits. These aren’t just words; they’re reminders to be present and refocus your time on what’s most important to you.

We’re frequently updating and curating this article as we come across new quotes in slow living books, interviews, and even song lyrics. Most recently, we’ve added quotes from the inspiring titles we’re featuring as part of the Slow Living LDN. book club, such as beautifully crafted phrases from Slow Seasons by Rosie Steer and Slow Productivity by Cal Newport.

Our collection also includes quotes about slowing down which are inspired by other tenets of the slow movement, such as slow interiors. What each quote has in common is a belief that slowing down offers many of the answers around how to live a more meaningful and considered lifestyle. Find out which one resonates with you most below.

“The great benefit of slowing down is reclaiming the time and tranquility to make meaningful connections–with people, with culture, with work, with nature, with our own bodies and minds” 

Carl Honoré, In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed

Go with the slow

Unknown, but appeared in Flow Magazine

“Slow living is all about creating time and space and energy for the things that matter most to us in life, so ask yourself what you stand to gain.” 

Brooke McAlary, quoted in Stylist

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.”

Mahatma Gandhi

 

“Slow living isn’t about determining how little we can live with – it’s about working out what we simply can’t live without.”

Nathan Williams, The Kinfolk Home

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

Lao Tzu

“The misconception that energy is constant leads us to believe we’re able to rush things, that a faster pace means we’ll get more done.”

Amy Arthur, Pace Yourself

” …slow living is not about living your life in slow motion; it’s about doing everything at the right speed and pacing instead of rushing. By that same logic, slow living is not about losing time by going slowly; it’s about gaining time by doing the things that are most important to you.”

Kayleigh Dray, Stylist

“…to be slow means that you govern the rhythms of your life. You are in control of deciding how fast you have to go.”

Carlo Petrini, quoted in Fast Company

“Slowing down isn’t about protesting work. It’s instead about finding a better way to do it.”

Cal Newport, Slow Productivity

“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.”

Lily Tomlin

“Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.”

Mae West

“Slow living is less of a style and more a deeply personal mentality.”

Nathan Williams, The Kinfolk Home

“Be a curator of your life. Slowly cut things out until you’re left only with what you love, with what’s necessary, with what makes you happy.”

Leo Babauta, The Effortless Life: A Manual for Contentment, Mindfulness, & Flow

“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.”

Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living

“It’s in the obsession over what you’re producing that slowness that can transcend its role as just one more strategy on the arid battlegrounds of work-life wars and become a necessary imperative – an engine that drives a meaningful professional life.”

Cal Newport, Slow Productivity

“Slowing down is sometimes the best way to speed up.” 

Mike Vance

“Slow down, you’re doing fine, you can’t be everything you wanna be before your time.”

Billy Joel, lyrics from ‘Vienna’ (The song saw a surge in popularity due to Instagram reels.)

 

“Slow living provides an opportunity to step back, pay attention, and question the ways we use technology, to recalibrate our relationship with the constantly switched-on, logged-in world.”

Brooke McAlary, SLOW

“In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life.”

Plato

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“In the 1980s, simplicity was seen primarily as “downshifting” or pulling back from the rat race of consumer society. Several decades later, there is a growing recognition of simplicity as “upshifting”—or moving beyond the rat race to the human race.”

Duane Elgin, quoted by Eco Walk the Talk

“Shifting the mind into lower gear can bring better health, inner calm, enhanced concentration and the ability to think more creatively.”

Carl Honoré, In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed

“Hygge is humble and slow. It is choosing rustic over new, simple over posh and ambience over excitement. In many ways, hygge might be the Danish cousin to slow and simple living.”

Meik Wiking, The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living

“The things that matter most should never be at the mercy of the things that matter least.”

Goethe

“The central tenet of the Slow philosophy is taking the time to do things properly, and thereby enjoy them more.”

Carl Honoré, In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed

“We’re a species that rushes through everything, then complains that time flies.”

Steve Maraboli

 

“The way to capture the moment is to slow down and look within, to simplify and celebrate the everyday.”

Rosie Steer, Slow Seasons

“Slow living is a curious mix of being prepared and being prepared to let go. Caring more and caring less. Saying yes and saying no. Being present and walking away. Doing the important things and forgetting those that aren’t.” 

Brooke McAlary, SLOW

Looking for more inspiration?

Head to our Instagram page for more inspiration on how to live better, not faster.

“Slow down in your pursuit of happiness and it’s more likely to catch up with you.”

Ernie J Zelinski

“Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest.”

Leo Babauta

“Whether you’re in the countryside or the city, so much daily magic can be found – you just have to stop, slow down, and look around.“

Rosie Steer, Slow Seasons

“When we rush, we skim the surface, and fail to make real connections with the world or other people.”

Carl Honoré, In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed

“The idea of the modern has been superseded; the challenge today is to return to the small scale, the hand made, to local distribution – because today what we call ‘modern’ is out of date.”

Carlo Petrini, quoted in The Independent

“Doing a huge number of things doesn’t mean you’re getting anything meaningful done.”

Leo Babauta, The Power Of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential

“Urban life itself acts as a giant particle accelerator. When people move to the city, they start to do everything faster.” 

Carl Honoré, In Praise Of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed

“Simplicity is not about deprivation. Simplicity is about a greater appreciation for things that really matter.”

Unknown

“Living ‘Slow’ just means doing everything at the right speed – quickly, slowly, or at whatever pace delivers the best results.”

Carl Honoré

“There is only today, with holes in our pockets, with time spilling out. We cannot keep it for tomorrow.”

Erin Loechner, Chasing Slow

“The way to capture the moment is to slow down and look within, to simplify and celebrate the everyday.”

Rosie Steer, Slow Seasons

“We need to build a pause into our decision making and be more considered – from goods, media, marketing and messages, to unwanted advice and opinions, which sometimes are our own.”

Natalie Walton, Still: The Slow Home

“The slow philosophy is not about doing everything in tortoise mode. It’s less about the speed and more about investing the right amount of time and attention in the problem so you solve it.“

Carl Honoré

“We may feel productive when we’re constantly switching between things, constantly doing something, but in all honesty, we’re not. We’re just distracted.”

Leo Babauta

As these quotes remind us, slow living isn’t about living at a snail’s pace, it’s about assigning the right amount of time to the things that matter to us.

For more inspiration around slowing down, read our complete guide on how to slow down which discusses how to put your values at the heart of your lifestyle, ideas for moments of everyday deceleration and living consciously.

If you’re new to the slow movement, don’t miss these slow living books. Many of the inspiring slow living quotes featured here are from the authors and minds behind these books."

#metaglossia_mundus

"Nativeness is a binary concept —Invasiveness and its management are not
Francisco J. Oficialdegui a, Josie South b c, Franck Courchamp d, Miguel Clavero e
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110631Get rights and content
Highlights
• The concept of nativeness is central in biodiversity conservation, yet it sparks debate.

• Nativeness is a binary property of a species in a place.

•Environmental management deals mainly with invasiveness, which should not be defined in binary terms.

•Simple terminology enhances both scientific communication and manager's actions.

Abstract

In interdisciplinary fields such as biodiversity conservation or invasion science —where multiple perspectives from diverse disciplines often need to converge for effective environmental management, it is crucial to minimise terminological confusion in order to understand and transmit concepts accurately. The diversity of perspectives can exert a substantial influence on defining key terms in those interdisciplinary fields, potentially resulting in confusion. A lively topic within invasion science concerns the definitions of nativeness, non-nativeness, and invasiveness. While some academics dismiss the nativeness concept because it cannot be objectively defined, others advocate for its categorization, and a third perspective posits it as a binary term. Here we argue the inherent binary nature of nativeness, even when our capacity to observe is challenging. Nativeness (and consequently, non-nativeness) is an intrinsic and binary property of a species (i.e. the set of populations of a species) in a place, which should remain a central piece of information in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. In contrast, invasiveness, which relies on quantitative metrics (including abundance, spread, or impacts), should not be defined on binary terms. This underscores the importance of offering diverse, context-specific management strategies to deal with it. We illustrate the consistency of nativeness' binary nature and the need to rely on diverse management options to address different invasion scenarios with the example of the freshwater crayfish in the Iberian Peninsula."

#metaglossia_mundus

"Non-English speakers can face big communication challenges in medical settings: being unable to convey personal information, understand medical jargon and follow treatment instructions. These challenges can result in misunderstandings, or worse, in misdiagnoses. Phoenix hospitals work at preventing problems like this by providing interpretation and translation services in many different languages.

By Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News

Published: Friday, May 17, 2024 

Non-English speakers can face big communication challenges in medical settings: being unable to convey personal information, understand medical jargon and follow treatment instructions. These challenges can result in misunderstandings, or worse, in misdiagnoses. Phoenix hospitals work at preventing problems like this by providing interpretation and translation services in many different languages.

About 2 million Arizonans speak a language other than English, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, although it is not clear how many would be considered non-English speakers. Over 1.3 million speak Spanish; more than 130,000 speak another Indo-European language; 150,000 speak an Asian or Pacific Island language; and 160,000 speak other languages.

Phoenix hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic, Valleywise Health, Abrazo Health and Banner Health, have established services for interpretation that can cover dozens of different languages. When a hospital’s language department is unable to directly provide interpretation and translation services, third-party providers will step in.

Two medical professionals shared their experiences on how language services change health care accessibility for many underserved people who could fall through the cracks.

Banner Health Estrella: Elsa Perez

Elsa Perez is a Spanish-language medical interpreter at Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix.

 

Elsa Perez is a Spanish-language medical interpreter at Banner Health Estrella. She knows the challenges a language barrier can present. She interpreted for her parents during doctor visits, speaking to them in Spanish and trying to answer questions health providers asked in English.

“It could be something as simple as, ‘Have you had a bowel movement?’ I don’t know what that was as a 10-, 11-year-old kid,” Perez said. Doctors would reword their questions, but it was still difficult to convey the message to her parents.

After a career working for the state, Perez looked into working in the medical field and found a position for a Spanish-language medical interpreter.

“I thought, ‘Hey, I already know the language. I kind of already know what I’m doing,’” she said. She took classes and realized that she did not know Spanish well enough to do the job, saying that she spoke more “street Spanish” than “school Spanish.” She overcame that challenge.

As a Spanish-language medical interpreter, her work helps patients who don’t know English to understand the information doctors give.

“It’s a great deal of help,” she said, “because they’re getting all the information, all their medication, all their diagnostics in their own language so they can understand.”

She still faces challenges. For example, she said people speak many different versions of Spanish: Mexican Spanish, Dominican Spanish and Puerto Rican Spanish, to name just a few. This can cause misunderstandings between medical staff and the patient.

“One little word can mean (something) totally different in Puerto Rico or Colombia,” she said.

She recalls a case when a diabetic patient’s sugar levels weren’t going down and doctors couldn’t understand why. He was doing everything by the book: He had a good diet, took his insulin and his medication. After two or three appointments, Perez realized that the patient, who was from Puerto Rico, was drinking about a gallon of orange juice a day. This wasn’t caught because he referred to orange juice as “green tea.”

Perez says interpreters and translators have to be ready for any situation.

Valleywise Health: Martha Martinez

Martha Martinez is the manager of language services at Valleywise Health in Phoenix.

 

“I remember doctors — I guess because of my name, my last name and my skin color — they would say, ‘Oh, I think you speak Spanish. Can you please help me with interpretations?’” she said. “Without being trained, without knowing, really, medical terminology, I would do my best to help the doctors.”

A misdiagnosis by a bilingual medical professional, however, prompted Martinez to become an interpreter. The medical professional said that Martinez had a sexually transmitted disease, whereas she actually had a urinary tract infection. What made the experience worse was that this professional told her “You shouldn’t be playing around with men.” Martinez’s husband was present for the whole interaction.

“I couldn’t say anything,” she said. She explained that when she came to the United States and people didn’t speak her language, Spanish, she just took whatever they would say. “You just don’t fight. You just don’t ask.”

That event inspired Martinez to go to school, learn medical terminology and many years later, she became manager of language services at Valleywise Health. She wants everyone to get the right medical information. She also wants to advance cultural sensitivity because it plays such an important part in medical care.

She recalls a case when a woman came in with various issues. The patient had gone to a yerberia — an herbal remedy store — and it turned out that the herbs she took were interacting with her medication.

“The doctor was asking all the questions,” Martinez said, “but he never took in consideration our culture, where sometimes we take herbs.”

The interpretation services at Valleywise Health will be Martinez’s legacy.

“Back 30 years ago, there were no programs (to train interpreters),” she said. “Now, it’s a career.”

She knows her work has an impact.

“Young generations will say, ‘Wow, you know, that’s good for you,’” she said. “I guess my generation would say, ‘We’re so proud of you, you being a Latina and doing this for the whole community. It’s wonderful.’”

Phoenix hospitals provide other services to break the language barrier in health care. In addition to interpreters and translators, both Valleywise Health and Banner Health offer over-the-phone and video services. Banner utilizes VRIs (video remote interpreters) while Valleywise uses iLISA (Language Interpretation Services Anywhere)."

#metaglossia_mundus

Goutamkumar Oinam  "Meitei language, also known as Manipuri, is the official language of Manipur state, Assam state as well as a constitutional language (at national level) of the Republic of India, besides being a recognised literary and academic language of Tripura state. It is supported in numerous machine translation apps and webs, but to choose which one is the most accurate isn’t an easy task. Hmm… Let’s have a mini survey!

