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Monica & all,

This is where we find ourselves wandering into the political realm.  Yet another BIG discussion with no clear cut right or wrong.  

Let me say first I have very mixed feelings about this. I am a first generation American. Parents of German descent who for reasons that were much more important back in the 50s & 60s decided not to teach us German.  They felt a strong need to assimilate.  My father learned English on his own, working with the farmer who sponsored him and reading the labels on cans of food in the grocery where he earned extra money.  By the time I was growing up he could whoop all of us at Scrabble (But he still had a THICK Prussian accent until he died).  To this day I regret not speaking a second language.  My daughter is in her third year of Mandarin. We tell her if she learns Spanish too she will be able to travel the globe with no problems.

I would love to hear more from our European members about how languages are handled in museums in countries like Germany or France.  I know my various cousins, nieces and nephews in Germany and England all speak at least two if not three languages.  Sometimes I think the great English First argument is as much a reaction to the fact that we are so far behind in language education in this country that we have to cover up the guilt with good old American bone-headed stubbornness.  Yet I do tend to believe that to live here in America it is in a person's best interest to learn English.  Sorry, but that only makes sense.  BUT that doesn't mean I think that our museum's should have an English only policy.  Every day I learn a new word in another language I feel so much more empowered. If doing bilingual signage can promote that then let's do it.  

Now from the perspective of an exhibit designer I have greater opinions on the issues related to making an exhibit work well. Issues with "graphic clutter", clear instruction and meaningful context often are much harder when we have to add the second language.  For as much as I fear the image of museums full of folks looking at their smart phones, I do think the technology will help us greatly with this issue of languages. Especially when we don't have to pick just one second language but can offer a number.  But that also brings up another common issue with exhibits: resources.

Erich Rose

Erich Rose Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]

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