Dear Reader,
The simple birthday song above implies a principle that I have considered important in my life since I was a little kid just learning to speak. Everyone understands the same message differently.
Languages have always fascinated me. There is what some would call magic in how two people can say the same thing but in two totally different ways. You might call me biased because it is my career, but linguistics and translation is vital in our world today.
It recently came to my attention that the White House removed their Spanish localization and translations from their website, as seen on inverse.com, gizmodo.com, and other websites. While the website underwent a huge change for a new president and his cabinet, it is more than a slight oversight to remove any language from your website, especially if the website represents a government entity.
Now, I'm doing my best to give our new president the benefit of the doubt, despite the numerous scandals, outrageous statements and ego injected into his campaign for the presidency. However, it is important that the simple idea implied by the song above is taught: everyone needs to hear things in their own language.
This is not just my belief. This is an eternal truth. As recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 90, "every man shall hear the fullness of the gospel in his own tongue." While this scripture refers to just the fullness of the gospel, it is important for everyone to hear truths of all kinds in their own language. The Book of Mormon also reads, "...for he speaketh unto men according to their language; unto their understanding" (2 Nephi 31:3). In layman's terms, everyone can receive revelation for themselves from Heavenly Father in their own language, whether directly from him or from a translation of his revelations to his servants on the earth.
Is it too much to ask for a government to follow suit in speaking to their citizens and acquaintances? In our country which is a melting pot of all other nations on the planet, translation and clear communication is necessary in all walks of life. I meet people almost daily who either do not speak English at all or are still learning. In either of those cases, it is important that they can access information they need, whether it be about their schooling, their housing, the terms of buying a product or simply getting directions. As a leader in any organization, but especially in government, it is important to reach out by at least attempting to learn other languages so communication can be clear when discussing trade deals, navigating citizenship processes or simply having a party with international guests.
All I am trying to say is that even if removing the Spanish translation from whitehouse.gov was an oversight, it should be remedied as soon as possible. Everyone deserves to understand in their own language.
The simple birthday song above implies a principle that I have considered important in my life since I was a little kid just learning to speak. Everyone understands the same message differently.
Languages have always fascinated me. There is what some would call magic in how two people can say the same thing but in two totally different ways. You might call me biased because it is my career, but linguistics and translation is vital in our world today.
It recently came to my attention that the White House removed their Spanish localization and translations from their website, as seen on inverse.com, gizmodo.com, and other websites. While the website underwent a huge change for a new president and his cabinet, it is more than a slight oversight to remove any language from your website, especially if the website represents a government entity.
Now, I'm doing my best to give our new president the benefit of the doubt, despite the numerous scandals, outrageous statements and ego injected into his campaign for the presidency. However, it is important that the simple idea implied by the song above is taught: everyone needs to hear things in their own language.
This is not just my belief. This is an eternal truth. As recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 90, "every man shall hear the fullness of the gospel in his own tongue." While this scripture refers to just the fullness of the gospel, it is important for everyone to hear truths of all kinds in their own language. The Book of Mormon also reads, "...for he speaketh unto men according to their language; unto their understanding" (2 Nephi 31:3). In layman's terms, everyone can receive revelation for themselves from Heavenly Father in their own language, whether directly from him or from a translation of his revelations to his servants on the earth.
Is it too much to ask for a government to follow suit in speaking to their citizens and acquaintances? In our country which is a melting pot of all other nations on the planet, translation and clear communication is necessary in all walks of life. I meet people almost daily who either do not speak English at all or are still learning. In either of those cases, it is important that they can access information they need, whether it be about their schooling, their housing, the terms of buying a product or simply getting directions. As a leader in any organization, but especially in government, it is important to reach out by at least attempting to learn other languages so communication can be clear when discussing trade deals, navigating citizenship processes or simply having a party with international guests.
All I am trying to say is that even if removing the Spanish translation from whitehouse.gov was an oversight, it should be remedied as soon as possible. Everyone deserves to understand in their own language.
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