 

One point to be noted is that Meitei is also known as Manipuri, Meetei, Meithei, Meiteilon, Meeteilon, Kanglei, and many more. So, in different apps and webs, either of these mentioned popular synonyms might be used. So, when you type one name and don’t find it, well, take a second look! It’s not much difficult too!

 

Here, for the specimen purpose, I am taking a sentence “Manipur is a wonderful place.” The same sentence will be used for translation in all the apps and webs. Some use Meetei Mayek script (mni-Mtei), or Bengali script (mni-Beng), or Latin script (mni-Latn), where “mni” stands for “Manipuri” and the rest of the code words refer to the respective writing systems.

 

Google Translate?

Google Translate uses Meitei Mayek script for Meitei language. It has a mid level of accuracy, neither high nor low. For words of advanced terminology of the very language, Google Translate usually just transliterate instead of translate. In the above image, Google is translating “Manipur is a wonderful place” as “ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔ ꯑꯁꯤ ꯑꯉꯀꯄꯥ ꯃꯐꯝ ꯑꯃꯅꯤ꯫” (manipur asi angakapa mapham amani.) Here, spelling mistakes are found, and it happens frequently in many more cases for the very language. But the way of expressing the sentence structure is average.

If it is to be rated, then it will have 3.5 out of 5 points.

 

Microsoft Translator?

Microsoft Translator uses both Meetei Mayek script as well as Latin script for translating from English to Manipuri, but for vice versa (Manipuri to English), Latin script is disabled. It has an outstanding performance in the usage of diverse vocabularies. There is a significantly little amount of spelling mistake. Here, “Manipur is a wonderful place” is translated as “ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔ ꯑꯁꯤ ꯌꯥꯝꯅ ꯐꯖꯕ ꯃꯐꯝ ꯑꯃꯅꯤ꯫” (manipur asi yaamna phajaba mapham amani.) Accuracy level is not perfect but still fairly good.

If it is to be rated, then it will have 4 out of 5 points.

 

Bhashini ???

 

 

Bhashini, a project of the Government of India, uses Meetei Mayek script for Meitei language. Its algorithm is used by AI4Bharat (Artificial-Intelligence-For-Bhārat), an AI technology platform developed by IIT Madras in collaboration with the Government of India. Bhashini allows both male and female voice output technology for Meitei language. There is a little level of spelling mistakes. Its translation accuracy is pretty much the same as that of Microsoft Translator, that is fairly good.

Here, “Manipur is a wonderful place” is translated as “ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔ ꯑꯁꯤ ꯐꯖꯔꯕ ꯃꯐꯝ ꯑꯃꯅꯤ ꯫” (manipur asi phajaraba mapham amani.) Wordings are unique from other translation apps and webs.

If it is to be rated, then it will have 4 out of 5 points.

 

Glosbe Translate ???

Glosbe Translate uses Bengali script for Meitei language. Its translation accuracy is fairly good and spelling mistakes are rare.

Here, “Manipur is a wonderful place” is translated as “মনিপুর অসি য়াম্না ফবা মফম অমনি।” (manipur asi yaamna phaba mapham amani.) Though not perfect, still understandable level of the language vocabulary is used.

If it is to be rated, then it will have 4 out of 5 points.

 

Modern MT ???

 

Modern MT uses Bengali script for Meitei language. As of mid 2024, translation accuracy is pretty low, though it is significantly improving from the previous time. However, spelling mistakes are less in comparison to wording errors. Most of the sentence translation results lack accuracy, but it is pretty good for single word translations.

Here, “Manipur is a wonderful place” is translated as “মনিপুর অসি য়াম্না নুংঙাইবা মফম অমনি ।” (manipur asi yaamna nungngaiba mapham amani.) Though relatable words are used, it still can’t translate perfectly even in this simple short sentence.

If it is to be rated, then it will have 2 out of 5 points.

Others ???

There are many other translation services, like Copilot of Bing AI, ELRA CATALOG, etc.

Copilot of Bing AI is highly irregular for Meitei language. Sometimes, it uses Bengali script, and sometimes, in Meitei script, and sometimes in Latin script, and sometimes completely fails to translate. What you need to do is to say “Translate the following into Manipuri : … … …” and type your sentence or word in English. For reverse, that is from Manipuri to English, it seems to be not functioning as of mid 2024.

If it is to be rated, then it will have 2 out of 5 points.

 

So, this is just an overview of some of the most widely used machine translation apps and webs for Meitei language. The ratings are my personal opinion, based on my observations and might be different from others. Hope this small piece of information will help the language enthusiasts, learners and students of Meitei language to some extent. Cheers! :-)"

#metaglossia_mundus

"The proliferation of international streaming services is driving a thriving cottage industry of adaptations for various cultures.

BY SCOTT ROXBOROUGH

MAY 18, 2024 11:00AM

Alongside the hundreds of original movies being shopped up and down the Croisette during Cannes’ Marché du Film, the market for remakes — local-language adaptations of established hits — is quietly booming. 

We’re not only talking about the international-to-English remakes such as Oscar winner Coda — an adaptation of 2014 French-language dramedy La Famille Bélier — or Chris Rock’s planned U.S. take on Thomas Vinterberg’s 2020 Danish Oscar winner Another Round. International-to-international remakes are, if anything, an even bigger business. Jia Ling’s Chinese blockbuster YOLO, which has grossed $479 million (RMB 3.4 billion), is a remake of the 2014 Japanese film 100 Yen Love. The Italian couples comedy-drama Perfect Strangers from 2016 has been spun off into more than 20 local-language adaptations worldwide.

 

“There’s a rising trend of adaptations across various languages,” says Marché du Film executive director Guillaume Esmiol, noting that “remakes are injecting a fresh dynamism into the film industry.” 

On Monday, May 20, the Marché will hold a one-day event focused entirely on local-language adaptations, presenting a curated selection of ready-for-remake titles from France, Spain and Italy. 

While there’s nothing new about remaking a hit movie from one country to speak to an audience in a different one — Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot (1959) started out life as French original Fanfare d’amour (1935), and Sergio Leone remade Akira Kurosawa’s samurai epic Yojimbo (1961) as spaghetti Western classic A Fistful of Dollars (1964) — the global remake business has gotten a boost from global streaming services. Platforms in need of original stories to appeal to local audiences find remaking a proven hit can be a shortcut in the development process. 

“Developing an original script can take three to five years, and streamers don’t have the time to wait,” says Danielle Raaphorst of sales outfit Incredible Film, which handles remake rights for mainstream Dutch features, including multicultural comedy De Tatta’s. Belga Films is remaking that film for France, with Guy Laurent (Serial Bad Weddings) working on the script. 

“Development money is really where the risk is,” says Philippe Rousselet, president of Vendôme Pictures, the French group behind La Famille Bélier, “so having something that has been proven to work looks more appealing than starting from scratch.”

 

 

Thrillers and crime dramas are among the most popular genres to remake. See Wrath of Man (2021), the Guy Ritchie/Jason Statham remake of the 2004 French action thriller Cash Truck, or Liam Neeson vehicle Retribution (2023), adapted from Dani de la Torre’s 2015 Spanish feature El desconocido. “Basically these films are very mechanical, and if they have great mechanics, they can work everywhere without much adaptation,” says Rousselet. 

Remaking comedies or straight dramas can be harder to do. “It can be quite difficult to find the right melody, the right music for each country. A good concept is not enough,” Rousselet admits. But funny films, in particular, often work better as remakes than in dubbed or subtitled versions where the jokes get lost in translation. A well-adapted comedy remake adjusts scenes and dialogue to better fit local humor. Vendôme scored a hit in France with Two Is a Family (2016) starring Omar Sy that was adapted from Mexican hit Instructions Not Included (2013) and grossed close to $50 million in Europe. 

“Comedy is so specific to the local culture that adaptations often make more sense than bringing in the originals,” says Raaphorst, who sold Dutch dramedy De Marathon to Germany, where it was remade as local TV movie Werkstatt Helden. “You can also cast local comedy stars who are better known in that country than the actors in the original film.” 

What doesn’t work, says Rousselet, is trying to sell two versions of the same story to the same audience. “The Upside, which was a remake of the French hit Intouchables, had Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston, but it wasn’t even released in France,” he says. “If you’ve had one movie that was successful, the audience won’t come out to see the same story in another language.”"

#metaglossia_mundus: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/local-language-film-remakes-market-boom-1235902597/

"Introduction: The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) is a self-rated questionnaire that assesses medication compliance.

Aim: This study aimed to validate the Malaysian language translation of the MARS (MARS-M).

Method: The original scale was translated to Malay via forward and backward translation process. The psychometric properties of the MARS-M were validated on clinical samples (N = 54).

Results: The MARS-M was filled by 54 participants. Exploratory factor analysis supported a two-factor model. Factor 1 of the MARS-M consisted of four items (α = 0.84), while factor 2 consisted of three items (α = 0.78). Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.60, and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (X2 (28) = 66.4, p <0.001).

Conclusion: The MARS-M is reliable and valid.

 

Methods

Translation Process

The MARS was translated into Malay via forward and backward translation process. Permission to translate the MARS was obtained from the author. The original MARS was translated from English to Malaysian language by a group of psychiatrists proficient in both English and Malaysian languages to produce MARS-M-I. MARS-M-I was then translated back to English by another group of psychiatrists who are proficient in both languages to produce MARS-MII. MARS-M-II was compared with the original MARS by a team of experts comprising a psychiatrist, psychiatry registrar, and senior medical officer in the psychiatry department. Further editing by the team was done to produce MARS-M-III. Pilot testing for MARS-M-III was done on 30 participants at the psychiatry clinic in a local hospital. Participants were diagnosed with brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder. To ensure accurate translation of items, the participants were asked about their understanding of the meaning of each item and checked for words or sentences that were confusing or difficult to understand. This was to ensure that the semantic meaning of each item on the scale was retained. This process produced the final version of MARS-M (see Appendix).

Participants and Data Collection Process

The validation study of MARS-M was done on clinical samples in Hospital Kajang, Malaysia. The participants were recruited via systematic randomization. Inclusion criteria were adult patients diagnosed with brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder. The participants were able to read and understand Bahasa Malaysia. Those who experienced psychotic symptoms or suicidal intent requiring acute intervention and those with neurocognitive disorder or intellectual disability were excluded from the study. Intellectual disability is defined by the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-5, which is a disorder of both intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits with a childhood onset [12]. All the participants were required to provide consent prior to participation in the study. The participants were required to fill up the sociodemographic form and MARS-M. This study received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of the National Medical Research Registry, Malaysia (NMRR ID-22-02648-OHA).

Research instrument

MARS-M is a Malay translation of the MARS. The MARS is a reliable and validated scale to estimate compliance with medication in patients with psychoses [10]. It has good internal consistency with Cronbach’s α of 0.75 [10]. It is a self-rated scale consisting of 10 items. The original MARS showed good internal consistency (α = 0.75) with three factors identified, where factor 1 represents "medication adherence behavior" (items 1-4), factor 2 is "attitude toward taking medication" (items 5-8), and factor 3 is "negative side-effects and attitudes to psychotropic medication" (items 9-10) [10]. The participants were required to provide a dichotomous response of either YES or NO for each item. For questions 1 to 6, 9, and 10, a NO response was coded as 1. For questions 7 and 8, a YES response was coded as 1. The sum of scores for all items of ≥9 indicated good compliance. A score of ≥2 and ≤ 8 indicated partial compliance, and a score of 1 indicated poor compliance [10].

Data analysis

Demographic characteristics of the participants were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Exploratory factor analysis was done using the computer program FACTOR [13]. Exploratory factor analysis was employed using a polychoric correlation matrix since data in the study were categorical. Tetrachoric correlation was applied as both variables were dichotomous. Univariate distributions of ordinal items were asymmetric or with excess of kurtosis and polychoric correlation was applied. Factor analysis model for binary variables was used [13]. Principal component analysis (PCA) and promin rotation were used to examine the factor structure of the dichotomous questionnaire items. Parallel analysis was applied to determine the number of factors retained in the scale. Internal consistency was determined via Cronbach’s α.

....

Discussion

This study presented the development and psychometric evaluation of MARS-M in a clinical setting. MARS-M demonstrated good reliability and validity when applied to individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. These findings aligned with the psychometric properties observed in the 10-item MARS-10 questionnaire. However, MARS-M exhibited higher internal consistency for factor 1 (r = 0.84) and factor 2 (r = 0.78) in this sample.

Data analysis revealed that MARS-M was valid as a seven-item questionnaire. Items 1, 2, and 6 were removed. It was concluded that these items did not contribute additional information to the analysis, leading to their removal from the questionnaire. Item 1 "Do you ever forget to take medication?" is semantically similar to item 2 "Are you careless at times about taking medication?" Both items 1 and 2 examine the presence of non-compliance to medication intake, which could also be picked up by items 3 and 4 of the questionnaires.

Cultural diversity within Asian communities, as well as individual differences in beliefs and experiences, contributed to a range of perceptions of items in the questionnaire. In Asian cultures, respect for authority figures, including doctors, was often emphasized. There can be shame and embarrassment associated with forgetfulness with medication in some Asian societies, thus fearing judgment or negative consequences [14]. Patients were often hesitant to admit and reveal forgetting medications due to their desire to appear compliant and respectful of medical advice [15]. Thus, they may not answer truthfully to a direct question on whether they have forgotten or were careless in taking medication. Krueger et al. found that self-reported data in clinical settings often overestimated medication adherence by up to 200% [16]. In addition, Lapane et al. indicated a significant discrepancy between doctors' estimates of patients not revealing non-compliance (9%) and patients' actual reluctance to inform their true intentions of not taking the prescription (83%) [17].

