Professional and Cultural Protocol
The role of an interpreter/translator and research and evaluation specialist embedded in a delegation conducting field study in an unfamiliar culture can be culturally and professionally challenging. In both cases, if not handled properly, can create awkward situations that may or may not be understood by both sides.
When you visit your school and in meetings with government education officials an interpreter is really supposed to be invisible. While the interpreter will speak good English, keep in mind that he/she is conveying information for a school administrator or senior central/provincial government official. Questions and comments should be directed to the government official, principal etc. and not the interpreter.
In the school setting you will become close to the English interpreter(s) that will be assigned to you. It is important to be aware when you are in an official mode and when you are in a personal mode. All of this is a learning process when experiencing a culture very different than our own. You will make mistakes and both sides often have a good sense of humor about good intentions somehow not coming across they way one might expect. I will provide cultural clues as we experience Chinese culture in Beijing and when you are on your own with your sister school it is okay to ask your interpreter to advise on protocol when you feel the need. Humility and the attitude of willingness to learn is a very good way to begin the development of your relationship with your sister school.
We will also have an embedded research and evaluation specialist in our delegation who is very knowledgeable of Shandong and Chinese culture. You may be tempted to use the specialist as a personal cultural attendant or do some "work" for you. Please do not do that. It will become culturally awkward for the specialist and can interfere with the evaluation and research purpose. We know from a review of the literature that the research and evaluation we are doing is very limited. There are very different perspectives on "research" for both sides that can make it very challenging to conduct. Prior to our seminar on March 29 we expect to have an instrument for you to complete so we can begin, what I believe, can be very important to the Connecticut-Shandong relationship and for others who may wish to embark on developing relationships between two very different cultures.
Cultural and logistical questions related to our field study should be directed to me or Lou and we will do our best to provide you with information. You will find that we work closely with Peng by informing and sharing what we know in both formal and informal ways as we all experience Chinese culture together. It is impossible to know everything in 10 to 12 days. Most of all, I want you to keep an open mind, relax and absorb all you can from a culture that values social relationships, hospitality and order. At our next seminar I will provide a list of some cultural "no, no's" that I have collected over time so you can shock the Chinese with your sensitivity and expertise.
When you visit your school and in meetings with government education officials an interpreter is really supposed to be invisible. While the interpreter will speak good English, keep in mind that he/she is conveying information for a school administrator or senior central/provincial government official. Questions and comments should be directed to the government official, principal etc. and not the interpreter.
In the school setting you will become close to the English interpreter(s) that will be assigned to you. It is important to be aware when you are in an official mode and when you are in a personal mode. All of this is a learning process when experiencing a culture very different than our own. You will make mistakes and both sides often have a good sense of humor about good intentions somehow not coming across they way one might expect. I will provide cultural clues as we experience Chinese culture in Beijing and when you are on your own with your sister school it is okay to ask your interpreter to advise on protocol when you feel the need. Humility and the attitude of willingness to learn is a very good way to begin the development of your relationship with your sister school.
We will also have an embedded research and evaluation specialist in our delegation who is very knowledgeable of Shandong and Chinese culture. You may be tempted to use the specialist as a personal cultural attendant or do some "work" for you. Please do not do that. It will become culturally awkward for the specialist and can interfere with the evaluation and research purpose. We know from a review of the literature that the research and evaluation we are doing is very limited. There are very different perspectives on "research" for both sides that can make it very challenging to conduct. Prior to our seminar on March 29 we expect to have an instrument for you to complete so we can begin, what I believe, can be very important to the Connecticut-Shandong relationship and for others who may wish to embark on developing relationships between two very different cultures.
Cultural and logistical questions related to our field study should be directed to me or Lou and we will do our best to provide you with information. You will find that we work closely with Peng by informing and sharing what we know in both formal and informal ways as we all experience Chinese culture together. It is impossible to know everything in 10 to 12 days. Most of all, I want you to keep an open mind, relax and absorb all you can from a culture that values social relationships, hospitality and order. At our next seminar I will provide a list of some cultural "no, no's" that I have collected over time so you can shock the Chinese with your sensitivity and expertise.
posted by Daniel at
6:30 AM
