Comments on: Lost in Translation in China

By: Gut Pointing to Success

Gut Pointing to Success — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:43:50 +0000

[…] big project in China last year was a good example of an emotional destination that felt totally right to my gut but […]

By: Paula Shoup

Paula Shoup — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:22:37 +0000

In reply to Gail Willmore. Thanks Gail - Yes, communication has its challenges even in the same language. I am learning a lot about listening very intently and for the true message in my communcations with the students here. It has been an incredible experience. Paula

By: Paula Shoup

Paula Shoup — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:20:57 +0000

In reply to Tom Albrecht. Hi Tom - Great examples of not believing or understanding what is so different in our experiences that it is unimaginable. Thanks so much for sharing; I look forward to hearing more about your amazing trip. Paula

By: Paula Shoup

Paula Shoup — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:19:35 +0000

In reply to Josephine Morris. Josephine - Thanks for you comment about similarities on your trip to Mexico. I have been amazed and pleasantly surprised at how much people want to help me learn about their culture in many different places. The Chinese people have been especially kind and the student are full of positive energy and enthusiasm. Paula

By: Gail Willmore

Gail Willmore — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:07:50 +0000

It was just the other day, when I was at a potluck dinner with the other 5th grade parents. One of the parents was telling a story about a break in they had when one of their children were home. At the end, I asked if they had an alarm. Some how the question got translated (listened) into, “how could they leave their children home alone with the alarm off?” It was a very interesting conversation.

Sounds like you are enjoying your trip and making a difference! I look forward to your next blog!

By: Tom Albrecht

Tom Albrecht — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:23:10 +0000

During my summer bicycle trip, I often encountered ‘lost in translation’ moments. Any situation where what you are doing or saying is so different from the other person’s experience can cause a communication gap. In upstate New York, I stopped at a hotel for the evening. The hotel manager saw me ride up on my bike and park it just outside the door. He asked me where I was traveling from and to. I told him I was going from San Diego to Maine. Then he asked how much of it I was doing on the bike. My answer, ‘All of it.’ He stopped looking for the reservation on his computer, turned to me and said, ‘On a bike? You ain’t BSin’ me, are you?’
That scenario was played out almost everyday of my trip. The few exceptions to that experience were with a few people I met that knew someone who had done a trip like mine or a couple of people I came across that had done long bicycle trips themselves. They immediately jumped to questions like ‘How many miles/day?’ and ‘What’s been your best experience so far?’
People will refuse to believe what’s right in front of their eyes if it doesn’t match with their experience even when you do share a common language!

By: Josephine Morris

Josephine Morris — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:03:54 +0000

I just returned from a trip to Mexico so I can totally relate to this post! Even though I speak Spanish, there were some colloquial phrases that I didn’t understand or that didn’t translate the same. It’s amazing though how willing people are to embrace each other and learn from one another.