In the original MARS, item 6 "It is unnatural for my mind and body to be controlled by medication" is a part of the item assessing attitude to taking medication. However, in MARS-M, results showed that item 6 was neither representative of an assessment of attitude toward medication nor medication side effects. Cultural biases or differences in understanding the concepts of medication as an external and unnatural agent and its effect on the mind and body can contribute to the result. Research has found that Asians have a more negative belief toward medication than Europeans [18-19]. Many Asians believed herbal treatment to be natural, whereas Western psychotropic medications were viewed as unnatural agents that were too strong for their mind and body and may lead to dependence [20].

In addition, individuals with schizophrenia were often found to have a loss of ability to think in abstract concepts leading to concrete thinking [21]. Therefore, individuals with schizophrenia might rely more on concrete thinking rather than integrating information from previous experiences to make judgments and decisions [22]. Some participants were found to have difficulty grasping the concept of natural versus unnatural in item 6 making it difficult to answer item 6.

It was also noted that individuals with a higher education level tend to be more skeptical about psychotropic medications [23]. Patients’ perceptions of health locus of control also influenced their view on the effects of medications [24]. Health locus of control was defined by the degree to which individuals believed that their mental state and body conditions were controlled by internal vs. external factors. [25] Individuals with substance addiction were also more likely to score higher on item 6 compared to individuals with other psychiatric disorders [25]. A large proportion of participants in this study were noted to have dual diagnosis including substance use disorders; however, the actual percentage of participants with dual diagnosis was not collected in this study.

The original MARS had three factors, i.e., medication behavior (factor 1), attitude to taking medication (factor 2), and subjective negative side effects of medication (factor 3) [8,10]. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that MARS-M has two factors. Items 3-4 were grouped as factor 1 and items 7-10 as factor 2. The analysis of MARS-M revealed that items 3 to 5 were of the same construct of a single factor. A multicentered validation study done in France also found that items 3 and 5 were of similar construct [8].

Results from the analysis of MARS-M indicated that items 7-10 were grouped as one factor measuring the same construct. This was different from the original MARS, where items 7 and 8 were measuring attitude to taking medication and items 9-10 were measuring the presence of negative side effects to medication. There were other studies that had similar findings indicating item 7 was close to items 9 and 10 and were grouped as measuring the same construct [8].

The score of MARS-M in this sample showed that half of the participants demonstrated partial compliance to medications, and nearly 50% had good compliance. Generally, medication non-compliance is a significant issue in schizophrenia, with studies reporting compliance rates ranging from as low as 30% to around 60-70% [26-27]. The rate of medication compliance in schizophrenia can vary widely depending on various factors. Factors influencing medication compliance in schizophrenia include the severity of symptoms, side effects of medications, insight into the illness, social support, access to healthcare services, beliefs about medication, and the quality of the therapeutic relationship between patients and healthcare providers [28-29]. Patients’ decisions regarding antipsychotic medication intake also depended on their perception of the overall impact and distress caused by the medication [30]. Therefore, having a rating scale for medication compliance in schizophrenia allows objective measures of medication compliance so that issues with compliance can be identified and addressed effectively.

Conclusions

Validation studies are crucial for assessing the reliability and validity of questionnaires, such as MARS-M. There were several limitations observed in this study. MARS-M was validated in individuals with psychotic spectrum disorder, i.e., schizophrenia, schizophreniform, brief psychotic disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. This can limit the generalizability of the validation results and restrict the applicability of the questionnaire to disorders other than psychotic disorders. Another consideration is the limitation of a small sample size. In addition, participants of the validation studies may provide responses perceived as socially desirable, rather than reflecting their true experiences or behaviors, which may impact the accuracy of validity estimates."

#metaglossia_mundus

dimanche, 19 mai, 2024 à 11:02

"Khouribga – Le cinéma s’érige en pont qui assure la liaison entre les cœurs et les esprits et constitue un langage universel qui transcende les différences, rapproche les cultures et participe à l’unité, a souligné, samedi à Khouribga, le président de la Fondation du festival du cinéma africain de Khouribga (FFICAK), Habib El Malki.

“Dans un contexte empreint d’incertitudes et où les barrières de toutes sortes, réelles ou imaginaires, semblent se multiplier, le cinéma demeure un pont qui assure la liaison entre les cœurs et les esprits, et constitue un langage universel qui transcende les différences, rapproche les cultures et participe à l’unité”, a indiqué M. El Malki qui s’exprimait lors de la soirée de clôture de la 24ème édition du Festival international du cinéma africain de Khouribga (FICAK), cité dans un communiqué de la Fondation du festival.

“Faisons-en sorte de préserver cet art universel, le soutenir et le consolider pour en faire un instrument de développement et de cohésion pour les peuples du continent et dans le reste du monde”, a-t-il appelé.

Ce festival qui a grandi au fil du temps a été le catalyseur d’un changement profond, tant au plan local qu’à l’échelle du continent. En célébrant annuellement le cinéma africain, ce festival offre l’occasion de rendre hommage à la communauté des cinéastes africains, précise la même source.

Il offre également une vitrine aux jeunes talents du continent, contribuant ainsi à l’émergence de nouveaux cinéastes dont la vision novatrice est de nature à ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives artistiques et élargir les horizons du cinéma africain.

De même, cette célébration annuelle constitue le lieu privilégié de rencontre où des noms illustres du septième art côtoient de jeunes espoirs venant de différentes régions du continent, créant ainsi un pont entre les générations.

M. El Mali n’a pas manqué de saluer le succès de la programmation du festival de cette année, faisant savoir que les films sélectionnés dans cette édition ont été choisis avec le plus grand soin pour leur qualité artistique, leur originalité et leur capacité à retenir l’attention des spectateurs et susciter en eux plein d’émotions.

“La compétition a été particulièrement relevée cette année en comptant 13 films provenant de 11 pays en lice pour les distinctions officielles des longs métrages. Cette compétition porte également sur les courts métrages avec la programmation de 15 films pour cette catégorie de la production cinématographique”, a-t-il expliqué.

“Tout au long des projections, depuis le lancement du Festival jusqu’à la dernière présentation, nous avons été tous captivés par les films sélectionnés à travers les histoires qu’ils racontent, les univers fascinants qu’ils imaginent et les émotions intenses qu’ils suscitent, grâce au talent et à la vision de leurs réalisateurs”, s’est-il félicité.

Il a fait part de sa gratitude à tous ceux qui ont rendu possible cet évènement exceptionnel: aux réalisateurs et producteurs pour leur travail exceptionnel, aux acteurs pour leur grand talent, aux équipes techniques pour le dévouement dont elles ont fait preuve tout au long de cette célébration et, “bien sûr, à vous, chers cinéphiles et chers spectateurs, pour votre présence et votre passion qui ont porté ce festival aux meilleurs standards de célébration du cinéma dans notre continent”.

Fidèle à sa tradition, le FICAK a choisi cette année de rendre hommage au cinéma d’un pays frère, cher à nous tous, le Mali, à travers la programmation de six films de cinéastes maliens, a ajouté le président de la FFICAK.

“En mettant en lumière le cinéma malien, nous voudrions célébrer non seulement un art, mais aussi une identité, une mémoire collective et une vision de l’humanité qui résonne au-delà des frontières et des différences”, a-t-il dit, notant que le Mali, berceau d’une civilisation millénaire, “a su, à travers son histoire, sa culture et son cinéma, nous offrir un regard particulier sur le monde à travers un vécu spécifique empreint d’originalité, de vérité et de résilience”.

“Nous avons tous le plaisir d’accueillir à cette occasion les réalisateurs, les écrivains, les artistes et les romanciers qui nous font l’honneur d’être parmi nous pour participer à ce Festival et enrichir nos discussions sur les développements des arts cinématographiques dans le continent”, a-t-il soutenu.

“A travers votre présence, nous voudrions rendre hommage au peuple du Mali, à sa créativité et à son héritage cinématographique, riche et diversifié. Les six films programmés dans cette édition nous ont permis de découvrir des œuvres artistiques qui nous ont transportés à travers de multiples univers de notre continent. Ces univers, à la fois familiers et inconnus, nous invitent tous à mieux appréhender les réalités qui nous entourent pour répondre aux aspirations des peuples, nos peuples”, a-t-il fait observer.

Et d’enchaîner que la célébration des arts cinématographiques dans notre continent constitue un moment privilégié pour rendre un hommage appuyé à nos artistes, producteurs, acteurs et réalisateurs distingués, qui ont marqué de leurs empreintes le développement du septième art dans notre continent.

“En cette 24ème édition du Festival, nous avons choisi, dans le cadre des distinctions honorifiques, de récompenser l’acteur marocain Mohamed El Kahlfi et l’actrice ivoirienne Naky Sy Savané, en reconnaissance de leurs mérites professionnels tout au long de leur carrière artistique”, a-t-il relevé.

Avec sa longue expérience artistique s’étendant sur plus d’une soixantaine d’années, Mohamed El Khalfi a été l’un des pionniers en tant qu’acteur dans les domaines du théâtre, de la télévision et du cinéma au Maroc. Mohamed El Khalfi, qui a débuté sa carrière en jouant sa première pièce de théâtre en 1957, a pu développer son talent d’acteur en intégrant par la suite plusieurs troupes de théâtre dont celle de Tayeb Seddiki. Il a poursuivi sa carrière artistique en participant à de nombreuses productions cinématographiques ainsi qu’à des séries de télévision”, a-t-il rappelé.

Le Festival International du Cinéma africain de Khouribga tient à rendre un hommage appuyé à Mohamed El Khalfi, un artiste exceptionnel qui a tout donné pour les arts cinématographiques au Maroc en tant qu’acteur.

Le Festival tient également à exprimer sa haute considération à Naky Sy Savané pour sa contribution au développement des arts cinématographiques en Côte d’Ivoire et dans l’ensemble du continent. Comme chacun sait, cette comédienne d’exception a tourné dans plusieurs long-métrages et films de télévision qui lui ont valu des distinctions honorifiques parmi lesquelles il importe de noter le prix d’interprétation décerné par notre Festival en 1994. Naky Sy Savané est connue, par ailleurs, pour son engagement pour les causes sociales, notamment l’accès à l’éducation et l’émancipation des femmes.

Le Festival International du Cinéma africain de Khouribga tient à honorer cette Grande Dame de la Comédie africaine pour ses mérites professionnels et son engagement pour le développement social.

M. El Malki a saisi cette occasion pour adresser ses félicitations les plus chaleureuses aux auteurs des films ainsi qu’aux différentes catégories d’acteurs primés lors de ce festival.

“Nous n’oublions pas que toute récompense dans une compétition aussi relevée est le fruit d’un travail acharné, d’une créativité remarquable et d’une passion intense pour le cinéma”, a-t-il fait remarquer, notant que ces distinctions doivent être une source d’inspiration et de motivation pour déployer plus d’efforts, persévérer dans le travail de création et explorer de nouveaux horizons dans l’art cinématographique."

#metaglossia_mundus

"Mata: Humanity's Space for Coexistence and Cultural Exchange
The second day of the 12th edition of the Mata International Equestrian Festival was an occasion for many researchers from national and international institutions to discuss the theme of peace at the Mata: Space for the exchange of human cultures conference

Mata, the meeting of the 3As: Openness, Love and Joy

Nabil Baraka, president of the Mata International Equestrian Festival, underlined in his opening speech for the Mata Conference: space for the exchange of human cultures conference, the relevance of the link that unites horse and man in a holy land where the spiritual leader Abdeslam Ibn Mashiche sowed Sufi values, from the city of Larache; transmitting the message of peace and coexistence rooted in the Sufi Islamic culture.

One of the new stories presented during the conference was the presentation of one of the golden pages of the Koran. Currently, 162 unique pages written in the text of the cult of Islam are kept in the Museo de San Petesburgo.

To preserve it, we decide to make a gold copy of each page to attempt the possible destruction and preserve a spiritual good for Muslims and a cultural value for all humanity.

The international conference, which was a meeting point for researchers from various national and international institutions, as well as participants from different religions and various European and African countries, aimed to strengthen the bonds of communication between Africa and Europe represented by Morocco and Spain, with an openness to other continents.
Europe's leading role with Morocco in peace building

Patricia Llompart, the Ambassador of the European Union in Morocco affirmed that “Europe has a lot to do and contribute with Morocco in building peace for a future based on fraternity, solidarity and peace”; recalling “Europe's day and the European project for peace”.

“This project is based on the common roots of some 27 countries; as well as calls for cooperation of a cultural nature between Europe and Africa,” added Llombart giving the example of the fusion between Italian jazz and Moroccan Gnawa music. 

In this sense, Patricia Llombart made a special emphasis on the importance of valuing the contribution of culture and all that unites us to create bridges of coexistence with different identities and cultures, stressing the need for peace in a world where wars are very present with much pain in Europe and the Middle East. 

Mata conferencia larache flores

For the European ambassador, the festival is a place of spirituality, a meeting point for cultural exchange and an opportunity to renew the call to build bridges of peace that are so necessary today.

Mata, festival of generosity and intercultural and interreligious dialogue

For her part, Guila Clara Kessous, UNESCO artist ambassador for peace, highlighted “the cultural richness and heart-to-heart dialogue never seen elsewhere that distinguish the Mata festival.” 

