ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Monica:

Interesting perspective, but :)......in fact, if an institutions  
restricts the graphic language, they perpetuate a norm that is  
exclusive.  You say that it is dependent on location, but how, then,  
would you suggest the determination be made?  Does it require X number  
of Y language speakers before the effort is made?  That you can't be  
all inclusive can be handled in other ways, as you suggest.  The  
important point is that institutions engage in such dialogue and make  
a good faith effort.  While it may require a paradigm shift in how  
many approach the graphic design process, it seems an effort well  
worth making.

I don't mean to sound too critical - I am a middle-aged, balding white  
guy who is fairly aware of the privileges that this status has  
afforded me - I just think it is a discussion that is well worth  
having again...

Sounds like a good topic for an ASTC session, or even a RAP...

On Dec 6, 2011, at 9:39 AM, (Monica Post) wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> I understand that this is not a popular opinion, but I think it  
> needs to be said.  Depending on where you are located (because there  
> are some exceptions), bilingual signs actually send a message of  
> exclusion rather than inclusion.  In my community we have large  
> Hispanic, Laotian and Croatian populations.  A bilingual sign  
> (Spanish/American English), says to those who don't speak Spanish or  
> English "sorry, but this museum isn't for you".  On the other hand,  
> by using the one predominate language you are not excluding anyone,  
> just working within social norms.  Fortunately, technology has made  
> language translation so easy now all signs can be translated into  
> audio versions.  I also heard the other day that there is a Droid  
> app that takes a text based sign and translates it to any (I'm  
> somewhat skeptical of that) language.  So, I reccommend caution  
> regarding bilingual signage.
> Monica
> ******************************************
> Monica Post
> MPR Museum Consulting
> 105 NE 64th Street
> Des Moines, IA 50327
> ****Phone: 515 249-2222  ****  This is new!
> www.MPRconsultants.com
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers  
> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org 
> .
>
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L- 
> Soft. To learn more, visit
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]

	


***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]