“Thanks to the language of horses and traditions with traditional clothing of dignity, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, the festival plays an important role in enduring the dialogue of peace between different civilizations,” Kessous explained.

There is a generosity of heart that shows in the eyes of everyone we have seen present at the festival. The population shows a pride of belonging by watching the horse race,” added the UNESCO artist, praising the gift of self to the collective that characterizes the people.

Sufism starts from inner peace to reach world peace 

Moses Garelik, the representative of the Kabbalah, a Sufi mystical tradition of Judaism, pointed out that “Father Abdeslam Ibn Mashiche had left a great legacy, a clear vision and a fantastic message of Sufism based on the peace that the whole world needs.”

“Peace begins with inner peace, if each one of us experiences inner peace then we can live peace in the world,” he explained urging “the public present in this holy space to transmit and deliver Abdeslam Ibn Mashiche's message of peace to the world.”

Moses clarified that “Morocco is the nation where the population has always lived in peace with different religions and diverse identities; it continues to play an important role in maintaining peace for all humanity.

Mata, the meeting of the 3As: Openness, Love and Joy

Nabil Baraka concluded the conference by pointing out that “the values of spirituality and humanity represent the true links that unite us all and that without them the essence and peace is lost.” 

It should be recalled that the conference was attended by other peace activists from other countries in Africa and Europe, along with the representative of Buddhism in Belgium, Moroccan and foreign journalists, as well as public figures from the world of politics, art and communication.

The conference was moderated by the presenter of the National Radio in Tangier (SNRT) Nezha Benadi. 

It is worth mentioning that all the guests, the participants, the population have shared throughout the two days of the International Equestrian Festival Mata de Equestrian an atmosphere full of openness, love and joy."
#metaglossia_mundus

"ar Mohamed Chakir Alaoui et Yassine Mannan

Le 19/05/2024 à 21h35 

"L’Académie du Royaume du Maroc vient d’organiser en fin de semaine à Rabat un colloque international dédié à la littérature africaine et auquel a participé notamment l’écrivain sénégalais Boubacar Boris Diop, auteur du roman à succès «Murambin, le livre des ossements», sur le génocide des Tutsis au Rwanda.

Cet écrivain s’est récemment distingué par la publication d’une lettre ouverte visant notamment le nouveau président du Sénégal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, dans laquelle il recommande la nécessité de promouvoir l’utilisation de la langue nationale wolof comme principal outil d’écriture au Sénégal.

À ce colloque, le secrétaire perpétuel de l’Académie du Royaume du Maroc, Abdeljalil Lahjomri a ouvert la conférence de deux jours dédiée à «La classification des littérateurs africains et afrodescendants». Cet évènement a été animé par Eugène Ebodé, administrateur de la Chaire des littératures et des arts africains issue de l’Académie du Royaume du Maroc. Cette chaire, selon l’Académie, a pour «ambition le décloisonnement, la valorisation et la circulation du patrimoine culturel africain en Afrique».

Dans une présentation, cette prestigieuse Académie du Royaume du Maroc, explique l’intérêt qu’elle porte à la littérature africaine en «mobilisant des auteurs et des autrices distingués et des universitaires de renom pour approfondir les échanges d’idées sur les échelles de la littérature».

 

Le colloque a par ailleurs rendu hommage au grand écrivain sénégalais feu Amadou Hampaté Bâ, «Le sage de Marcory» comme se plaisaient à le surnommer ses amis. Soulignant les apports de cet écrivain, décédé il y a 33 ans, l’Académie du Royaume du Maroc a rappelé à cette occasion l’une de ses prestigieuses phrases, quand il avait affirmé: «Mes phrases ne sont pas de moi, mais du continent.»

Ce colloque a vu la participation d’une pléiade d’académiciens et d’écrivains comme le sénégalais Boubacar Boris Diop et le camerounais Ambroise Kom, auteurs de plusieurs ouvrages. L’écrivain sénégalais, Boubacar Boris Diop, hôte de marque de cette conférence, y a développé le thème sur «L’approche linguistique de deux auteurs de la même génération, Nguig Wa Thiong’o du Kenya et Cheikh Aliou Ndao du Sénégal».

Dans l’entretien qu’il nous a accordé, l’écrivain Boubacar Boris Diop a félicité l’Académie du Royaume du Maroc pour «sa célébrité et son travail», loin de tout «alibi». «Je trouve qu’elle fonctionne très bien», cette institution, a-t-il affirmé. «Je trouve magnifique le fait d’avoir choisi pour le colloque la date du 15 mai», la mort il y a 33 ans de l’écrivain Amadou Hambaté Bâ, grande figure «de la pensée universelle».

À propos de sa lettre ouverte au chef de l’État et au Premier ministre du Sénégal concernant la promotion de la langue wolof, l’écrivain Boubacar Boris Diop s’est déclaré satisfait que sa lettre ouverte ait reçu un écho favorable de la part des autorités du pays. «On l’a fait (les écrivains sénégalais, NDLR) parce qu’on sent que l’heure est venue. Il y a quelques années, cela aurait été volontairement de prêcher dans le désert que de le demander à quelque président que ce soit».

Lire aussi : Le Rwanda et le génocide tutsi: se souvenir…

Et d’ajouter que «l’heure est venue parce qu’il y a une prise de conscience dans la plupart des pays africains y compris le Sénégal, mais aussi l’heure est venue parce qu’au Sénégal on a un nouveau régime de deux jeunes dirigeants (50 ans chacun, NDLR) en qui nous avons confiance et nous avons pensé qu’ils prêteraient une oreille attentive à nos propos». L’écrivain a noté en outre que «le dernier conseil des ministres qui s’est réuni récemment a tenu à insister sur l’importance des langues nationales».

Boubacar Boris Diop a d’autre part évoqué son livre «Murambin, le livre des ossements» sur le génocide des Tutsis. Quand on donne «les chiffres sur ce génocide, cela donne des vertiges», a-t-il martelé. «Pendant 100 jours, on a tué chaque jour sans interruption et dans des conditions épouvantables 10.000 personnes. Un génocide complètement planifié», a-t-il déploré en guise de conclusion.

Par Mohamed Chakir Alaoui et Yassine Mannan

Le 19/05/2024 à 21h35"

#metaglossia_mundus

"Wordly Passes 3Mn User Milestone for AI Translation, Captions Solution

PRNEWSWIRE3 days ago Comments Offon Wordly Passes 3Mn User Milestone for AI Translation, Captions Solution

 

Wordly, the leading provider of live AI translation and captions, announced surpassing several major user milestones as demand for high quality / affordable language services continues to rise exponentially. The user growth has fueled 100%+ year over year sales growth and the new AI milestones include:

• 3 Million+ AI Translation Users
• 80 Thousand+ AI Translation Sessions
• 400 Million+ AI Translation Minutes

Continuous Product Innovation

Wordly created the live AI translation and caption market when it launched in 2019, and has been the leader in product innovation, quality, and market share ever since. The platform provides real-time translation into 50+ languages, including recent additions of Icelandic, Tagalog, and Ukrainian. To meet growing demand to globalize videos and on-demand content, Wordly released a new API which makes it easier for customers to upload files and create subtitles in dozens of languages. Other recent updates include mobile app upgrades to make it easier to capture audio input, and ongoing infrastructure enhancements to meet enterprise security protection standards and support the growing number of translation users.

“We set out to make it easy and affordable for organizations of all sizes to offer ubiquitous language access to all of their meetings and events, and these user milestones are proof that our solution is meeting customer needs,” said Lakshman Rathnam, CEO Wordly. “And we are just beginning – we have ambitious plans to continue adding more languages, advanced features, and integration partners; while further increasing translation quality and ease of use.”

Growing Global Demand

Wordly continues to scale its infrastructure and team to meet growing global demand, and now has over 1,500 customers in 60+ countries. Customers include technology, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, non-profit, local government, and religious services organizations.

Wordly partners with many of the largest organizations in the events industry to help make their conferences more inclusive and accessible – as well as showcase their AI technology to event professionals around the world. Recent and upcoming global events using Wordly include:

• AIPC – International Association of Convention Centres (Costa Rica)
• ASAE – American Society of Association Executives (Washington, DC)
• GBTA – Global Business Travel Association (Toronto)
• IIMC – International Institute of Municipal Clerks (Calgary)
• IMEX – Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings, and Events (Frankfurt)
• MPI WEC – Meeting Planners International (Louisville)
• PCMA – Professional Convention Management Association (Singapore)"

#metaglossia_mundus

"The Secret Master: On Translating the Forgotten Argentine Writer Ángel Bonomini

Jordan Landsman Remembers the Writer Admired by Jorge Luis Borges, Alberto Manguel, and Others

By Jordan Landsman

 

May 16, 2024

 

I started translating the title novella in Ángel Bonomini’s first collection of short stories in 2016, before I’d finished reading it. I was twenty-six, and I’d been living in Buenos Aires for three years.

I’d come across “The Novices of Lerna” in an out-of-print anthology of twentieth century Argentine fantastic literature that also included tales by Bonomini’s more famous contemporaries Jorge Luis Borges, Silvina Ocampo, Julio Cortazar, and Adolfo Bioy Casares. The anthology, which I’d purchased in a used book store across the street from my first apartment in San Telmo, had cost me three pesos in 2013, when the peso was five to a dollar. Now it’s 876.

“The Novices of Lerna” is narrated by a young, unambitious lawyer, Ramón Beltra, who is summoned from Argentina to the fictional town of Lerna, Switzerland for a mysterious fellowship. The invitation is baffling, since Beltra has done nothing to deserve it, and disconcerting, because in order to qualify, he’s asked to photograph his body “partially and totally and from every angle imaginable.” The mawkish tone of the letters from Lerna rub Beltra the wrong way, but the benefits of accepting are too numerous to ignore.

Still, Beltra is loath to leave his daily routines in Buenos Aires. He has no higher calling, no drive to better his lot in life. “I know full well that it’s best to limit oneself to a tiny position in order to live in peace,” he says. “To become the registrar, the manager, the chief is to make the same deal as the toad who traded his eyes for a tail; goodbye to drinking two glasses too many, goodbye to staying up late reading, goodbye to friends, goodbye to women.”

This is about as far as I read before I started translating. This was eight years ago now, and the exact when and why of it all is a little fuzzy. All I know is that I immediately liked Beltra’s voice, and fresh out of a relationship and working an isolating remote job, I’m sure I identified with his ambivalence towards monogamy and gainful employment.

Considering how much time I ended up putting into this translation, it’s funny to me now that I started it on a whim.

Considering how much time I ended up putting into this translation, it’s funny to me now that I started it on a whim. In 2016, most of my energy was going towards performing stand-up in Spanish and English. Most weeks, I was hosting The BA Comedy Lab, which is still running, and performing in another show called Limones, which is not. Before Bonomini, the only person I’d translated was myself.

If I’m being honest, part of me also started working on “The Novices of Lerna” as a way of tricking myself into finishing it. I love reading in Spanish, but as an English major I was trained to look up every word, and that takes a long time when it’s not your first language and the writer has a good vocabulary. Thankfully, as I translated, the plot thickened in ways that delighted me.

After a brief dalliance with a flight attendant, Beltra arrives at Lerna and discovers something shocking: there are twenty-three other fellows from around the world there, and they all look exactly like him. The university has convened them for a “secret project” that involves recording them surreptitiously while they study and interact with one another. Beltra has a hard time adjusting to the university’s bizarre and seemingly arbitrary rules, but then one by one, his doppelgangers start dying, and if I told you any more, I’d be giving too much away.

Around this time, I started asking my well-read Argentine friends if they’d ever heard of or read Ángel Bonomini. Their answer, almost invariably, was “Who?” Although he wrote almost a hundred and twenty stories across six dazzling collections, Bonomini is practically forgotten in Argentina. The few people I spoke to who did recognize his name seemed to remember him as a poet; in addition to the stories, Bonomini published seven books of verse, including one, when he was twenty-two, with his then-girlfriend, Maria Elena Walsh.

And although his original books are out-of-print in Argentina, I’m not the only foreigner who felt Bonomini deserved a wider audience. In 2015, the Valencia-based publishing house Pre-Textos republished a collection of his poetry, and in 2017 they released a thick volume of his collected short stories, which includes a terrific appreciation of Bonomini by the Columbian writer Dario Jaramillo Agudelo.

In 2018, I reached out to the Argentine writer Alberto Manguel, who edited the anthology where I’d found “The Novices of Lerna,” and was encouraged by his description of Bonomini as “a great writer, unjustly forgotten.” Bonomini’s, however, is not a case of someone only getting their flowers once they’ve started in pushing them.

In his lifetime, Bonomini won numerous awards and a Fulbright. “The Novices of Lerna” was admired by his contemporaries, Bioy Casares and Borges, and the latter selected his story “Iniciación del miedo” in a contest out of 2,700 applicants. (I don’t know how Borges found the time to evaluate twenty-seven hundred stories, but then again, the man really loved to read). Nevertheless, when Bonomini died in 1994 at the age of sixty-seven, his friend and mentee Marcelo Moreno wrote in a homage that he was a “secret master,” perhaps already sensing his fall into obscurity.

Even if my translation were to somehow succeed in making Bonomini a household name, “secret master” would still be a fitting title for him. There are secrets (and confessions) in nearly every one of the stories in The Novices of Lerna, and transmogrifying death is always around the corner. The narrator of “The Fire,” surveying the destruction he’s brought upon the church where he used to work, says “an ash-colored light rises from the river and my secret is sweet to me.”

In “By the Word”, an unnamed character wakes up one day trapped in a cube with “atrocious growths” that multiply every time he speaks. Nevertheless, he won’t stop talking: “He said a friend’s name. He said ‘carpenter’s bench’ because those were what he built for a living. He said ‘blue eyes’ for reasons that were secret.”

Even if my translation were to somehow succeed in making Bonomini a household name, “secret master” would still be a fitting title for him.

I love Bonomini’s stories because they are truth-obsessed, and obsession-obsessed. There is a “too-muchness” to some of them (especially, “The Singer,” his stream-of-consciousness reflection on the death of the tango singer Carlos Gardel) that fits their subjects perfectly, but if I, at times made them torturous to translate. Sentence by desperate sentence, his stories can be overwhelming, and thematically, they keep circling back to murder, suicide, madness, and isolation.

This would have been too much for me, I think, if Bonomini’s stories weren’t also mordant and deeply moving, and if I hadn’t been helped and encouraged by so many friends and colleagues. Allison deFreese, whose translation workshop I attended in 2020, championed this project at every step of the way, and was extremely generous with her time.

I am eternally grateful to Adam Levy at Transit Books for taking a chance on this book. Having a good excuse to move back to Buenos Aires at the end of 2022 for a few months to work on it was a dream come true, and being able to share The Novices of Lerna with readers is another one.

______________________________

 

The Novices of Lerna by Ángel Bonomini translated by Jordan Landsman is available via Transit Books."

#metaglossia_mundus

"ECOWAS Commission, through the Directorate of Conference and Protocol (DCP), organized a beginner edition of its upgrade and mentorship program for prospective interpreters and translators. The six (6) day program was held in Niger State, Nigeria from 8th – 13th May 2024, which included a practical workshop themed, Consecutive Interpreting for Absolute Beginners. 

The program focused on the foundations of professional Conference Interpretation and exposed participants to exercises needed to progress in self-learning, with practical mentorship sessions for prospective interpreters and translators for inclusion in its roster of freelance language service providers.

Following the workshop, participants were evaluated on beginner Consecutive Interpreting practice and Simultaneous Interpreting (SI) for those who had minor exposure to SI, received STIT guidance, and expressed an interest in being evaluated.

After successful assessment, The Beginner’s Edition added 4 new entrants to its trainee list. It is expected that with further mentoring, these new mentees will be included in the roster of freelance language service providers. "

#metaglossia_mundus

"Using crowdsourcing, we collected more than 10,000 URL pairs (parallel top page pairs) of bilingual websites that contain parallel documents and created a Japanese-Chinese parallel corpus of 4.6M sentence pairs from these websites. We used a Japanese-Chinese bilingual dictionary of 160K word pairs for document and sentence alignment. We then used high-quality 1.2M Japanese-Chinese sentence pairs to train a parallel corpus filter based on statistical language models and word translation probabilities. We compared the translation accuracy of the model trained on these 4.6M sentence pairs with that of the model trained on Japanese-Chinese sentence pairs from CCMatrix (12.4M), a parallel corpus from global web mining. Although our corpus is only one-third the size of CCMatrix, we found that the accuracy of the two models was comparable and confirmed that it is feasible to use crowdsourcing for web mining of parallel data..."

#metaglossia_mundus

"Le nom « tchip » et le verbe « tchiper » intègrent les colonnes du fameux dictionnaire de la langue française. Un signe de modernité et d’intégration continue de l’inventivité francophone africaine.
Damien Glez
Dessinateur et éditorialiste franco-burkinabè.
Publié le 14 mai 2024
Sujets de nombreux débats, à l’approche de la cérémonie d’ouverture des Jeux olympiques de Paris, le phrasé et le vocabulaire de la chanteuse Aya Nakamura n’incarnent finalement pas tant qu’on le pense l’authenticité linguistique des nouvelles générations – pas plus celles des « quartiers » périphériques de France que celles des maquis de Bamako, la capitale du Mali à laquelle une certaine droite souhaite scotcher l’artiste. D’un côté ou de l’autre de la Méditerranée, on n’entend guère « tchouffer », « tchop, tchop, tchop » ou « en catchana »…

L’apport de l’Afrique à la langue française se trouve davantage dans l’édition 2025 du Petit Robert, à paraître le 16 mai prochain. Dans cette version abrégée du dictionnaire alphabétique et analogique de la langue française – Le Grand Robert -, on trouve notamment les termes « tchip » et « tchiper », effectivement très employés par une certaine jeunesse de France… et du Mali.

Un mot et un comportement
Plus qu’un mot, « tchip » consacre une onomatopée, ce qui constitue une nouvelle victoire de l’oralité, en droite ligne de la pop-culture issue des comics. Elle désigne également une attitude, dont le son est une expression non-verbale aux allures de couperet, héritage indiscutable de la communication africaine et antillaise, parente des « tchourou » ivoiriens, « msourou » sénégalais ou encore « sourou » malien.

« Fait d’émettre un bruit de succion en signe de désapprobation ou de mépris », définit Le Petit Robert. Et les tenants de la « reconquête » franco-française par la traque des prénoms à consonance « étrangère » n’ont qu’à bien se tenir. Même sans « grand remplacement », l’Afrique infuse chez l’ancien colon. Elle infuse d’ailleurs bien au-delà, le « tchipage » existant aujourd’hui dans les sphères métissées francophones, anglophones et néerlandophones.

Pour désigner la pratique du tchip, les Afro-Américains utilisent l’expression « to suck one’s teeth », littéralement « sucer ses dents ». Et la technique s’identifie aussi bien au Brésil qu’au Bahamas, au Surnima ou à Trinité-et-Tobago.

Francophonies de tous les pays…
Pour peu que l’usage enfonce le clou de la curiosité militante, la langue française, singulièrement ses supports comme Le Petit Robert, intègre sans rechigner les apports d’une francophonie jadis considérée comme excentrée.

Aux côtés des nouveaux mots venus d’Afrique fleurit le patrimoine linguistique québécois comme, cette année dans Le Petit Robert, l’expression « boss des bécosses » (« personne qui fait preuve d’une autorité prétentieuse ») ou l’impératif « Déguédine ! », qui signifie « Fais de l’air, je t’ai assez vu ». Les mots africains ne devraient pas déguédiner de sitôt des pages des dictionnaires français."
#metaglossia_mundus: https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1567872/societe/nouvelle-edition-du-petit-robert-permis-de-tchiper/

"BIBLE Translation Association chairman Ganjiki Wayne says the National Cultural Commission (NCC) should consider translating the Bible into 800 languages as part of preservation. “The NCC is more focused with the preservation of artefacts and not languages."

#metaglossia_mundus

"In these dark and messy portrayals, translators aren't the servants of an author or a neat metaphor for bridging cPhoto by Lucas George Wendt on Unsplash

MAY 15, 2024

ARIELLE BURGDORF

 

Translators are an incredibly vital part of the literary ecosystem—not only because they carry books from one language into another, but also because they are generally the ones who find and champion writers in other languages. They contribute to the circulation of ideas and narratives, as well as the formation of what we call “world literature.” Despite all this, translators are often underpaid, their names do not appear on the front covers of books, and their work is largely, as Lawrence Venuti wrote, invisible. 

The protagonist of my debut novella, Prétend, is a young literary translator who goes by the names Jean, Jeanne, and John. Aside from engaging in translation, she herself is a translation, navigating multiple identities as she transgresses borders, genders, and languages. She translates poetry for her abusive husband, a very extreme example of an unhealthy translator-author relationship. Later, she starts to translate for another writer named M., who represents more experimental and liberated possibilities for translation. In writing this book, I was interested in dark and messy portrayals of translators, stories where the translator isn’t a servant of the author or a neat metaphor for bridging cultural gaps. Here are seven examples of literary translators in fiction that will give you a better appreciation and understanding of the art of translation.

Mauve Desert by Nicole Brossard, translated by Suzanne de Lotbinière-Harwood

Originally written in French and translated by the brilliant Suzanne de Lotbinière-Harwood, this is the novel that got me thinking deeply about translation and language. Mauve Desert is about Maude Laures, a professor from Québec who decides to translate a story she finds in a used bookstore. The novel is technically three books in one: the original Mauve Desert, a magical story of a teenage girl named Mélanie who is obsessed with driving her mother’s car around the Arizona desert, lesbians who work at a motel, and a villain named Longman who is also possibly Oppenheimer, Laures’ notes in preparation for the translation, including interviews with all the characters, and then finally, her translation of the story, allowing the reader to observe the differences from the original. Any one of the three parts would be worth a book in and of itself, but altogether they offer a queer, sensual, and immersive portrayal of the act of translation.

The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft

Croft is the translator of the award-winning Polish author Olga Tokarczuk, and a major public advocate for literary translators. Her second novel tells the story of celebrated author Irena Rey (she may or may not be based on Tokarczuk), who disappears in her home, the Białowieża Forest, a primeval forest stretching between Poland and Belarus. Eight of Rey’s adoring translators, referred to initially only by their mother tongues, go searching for her. Croft weaves translation together with topics like climate change, slime molds, and mythology to make a modern fairytale. Extinction highlights the power imbalances in published languages (especially the domination of English), and whether or not a translation stands on its own as a piece of art, playing with notions of authorship through the use of footnotes and multiple narratives. All in all, the book is a thought-provoking look at literary translation from one of the most talented living translators.

The Partition by Don Lee

The Partition tells the story of Ingrid, a queer Korean American adoptee whose bid for tenure at her liberal arts college is interrupted when a translation she published of a novel by the mysterious South Korean writer Yoo Sun-mi is called into question. When Sun-mi arrives in the United States to confront Ingrid face to face, we get a look at a very chaotic translator-author relationship, similar to the one in Prétend. The story raises important questions about who has the right to translate, the weight of identity and language expertise in translation, and the role of translators in helping authors get recognition and literary prizes.

My Husband by Maud Ventura, translated by Emma Ramadan

It makes perfect sense to me that the narrator of this novella, a woman whose immense love and passion for her husband teeters on the brink of hatred, is an English-to-French translator. She considers her words carefully, putting tremendous thought into every sentence. Like all writers, she has certain phrases she favors, as we see in her compulsive repetition of “my husband.” The narrator approaches translation the way she does everything in the novel, with an all-consuming fervor, and a need to maintain control. Reflecting on her translation of a young Irish novelist, she writes, “I entered into her mind and adopted her logic until the mechanics of the whole were revealed to me.” This is a woman with no boundaries between life and work; in a wildly unethical move, she even has her students practice translating transcriptions of private conversations with her husband. Make sure to read the epilogue, which, like a good translator’s note, throws everything into a different light.

Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou

This dizzying, hilarious novel is the story of Ingrid, a Taiwanese American Ph.D. student who finds out the subject of her dissertation is actually a white man in yellowface pretending to be a Chinese poet named Xiaou-Wen Chou. We get a wickedly funny portrayal of a translator in Ingrid’s boyfriend, Stephen, the white American translator of the trendy Japanese author Azumi Kasuya. At first, Ingrid sees nothing wrong with Stephen translating Azumi’s work, beyond the fact that she is jealous of their proximity. But as she grows more politically and socially aware, Ingrid begins to take issue with Stephen’s history of only dating Asian women and his supposed authority on Japanese literature. Disorientation is not a subtle satire, but it never feels didactic because Chou expertly wields humor to make her point. When Ingrid starts asking questions about the prevalence of white translators in the Asian literary world, the reader is right there with her. As Lisa Hofmann-Kuroda put it in her essay, The Geopolitics of Japanese Literary Translation: “I am not saying the solution is for all white people to stop translating Japanese. But I am asking why it is that only white people are translating Japanese, still, today, and whether there are historical and structural reasons for that.” 

Nevermore by Cécile Wajsbrot, translated by by Tess Lewis

Nevermore is the story of a woman who is consumed by grief, travels to Dresden, and decides to translate the section “Time Passes” from Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse. The narrator finds resonances between different abandoned places where nature has reclaimed the land, such as the ruins of Chernobyl, the French village of Fleury, and the Scottish island Hirta, and the High Line in New York City. Wajsbrot showcases how the mind of the translator works, offering several possibilities for each sentence. As a whole her portrayal of translation is beautiful, treating it as a kind of healing. It’s also rooted in experience—Wajsbrot herself translated Woolf’s The Waves. Currently, the book is only available in French and German, but luckily for English readers, a translation by Tess Lewis is coming in November 2024.

Revenge of the Translator by Brice Matthieussent, translated by Emma Ramadan

In this madcap, meta novel by French translator Brice Matthieussent, a translator named Trad starts to take over and rewrite the novel, N.d.T, that he is supposed to be translating. Initially, he is limited to commentary in the footnotes, but slowly he breaks out of that barrier and the footnotes rise to include the entire page. Trad’s actions beg the question: at what point does translation become creative writing? The book becomes a layered power struggle between Trad, the author Abel Prote, and Prote’s characters, David Grey, also a translator, and Doris, a secretary. Emma Ramadan, who translated the book into English, put it best: “The book is an ode to translation in its unraveling, exploiting, and exploding of all existing tropes about translations and their translators.” Revenge will definitely make you rethink translation and in particular, the agency of the translator. 

About the Author

Arielle Burgdorf is a translator, novelist, and PhD student at University of California, Santa Cruz in the Literature department. Their writing and translations have appeared in Lambda Literary, Broken Pencil Magazine, Amsterdam Review, Full Stop, Maximum Rocknroll, and elsewhere.Their research concerns French-Canadian feminist and queer experimental writing and translation."

#metaglossia_mundus

"L’expatriation est une aventure humaine et culturelle qui transcende les frontières géographiques. Dans ce contexte, les Sénégalais ont embrassé cette expérience en se lançant dans divers pays asiatiques, attirés par des opportunités d’études, de travail, d’entrepreneuriat, ou simplement par une curiosité intrépide. Cette migration transcontinentale témoigne non seulement d’une quête personnelle, mais aussi d’une rencontre fructueuse entre deux mondes, créant ainsi des ponts entre l’Afrique et l’Asie.

Publié le 15 mai 2024  

Les motivations de l’expatriation :

Les Sénégalais s’établissant en Asie sont motivés par une diversité de facteurs. Certains sont attirés par les possibilités d’éducation de qualité offertes par des institutions renommées dans des pays comme le Japon, la Chine ou la Corée du Sud. D’autres voient dans les économies dynamiques de la région des opportunités de carrière prometteuses, notamment dans les domaines de la technologie, de la finance et du commerce. En outre, l’entrepreneuriat joue un rôle crucial, où la fusion des cultures africaine et asiatique donne naissance à des entreprises uniques, allant de salons de coiffure à des restaurants fusion, créant ainsi des espaces où les deux cultures se rencontrent et s’enrichissent mutuellement.

Les valeurs communes entre les cultures :

Au-delà des différences apparentes, les Sénégalais expatriés en Asie découvrent des valeurs communes qui facilitent leur intégration. La notion de respect, de communauté et de famille est profondément enracinée dans les deux cultures. La convivialité, la générosité et l’hospitalité sont des traits partagés, facilitant les interactions sociales et renforçant les liens interculturels. De plus, la spiritualité joue un rôle central, avec une croyance partagée en la force de l’esprit et de la détermination pour surmonter les défis de la vie.

Les défis de l’intégration :

Malgré les similitudes culturelles, l’intégration des Sénégalais en Asie n’est pas sans obstacles. La barrière linguistique peut constituer un défi initial, bien que de nombreux expatriés apprennent rapidement la langue locale pour faciliter leur interaction avec la communauté. Les différences sociales et les normes culturelles peuvent également poser des défis, nécessitant une adaptation et une compréhension mutuelle. De plus, les stéréotypes et les préjugés peuvent parfois entraver l’intégration, exigeant des efforts supplémentaires pour établir des relations authentiques et briser les barrières culturelles.

Josephine Taylor"

#metaglossia_mundus

"There are many translations of the Bible ranging from the most literal translations to quite paraphrased versions. There is a necessity for them all.

There are many translations of the Bible ranging from the most literal translations to quite paraphrased versions. There is a necessity for them all.

May 15, 2024 • By Joshua Witworth, BA English Literature, 

When going to church on Sundays, it is extremely common for the pastor to read a Bible verse in one specific translation — such as the New International Version or The Message — then use a different Bible translation, such as King James Version or American Standard Version for a different verse. This can lead to some confusion for the congregation because there are so many different versions of the same book. This is a common issue that scholars have dealt with for many years. The differences boil down to whether the translation of the Bible is a literal word-for-word translation or a paraphrased thought-for-thought translation.

 

Why Isn’t There Just One Translation of the Bible?

Brandon Farris is a content creator who has a YouTube series in which he searches for a random recipe online and uses Google Translate to translate it into a different language. Then he takes that new translation and brings it back to English. He continues this process five or six times and then tries to follow the new recipe, which, as you may suspect, results in a complete mess of a dish. One time, he ended up sautéing water.

 

 

 

Although this is a silly explanation, it illustrates the point perfectly: Translating from one language to another is a VERY difficult process and can result in contextual errors.

 

It is also extremely difficult for people to read the same text and draw the same conclusions. In the United States, there are wildly differing opinions on the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which is written in the native language of the majority of Americans.

 

It’s easy to see how a text that dates back 2700 years in places and began as an oral tradition, could be interpreted differently. Scholars are not known for being the most agreeable type either.

 

To give an example, Marcus Aurelius’ journal was published as a book called The Meditations and has been translated numerous times. Here are three separate translations of the same passage, as pointed out by Ryan Holiday in his Daily Stoic email, and sent out on November 13, 2023:

 

Gregory Hays: “What’s left for us to prize? I think it’s this: to do (and not do) what we were designed for. That’s the goal of all trades, all arts, and what each of them aims at: that the thing they create should do what it was designed to do…And teaching and education…So that’s what we should prize. ”

 

 

 

Robin Waterfield: “What’s left to value? This, in my opinion: acting or refraining from action as dictated by the way we’re made. And here our occupations and crafts show the way, since it’s the aim of every craft that what it makes should fit the purpose for which it was made…And what else is it that tutors and teachers strive for? So that’s where value lies.”

 

Meric Casaubon: “What is there remaining that should be dear unto thee? This I think: that in all thy motions and actions thou be moved, and restrained according to thine own true natural constitution and Construction only. And to this even ordinary arts and professions do lead us. For it is that which every art doth aim at, that whatsoever it is, that is by art effected and prepared, may be fit for that work that it is prepared for…What else doth the education of children, and all learned professions tend unto? Certainly then it is that, which should be dear unto us also.”

 

These are all the exact same words, written in the exact same language, but translated very differently. Yet, they all draw on the same idea and hit the same general thought. They were writing at different times, so they wrote for a different audience in terms of language.

This is the exact issue that has affected the Bible. Without even getting into the logistics of who decided what is and isn’t scripture, there is an interpretation issue. As Greg Gilbert points out on Crossway.org, the major conflict comes from how literal the interpretation needs to be. There are some translators that vote for a more “word-for-word” translation as the best option to get the most accurate Bible; whereas, others posit that a more “thought-for-thought” translation is better suited to the modern people due to its readability.

 

Difficulties with a Literal Translation of the Bible

 

Languages are beautiful. The only problem is that they are culturally variant. The United States doesn’t have a national language but is known to predominantly speak English because the nation was founded by Great Britain, where they also speak English.

 

 

 

Both countries speak English but have variances for the same words. In the United States, we don’t have the letter “u” in the word “color.” This specific instance is due to the United States trying to separate the nation from the perceived oppressive Monarchy of ruling Britain.

 

It gets more intense than that though. Even within the United States, you will get specific verbiage directly related to geographic location. People in New York City will say words that don’t necessarily mean the same thing in Alabama, and the inverse is true too. It’s not often a New Yorker will say “y’all” or an Alabaman will say “schlep.”

 

Although contextual clues will ensure these people will be able to understand each other, there are broader examples of words that don’t directly translate. Even though Spanish is also a Romantic, or Latin-based, language, the word “sombremesa” doesn’t have a direct translation into English. This word isn’t necessarily needed in English due to differences in cultures. It can be translated to mean “the time spent after a meal just leisurely hanging out and chatting.” But in Britain and the United States, this isn’t a cultural norm, so that’s not a word that’s needed.

 

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 in the NIV says, “(16) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, (17) so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” which is often interpreted to mean that the Bible in and of itself, is, at a minimum, divinely inspired. The New International Version, is often cited as a middle-of-the-road translation.

 

If you read the same verse in the 21st century King James Version it says, “(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped for all good works.”

 

 

 

The 21st-century King James Version is an updated version of the original King James Version that was published in 1611. It’s been distilled from the original language to be as readable as possible — and it’s a much less accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible.

 

Dr. Peter J. Glurry wrote in a short blog post for the Text & Canon Institute of Phoenix Seminary, “The simple answer is that we have errors in our manuscripts because God never promised to keep them out.” Dr. Glurry is saying that the initial words or text may have been divinely inspired, but the scribes who interpreted and translated these words may not have been as precise. Which, in turn, means there may be some errors along the way.

 

 

Additionally, when it comes to literal translations of the Bible, there are new archeological discoveries and other contextual clues that may give us a whole new meaning to what was originally stated. A perfect example of this is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah laid out in Genesis 19:1-22 when the mob is threatening to assault two Angels. This is commonly referred to as a tale in contention of homosexuality.

 

However, if you take into context the later account in Judges 19:22-26, where a similar situation happens and someone’s home is surrounded by a mob, you end up with a different understanding of the story. In the Genesis account, Lot offers up his daughters to protect himself. In the Judges account, a concubine is offered, and she is sexually assaulted and left for dead.

 

If you take both of these accounts into consideration, you learn that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was not directed at this single occurrence, but multiple wicked acts, including the attempted assault on someone’s guest.

 

 

To add to all of these difficulties, you have to take into consideration the continual evolution of language. This is something that has happened throughout history, and we can see it today. After all, what is a “yeet”? And how does “bet” mean “ok cool” or “hot” mean attractive?

 

Technology and the evolution of sociology naturally lead to the development of new phrases. It’s difficult to track the emergence of new terms and phrases because, although it’s always changing, the purpose of a dictionary isn’t to tell you the direct definition of a word but to report on the common usage over time.

 

Some words are extremely difficult to define, yet everyone knows what they mean. The quickest example is to have a layperson attempt to define “apple” or “furniture.” Some things in a language everyone knows because they’re basic, but when you try to attach a definition to them, it gets too complex.

 

 

 

If you look at the Dictionary.com definition for furniture, it reads “the movable articles, as tables, chairs, desks or cabinets, required for use or ornament in a house, office, or the like.” This means, that the definition also includes vases or the empty cup on your desk branded with the college you went to that you keep pens in.

 

It makes so much sense that scholars disagree and argue about the inherent definition of words. So if a word-for-word translation is so bad, is a thought-for-thought look better?

 

Problems with Thought-for-Thought Translations of the Bible
The First Translation of the Bible into English (Wycliffe Reading His Translation of the New Testament to His Protector, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, in the Presence of Chaucer and Gower, his Retainers), by Ford Madox Brown, 1847, Source: Artsdot.com

 

 

 

On the opposite side of the spectrum from the literal word-for-word translation of the Bible is the thought-for-thought translation. The best-known are The Message and the 21st-century King James Version. They are considerably distilled versions of original Hebrew and Greek texts.

 

As highlighted by Biblica.com, a word-for-word translation is extremely valuable for individual study, but it doesn’t lend itself to broader worship. There are those that believe the broader thought translation is better as it is much easier to understand and results in a larger group of people comprehending the meaning.

 

This idea is furthered by writer Don Stewart in his piece on translations of the Bible. Stewart says that the variance in interpretations and translations ultimately helps legitimize the Bible because they all are saying the same basic thing. The fact that there are so many copies of the same documents reporting the same stories adds to the credibility.

 

Titivillus, patron demon of scribes, who introduced errors into their work, 14th century, Source: Wikiwand

 

 

 

The opposite goes for when a person tweets something on X (formerly Twitter) about some obscure movie fact that they heard from their cousin’s friend who was an assistant to the set designer for the film, it doesn’t seem very legit. However, if this person says this, then an actor in the film says the same thing in an interview with a big magazine such as Cosmopolitan, then it’s going to have a lot more credibility.

 

But if that actor isn’t a very credible person and is known for spouting off nonsense, then it won’t have much backing. But if that noncredible actor says it, and it gets backed up by more people who also worked on the film and the director comes in and says it happened on the commentary of the film, then it’s considered true.

 

 

 

The likelihood of every person recounting this fictional fact in the same manner is slim to none. Each person will have their own take on the event. But it doesn’t make it untrue if Tim on the set remembers that there was a lucky cat on set with orange fur, while Sarah the actor in the film knows that it was mainly white with orange on it. That doesn’t mean either person is wrong, just that they had different experiences and the film had a lucky cat on set. What matters most about the fact is that it happened. It didn’t have to happen in a specific way to be “more accurate.”

 

The Gospel of Luke, from Codex Alexandrinus, 5th century CE, Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

 

 

Part of the difficulty in deciding the word-for-word translation is that there are multiple manuscripts out there. The translator will have to decide which manuscript they will use and then justify why they’re doing that.

 

For the Bible, translators have had to decide between Byzantine manuscripts and Alexandrian manuscripts. Byzantine texts take the majority of the original texts and create a cohesive interpretation of what the majority says. Alexandrian texts, on the other hand, used the texts written within a specific timeframe. The issue of doing this is in the determination of the legitimacy of the text it creates. This area is where a word-for-word translation has the advantage.

 

East of Eden, by John Steinbeck, first edition cover, 1952, Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

 

 

While doing this determination and distillation of the text you may end up with massive differences such as those outlined in John Steinbeck’s magnum opus East of Eden. In the novel there is a pivotal scene where the characters are discussing the Bible and one of them says he went to the original language to interpret a single word.

 

The specific quote discusses the different translations of the Bible when Lee says,  “Don’t you see? . . . The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin, and you call sin ignorance. The King James translation makes a promise in ‘Thou shalt,’ meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word, the word timshel—‘Thou mayest’—that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open.”

 

 

 

The thought-for-thought translations can lead to some confusion as to what the correct intention of the author was. With the idea that the entirety of the Bible is the “Word of God,” it’s important to get it right. Otherwise, you’re preaching a falsity.

 

In the scene laid out by John Steinbeck, the speaker is giving people a choice and establishing free will rather than predestination. This is a major point of contention in theological debate and it’s difficult, if not impossible, to come to a conclusion on it.

 

The Sermon, by Gari Melchers, 1886, Source: The Smithsonian American Art Museum

 

 

 

Another difficulty in doing a thought-for-thought translation of the Bible based on the multiple genres that make up the Bible. As explained by Minister Orpheus Heyward, the multiple genres of the Bible matter when trying to glean the desired understanding of a passage.

 

In terms of the thought-for-thought translation, some of the context will be lost due to the genre needing different readings. Some things in the Bible are meant to be read as songs (Psalms), metaphors, proverbs, and literal history. Sometimes these different genres don’t translate well into other languages and may become too confusing when trying to do a thought-for-thought translation. It may cause the translation to lose its impact.

 

Considerations for a Proper Translation of the Bible
Jesus preaching to a crowd, woodcut, by Hans Wechtlin the Elder, 1508, Source: The Welcome Collection

 

 

 

As you can see, there are a lot of difficulties when working on proper translations of the Bible. The translator will have to figure out which one best fits their goal.

 

New Testament scholar Dr. Gurry was interviewed by Dr. Brian Arnold on the Faith Seeking Understanding podcast created by the Phoenix Seminary. In it, Dr Gurry lays out five important questions that translators must consider when they’re doing their translation. He also gives a little information on how the answers to these questions affect the outcome of the translation itself.

 

The first question to consider is, “Who is the intended audience?” The translator must consider who they are trying to translate for in terms of age and maturity. That maturity is not just a literal maturity, but a spiritual maturity too. Education level is also of prime importance.

 

 

 

This all matters in terms of how the Bible will be translated. For example, are they translating for a Spanish child or a Biblical scholar from England? These sorts of questions will determine how in-depth the translation must be, as a thought-for-thought translation would likely work better for the child whereas, the Bible scholar would likely prefer a more literal word-for-word translation of the Bible.

 

The second question to be considered is: “Will this be a fresh translation or a revision of a former translation?” This will alter the translation significantly. For example, a translation of the original Greek and Hebrew text will have to set itself apart by having a different translation or take on specific words than other current in-print translations.

 

King James I, by John de Critz, 1605, Source: Museo Del Prado

 

 

 

On the other hand, a revision can maintain the integrity of the already completed translation but make it more readable or else interpret it for the desired intent. A translation of the original King James Version from 1611 may be done to make the words more understandable to a modern audience while keeping the beauty of the original.

 

Thirdly, what text will the translators translate? Someone may want to go all the way back to Tyndale’s translation or Martin Luther’s translation in German. Regardless of the choice, it will matter for the end result.

 

It could be a translation of a newly discovered text that they want to add to the Bible, which would naturally result in a very different understanding. By adding in, say, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the context of another book in the Bible might be wildly different.

 

Fourth, how do you handle culturally specific terms? Early in this article, a reference was made to how even within the United States there are cultural differences in how people talk and the words they use.

 

Printing Books, by Philipe Gale, 1590-3, Source: The National Gallery of Art

 

With that in mind, it makes sense that there would be some difficulty in deciding how to handle situations that don’t really translate well. These need to be handled in a specific way to get to the desired goal of being understood correctly by the target audience.

 

The final consideration for a translator is how much will the translation explain. This is important for the sake of footnotes. Will the translation just say the word-for-word translation or will it dig into what it means? Are there going to be notes added to it explaining what’s going on?

 

 

 

These are important considerations to get to the most effective translation of the Bible possible. People need to know what they’re reading and what it means in a more modern context. That way, to harken back to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, people don’t assume that Lot offering up his daughters was done maliciously.

 

Which Is the Best Translation of the Bible?
The Title Page for the Coverdale Bible, by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1535, via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

 

It’s been hinted at throughout the article, but a common follow-up question people have as to why there are so many different translations is “which one is best?” Hopefully, it has been conveyed well enough that there isn’t really a “best” translation. They each serve a specific purpose and are useful in their own way. But there is a “best” when speaking in more specific terms.

 

The kind of cheating answer, but nonetheless the absolute truth, is that the “best” is going to vary depending on the goal you’re trying to achieve. If you go to a modern church service, the general guidelines offered for a well-written sermon are: Include a main headline with three points and one to three subpoints to back up the initial point.

 

To help support their argument, pastors will often use multiple translations of the Bible for a single sermon. They will utilize the one that is written in the most comprehensive way to support their point. Sometimes the New International Version will word a verse more befitting the end goal than say the King James Version. Or maybe even the readability of The Message will help illustrate the point the best.

 

New International Version of the Bible, by Hoshie, Source: Wikimedia Commons

 

 

 

All of this really boils down to achieving the desired outcome. If you’re interested in a general overview of the Bible, you may want to turn The Message or an NIV translation. But if you’re trying to dig deep, then you will likely want the American Standard Version to get a more literal translation and to support you digging deeper into the original language the specific verse was written in. Doing this might result in a greater understanding of the author’s intent and, depending on your religious beliefs, a more clear understanding of what God truly believes.

 

That said, collect as many or as few translations as you want. After all, you can likely find every single version for free online."

#metaglossia_mundus

May 15, 2024 Tamar Kassarjian Literary Corner, Reflections "My journey with my first book, The Secret Language Method, over the past year has been nothing short of transformative, both for myself and for the countless individuals I’ve had the privilege of connecting with along the way. From the launch of my book on April 4, 2023, to the culmination of an inspiring book tour spanning from October 2023 to April 2024, this experience has shaped my understanding of the power of education and the beauty of linguistic exploration.

The Secret Language Method isn’t just a book—it’s a philosophy and methodology that seeks to redefine how we approach teaching language. Grounded in practical techniques and an appreciation for cognitive processes, this method motivates young readers to use their mother language in different scenarios, making it enjoyable and effective.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the tour was the diversity of experiences and perspectives I encountered. Whether I was in sunny Florida, vibrant New York City, windy Illinois, snowy Canada or mountainous California, I witnessed a common thread of a shared passion for speaking Armenian and loving our language.

 

At the heart of The Secret Language Method is a call to embrace one’s mother language as a tool to build confidence and express emotions effectively. For me, that language is Armenian, a rich and expressive language that holds deep cultural significance.

 

Concurrent with this book tour, I’ve been pursuing my master’s degree in healthcare administration. Balancing the demands of academia with book tours and school visits has been a challenging yet rewarding experience, reinforcing my belief in the importance of lifelong learning and personal growth.

I vividly recall being urged by my grandmother from a young age to speak Armenian consistently to preserve our heritage. However, this directive often felt more like an obligation than a choice, because I was unaware of its importance at a young age. This experience fueled my motivation to create this book—to make speaking Armenian enjoyable and appealing for children. Additionally, while teaching at the local Armenian school in Florida, I try to raise awareness about the evolving nature of Armenian identity in the diaspora. As we embrace multicultural experiences, it becomes increasingly vital to maintain our language and cultural roots.

Through my book and tours, I’ve encouraged individuals to use their mother languages more often, not only for practical communication but also to connect with their heritage and express their true selves. My goal has been to inspire young people to incorporate their native languages into daily communication.

 

The journey began with the excitement of introducing The Secret Language Method to the world. As I embarked on my book tour, visiting 38 locations across 13 states and Canada, I was met with enthusiasm and curiosity. From bustling classrooms to intimate book signings, each stop reinforced my belief in the transformative impact of education. Interacting with students and educators was a highlight, and it was inspiring to see students embrace their mother language and grow in confidence as they expressed themselves more freely.

One memorable moment was visiting Sipan Armenian School in New Jersey in late October. I was in awe that the event was held on a Friday night after a long day of regular school. I was so proud of the students and their love for attending Armenian school and making memories with friends on a Friday night. At the end of my reading, I met a sweet boy named Vicken. He wanted to purchase a book to take home and read to his little sister. Vicken mentioned that his mom’s name is Narine, which is the book’s main character’s name. During my tour in New Jersey, I also attended the AYF’s 90th Anniversary Gala. I desperately needed a makeup artist, so I searched on Instagram to find someone local. I came across a lovely lady named Narine. After chatting, I discovered that she was little Vicken’s mother! She mentioned how inspired Vicken was after I visited his school, so much so that he asked her how to say specific phrases in Armenian in order to DIY a book himself.  

Another memorable moment took place back in November 2023. I was working with a group from the ANCA to prepare for a rally during the Miami Republican debate. I connected with member Nerses Semerjian from Philadelphia to discuss the details. We realized that I had met Nerses’ son, Harout, while on tour visiting the Armenian Sisters’ Academy in Philadelphia. After the rally, Nerses sent me a sweet video of Harout introducing himself and reading my book’s first couple of pages so proudly. It was heartwarming to hear a little voice read my book.  

One last memory was on my recent tour to California. I traveled over an hour from where I was staying in Glendale to visit the Ari Guigos Minassian Armenian School in Orange County. This day was the first anniversary of publishing my book. After I read to more than 50 students, to my surprise they began to sing “Happy Birthday” for the book’s first anniversary. It was a goosebumps feeling. At every school I visited in California for my “anniversary tour,” I passed my reading book around for students to sign as a memento.  

As I look to the future, I’m already hard at work on my next book, eager to delve deeper into the theme of cultural identity. For schools and institutions interested in hosting me or learning more about my books, I encourage emailing tamarkassarjian@gmail.com. My Instagram account, @tamarkassarjian, offers a glimpse into my journey, showcasing the places I’ve visited and the incredible individuals I’ve had the honor of meeting. Education is a lifelong journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with the younger generation. 

Reflecting on the past year of adventures, lessons and connections, I’m grateful for the support and encouragement that have fueled this journey. What a journey it’s been in Florida, New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Boston, Providence, Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, California and Texas. I wanted to give a huge thank you to three individuals who supported me every step of the way: my mother Lara, my morkour Sose and my best friend Francesca. Without you three, my tours would have been impossible. As they say, it takes a village, but it’s not only about raising a family – it’s everything in life. I would like to also extend my deepest gratitude to the principals, educators, ARF/ARS/AYF/ABGU members, parents, family and friends who helped make all my tours possible. Also, thanks to my employer for working with all my days off. This book is dedicated to my Dede, who passed away when I was 16. I hope everything I’ve been able to do with this book has put a smile on his face as he watches over me. Together, we’re shaping a future where language is not just a means of communication but a bridge to cultural understanding, self-confidence and authentic expression. Here’s to a beautiful summer and the next tour!

Tamar Kassarjian

Tamar Kassarjian is a native Floridian and currently working toward her masters in healthcare administration. She serves on the executive of the ARS "Sosseh" Chapter, where she’s been a member for nine years. She also serves as the secretary for the AYF South Florida “Arev” Chapter, where she has been a member for five years. Tamar is active in her local Armenian community as an Armenian dance teacher at Arevig Dance Ensemble and an Armenian language kindergarten teacher at the local Sunday school."

#metaglossia_mundus

"Le Thi Van Anh

2nd year at the Faculty of Global Management
International Student from Vietnam
Enrollment in: April 2023

Desire to acquire wide and practical knowledge for my future career

  I believe studying abroad enlarges my global perspectives and provides an unparalleled networking opportunity that works for my future career. Many students in south-eastern Asia wish to work in their home country after graduating but I thought studying and working in Japan would work for my future career. That is why I decided to study in Japan.

  Before coming to Japan, I studied the basics of Japanese hard to start my life in Japan smoothly. I became able to communicate and have daily conversations in Japanese, especially through the preparation study for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Plus, I looked up beforehand how international students adapted to different cultures and what kind of culture shocks they have experienced, along with understanding Japanese customs and courtesy to know how international students should behave. In my case, I came to Japan with my sister and entered the Japanese school together. My sister who works at a Japanese financial firm now supports my university tuition. I really appreciate her support and I would like to do the same for my sisters and brothers in Vietnam when they grow up.

  Chuo University is one of the well-known universities in Japan boasting its long history and tradition. A famous university is fairly evaluated globally so learning at such a school will help me build certain trust when choosing my future path. There are three reasons for me choosing the Faculty of Global Management; a) the curriculum provided at the Faculty is highly evaluated, b) it is possible to earn practical knowledge of business in a broad sense, and c) there should be plenty of opportunities to learn in English. I think there are not many places in Japan where we can take such good courses in English. I believe what I learned here will become a firm foundation for my future career.

Drastically Improved Japanese Skill at the Faculty of Global Management

I have been studying hard on macroeconomics and microeconomics since entering Chuo University. Macroeconomics is a basic area of economics teaching the economies of nations and regions as a whole. On the other hand, microeconomics focuses on the economies of small units such as companies and markets. I learned the economic structure and trends through these two areas. In addition, I am studying investment evaluation methods for financial products such as stocks and bonds in the “investment appraisal” class. This includes a discount cash flow system and a risk assessment etc.  

  There are many international students from all over the world studying at the Faculty of Global Management. I also made new Japanese friends thanks to the opportunities to interact with Japanese students. At first, I was confused when talking with Japanese friends since they tend not to say things straightforward, however, I enriched my human relationships by getting along with friends with diverse backgrounds and sharing different perspectives and experiences with them. I can also tell that my language skills are improving drastically alongside the increase of opportunities to speak Japanese that is to say in daily conversation and class discussions etc.  

  Furthermore, thanks to the kind faculty members here, I can study feeling secure. Some professors have an experience of studying abroad and some are experts in overseas. Among them, Associate Professor, Dumayas Arianne Dela Rosa of the Faculty of Global Management is the one who studied at Chuo University as an international student when she was a university student. Although we are not from the same country, she cares about me for being the same south-eastern Asia nationality which is a great reassurance to me.  

  I have come to love Japanese food since I came here. My favorite now is the Izakaya menu which means dishes served at the bar. I especially like takoyaki and okonomiyaki which are unique to Japan. I sometimes cook kara-age (fried chicken), gyu-don (sauteed beef topped on rice), omu-rice (rice omelet) for myself with the help of an online recipe. I go to the Hilltop ’78 (a little bit far from the Faculty of Global Management) for lunch when I have classes. Curry rice and Ramen are cheap and the bakery here is the best.  

  Besides my life at Chuo, I work at the restaurant as a part-timer. There, I became friends with the nationalities of Sri Lanka and Nepal which I didn’t get to meet at the University. I am earning money for my living expenses and tuition. I also like to hang around urban cities and local areas to discover Japan. Traveling around new places will make your studying abroad experience more exciting. I wish to visit Okinawa and Hokkaido during a university student.

What a challenge to adapt oneself to a different culture and language!

I do have difficult times when studying abroad. I feel lonely for being alone in the first-ever place absence from the support of my parents or relatives. I sometimes get stressed out with a miscommunication arises from a cultural difference or being unable to communicate properly. On top of these, I need to work on household tasks and everyday difficulties. A daily shopping, cooking, washing and cleaning, everyday scheduling of classes, and a part-time job. Every single thing has to be done all by myself. I need to be independent in a real sense.

  However, it is challenging to adapt oneself to different cultures and languages. Under a new environment, we can gain self-sustainable competency although it may take time to get used to different living styles. I separated from my sister and started to live by myself this spring. I will do my best with the belief that facing and overcoming difficulties will improve my problem-solving ability and flexibility, as well as being capable in controlling stress effectively and gaining strength to tackle challenges.

  After graduating from Chuo, I wish to work at a foreign-affiliated accounting firm. These leading firms are well-recognized globally and require employees to possess high professionalism which means I can further brush up my specialized skills. To make my wish come true, I will do my best while in Chuo to absorb expert knowledge from professional teachers.

 

 

  Studying abroad offers you an incredible experience, and the opportunities it brings are immeasurable. Give your best effort while you're young, and savor every moment. The future holds a plethora of chances for you.

  Chuo University is a fantastic place where you can meet numerous friends and lay the foundation for your career. The bonds with friends and experiences in the academic community here will be invaluable assets in your future.

Contact

International Center

• 742-1 Higashinakano, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo
  192-0393 Japan
• +81-42-674-2211, 2212
• +81-42-674-2214"

 

#metaglossia_mundus

"The state is assembling a plan to tackle the looming ASL interpreter shortage. Meanwhile, unfilled requests for the service from the Deaf community are growing. 

By Jessie Van Berkel Star Tribune

 

MAY 17, 2024 — 7:00AM

Mai Vang communicates with hundreds of students using ASL while Danielle Gournaris and Kari Sween look on during a panel discussing professions using ASL, living as a deaf person and other relevant topics at Prior Lake High School in Savage on Tuesday.

Deaf Minnesotans made a pitch from the auditorium stage at Prior Lake High School to an audience of about 325 students studying sign language: We need you.

American Sign Language interpreters are an essential part of life for thousands of Minnesotans. They are there when someone is diagnosed with cancer or if they end up in court. They attend weddings, family reunions and funerals.

But the pool of interpreters is shrinking in Minnesota and across the nation. A survey of Minnesota interpreters in 2021 found nearly 40% expected to leave the profession within five years. Leaders of two interpreting agencies in Minnesota said they are seeing service requests rising and more of those asks are going unmet.

Meanwhile, the three Minnesota colleges with interpreter training programs have seen participation drop.

"We're afraid for our quality of life. We're afraid we're losing our access to communication. We're afraid to be pushed aside," said Darlene Zangara, executive director Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing.

 

Darlene Zangara communicates with hundreds of students using American Sign Language (ASL) during a panel discussion on ASL professions, living as a Deaf person and other relevant topics at Prior Lake High School in Savage on Tuesday.

The commission launched an "Interpreting Forward 2030″ effort and has gathered ideas from around the state on how to shore up the interpreter workforce and ensure people get high-quality services. The input doesn't point to one simple solution. Zangara said the commission will create a website this summer highlighting a long list of issues, and those will be narrowed into a plan.

One of the first problems, many people said, is too few people consider an ASL interpreting career.

 

So a panel of Deaf leaders, a child of deaf adults and an interpreter assembled Tuesday in the auditorium of Prior Lake High School, which has seen an explosion of student interest in ASL classes in recent years. Students signed questions about the visitors' lives and the panelists ended the conversation by stressing the need for more interpreters.

Joe Klug, who started learning ASL in high school and now works as a freelance interpreter, sees the high demand for the service daily. He checked his phone after an hour of talking to students and had received numerous work requests.

Klug tried to spark interest among the young ASL learners. He shared his story of getting paid to work on a Caribbean cruise and the biggest celebrity he has interpreted for: Bill Nye.

"I completely sat up in my chair and I was paying attention," said Nikhil Gajria, a junior who was one of several students in the crowd who said they are considering an interpreting career. "He traveled on a cruise for eight days and he met Bill Nye? I'm like, OK, I am able to be an interpreter and contribute to the ASL community — but I also get to meet crazy people that I may not even realize was a possibility."

A difficult professional path

People in the field and those who use interpreters said they often provide a service at key moments in someone's life.

 

"We get to see births and we get to be there when people pass," said Bridget Sabatke, an interpreter and assistant professor at St. Catherine University.

Many colleges and universities offer American Sign Language classes, but St. Catherine is one of the few with an interpreting program. ASL is a language and a culture, Sabatke said, but interpreting programs teach ethics and how to listen and talk at the same time.

Their interpreter class size dropped from 16 people before COVID-19 to seven, Sabatke said. At North Central University, assistant professor Sydney Groven said their graduating class in ASL interpreting has fallen from nine people to one this year.

Educators and interpreters said broad demographic and workforce factors are contributing to the looming shortage, including the decline in college enrollment and baby boomer retirements. And fewer colleges are requiring foreign language classes, Groven said, so not as many people are exposed to ASL.

There are also industry-specific issues, like getting people to stick in a profession that involves a number of expensive hurdles post-college.

 

Once someone gets their degree they can provide the type of interpreting services Klug does. They often work at community, corporate or college events and provide video relay services, which allow people with hearing disabilities to have telephone conversations.

But interpreters need to score well on a specialized assessment to work in educational settings. Those who want to become court or medical interpreters must get additional training and usually have to earn their national certification — widely considered the gold standard for interpreters — which involves challenging tests. It can take years for someone to achieve that certification, which interpreters said allows them to earn higher pay.

Interpreters' income varies. Some school district job postings offer around $30 an hour while the Minnesota Judicial System pays up to $86 an hour.

The certification process should be less expensive and easier to pass, said Kathleen Smith, president of Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens. She said that in the past people could request an interpreter a day or two ahead of an appointment, but with the growing shortage they now need to reach out at least a week in advance.

Getting the right interpreter

There's a delicate balance between making it easier to become an interpreter and ensuring people are highly qualified, many people said. The Interpreting Forward 2030 initiative started with talks about additional interpreter regulations, Zangara said, but broadened as they learned about the shortage.

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The nonprofit Minnesota Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf conducted the 2021 Minnesota interpreter census that exposed the scale of the looming shortfall. It found more than 500 people were working as interpreters in Minnesota. There are likely a couple hundred more people doing ASL interpreting who weren't reflected in the count, said Tarra Grammenos, past president of the nonprofit.

But she said that's far from enough. There is not an exact count of how many deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Minnesotans use ASL, but national organizations estimate there are roughly 50 people who use ASL in the U.S. for every one interpreter.

"The number of interpreters are dwindling but our number of Deaf community members are growing," Grammenos said. "Close to 1,000, I think, would cover what we need. We don't have that."

The survey also showed only 6% of interpreters identify as people of color. Cultural nuance is often lost when someone of a different race or ethnicity interprets, several deaf Minnesotans said.

"We need BIPOC interpreters, people who match me," St. Paul and Minneapolis Black Deaf Advocates President Cookie J. Brand told Prior Lake High School students. "How many times do I see a Black interpreter? Very, very few times."

 

Nuance is also lost when hospitals lean on virtual technology for interpreting services, people noted. The technology often freezes and Zangara, who is a cancer survivor, said it's difficult to concentrate on a small screen when you are in pain.

Deaf patients sometimes delay medical treatment because no one is available to interpret, Grammenos added.

"Lives could be threatened if they cannot get interpreters," she said.

 

Hundreds of students listen to a panel discussing professions using ASL, living as a Deaf person and other relevant topics at Prior Lake High School in Savage on Tuesday.

 

Jessie Van Berkel is the Star Tribune’s social services reporter. She writes about Minnesota’s most vulnerable populations and the systems and policies that affect them. Topics she covers include disability services, mental health, addiction, poverty, elder care and child protection.

jessie.vanberkel@startribune.com"

#metaglossia_mundus

"Generative AI is trained on just a few of the world’s 7,000 languages. Here’s why that’s a problem – and what’s being done about it

May 17, 2024

Companies are embedding more languages in their AI models.

Madeleine North

Senior Writer, Forum Agenda

• Generative AI is mainly trained on the English language, leading to bias and, in some cases, errors with serious consequences.
• Companies and governments are taking action and creating their own AI models to ensure more of the world’s 7,000 languages are embedded in the technology.
• Preserving cultural heritage is one of the suggested actions put forward in the World Economic Forum’s Presidio Recommendations on Responsible Generative AI.

"Ka pai te AI Whakaputanga i ngā reo?"

According to ChatGPT – and hopefully anyone Māori – the above sentence means, “Is Generative AI good at languages?”.

The answer: yes and no.

With the majority of large language models (LLMs) trained on English text, if you are, say, a student in Odisha, India, using AI to analyze a research paper in your native Odia language, the likes of ChatGPT, Claude and Google Bard may let you down.

This may have serious consequences in some cases. A translator in the US told Reuters Context that four in ten of their Afghan asylum cases derailed in 2023 due to inaccurate AI-driven translation apps.

So what is going on here? There are over 7,000 languages spoken in the world, yet most AI chatbots are trained on around 100 of them. And English, despite being spoken by less than 20% of the world’s population, accounts for almost two-thirds of websites and is the main driver of LLMs, says the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT).

The English language dominates the internet, and therefore generative AI models too.Image: Reuters Context

Generative AI and its language bias

Inevitably, this linguistic imbalance is leading to issues.

The “insane mistakes” spotted by the asylum application translators included names becoming months, crucial details missing, even immigration sentences being reversed. "The machines themselves are not operating with even a fraction of the quality they need to be able to do casework that's acceptable for someone in a high-stakes situation," Ariel Koren, founder of Respond Crisis Translation, told Reuters Context.

It’s a view shared by CDT’s Gabriel Nicholas and Aliya Bhatia, who point out that, despite the gradual emergence of Multilingual Language Models (MLMs), they “are still usually trained disproportionately on English language text and thus end up transferring values and assumptions encoded in English into other language contexts where they may not belong”. They give the example of the word “dove”, which an MLM might interpret in various languages as being associated with peace, but the Basque equivalent (“uso”) is in fact an insult.

What’s needed is the development of non-English Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications, say experts, to help reduce the language bias in generative AI and “preserve cultural heritage”. The latter is one of 30 suggested actions put forward in the World Economic Forum’s Presidio Recommendations on Responsible Generative AI. “Public and private sector should invest in creating curated datasets and developing language models for underrepresented languages, leveraging the expertise of local communities and researchers and making them available,” it says.

Addressing the AI language bias

There are signs that governments, the tech community and even individuals are taking steps to resolve the AI language issue.

The Indian government is building Bhashini, an AI translation system trained on local languages. There are 22 official ones, but few are currently captured by NLP applications. Indian tech firm Karya is also trying to redress the balance by building datasets for firms like Microsoft and Google to use in AI models. It’s a painstaking process, involving people reading words in their native language into an app.

Launched in the UAE in 2023, Jais AI is an Arabic language model capable of generating high-quality text in Arabic, including regional dialects, says Digital Watch. The developers, G42, next plan to bring out the world’s first Arabic robot assistant.

In New Zealand, local broadcaster Te Hiku Media is harnessing AI to aid the “preservation, promotion and revitalization of te reo Māori,” its chief technology officer told Nvidia, which helped create the automatic speech recognition models it says can transcribe te reo with 92% accuracy.

In a similar endeavour, grassroots organization Masakhane is working to “strengthen and spur NLP research in African languages”. There are around 2,000 languages spoken across Africa, yet they are “barely represented in technology”, it says.

Nigeria's government is also taking action, recently launching its first multilingual LLM. “The LLM will be trained on five low-resource languages and accented English to ensure stronger language representation in existing datasets for the development of artificial intelligence solutions,” Dr 'Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, announced on LinkedIn.

In the Brazilian Amazon, 300 languages are spoken by indigenous people, but only a few of the major ones are recognized by LLMs.

After being unable to communicate with the Amazonian community he was living and working with, Turkish artist Refik Anadol – who co-created the indigenous digital artwork Winds of Yawanawa – turned his frustration into action. Anadol has spearheaded the creation of an open-source AI tool “for any indigenous people” to “preserve their language with technology”, he told the World Economic Forum at this year’s Annual Meeting in Davos.

“How on Earth can we create an AI that doesn’t know the whole of humanity?” he asked.

With a language “disappearing” at a rate of one every fortnight, according to UNESCO, generative AI could prove to be the death knell, or the saviour, of many of them."

#metaglossia_mundus