ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Another option for multilingual visitors is to provide a print copy of the
graphics in paper form, divided into location/floor or level/exhibition name
for easy reference.  Also of use is a no charge audio tour in a certain
language.  Both are 'reasonable accommodations', often attractive for donor
support.

Terrie

Terrie Nolinske, Ph.D.
Principal
TNI Consultants LLC

A Woman Business Enterprise

Phone: 813. 973. 2102
Email: [log in to unmask]
URL: www.tniconsultants.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Russell
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 12:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Bilingual Signage in Museums

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
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A few comments on bilingual signage:


1.  For a conference that I organized entitled "Expanding Informal Science
for Latinos," we had several authors write brief reviews of important
issues, such as working with Hispanic media, language/culture issues, etc.,
so you may find the papers useful when you are planning exhibits or programs
with an emphasis on engaging Latino students and families.  You can access
these reviews with the link that was previously provided by Steve Yalowitz:


https://custom.cvent.com/31CAE59B86B34D008A931B151B002A5C/files/d0b4f0e22d20
4191a434374ffc2e289b.pdf 


2.  For an earlier project that involved developing outreach exhibits for
Latinos that were used in community settings, festivals and schools, we had
bilingual English/Spanish  labels.  We found this really increased the
involvement of Spanish-dependent parents who did not need to rely on their
children as translators.  We often had high school or undergraduate
bilingual Latino students to work with families as explainers.  This was
also really encouraged participation -- the students were often familiar
faces from their community.  In short, bilingual signage is good and having
explainers from the community in combination with bilingual labels is even
better.
3.  We found that there were, at times, regional differences in health
terminology used by participants from different countries/cultures, so
translators and label writers have to be aware of that.
4.  In a Spanish language news services project, we found that readers could
tell the difference between stories translated from English to Spanish and
stories written originally in Spanish.  
5.  We found it most effective to use native Spanish speakers who were
fluent in English to translate/adapt English to Spanish.  They would often
rephrase so that the same    content was conveyed, but presented in a more
fluent fashion.
Bob Russell
National Center for Interactive Learning/Space Science Institute
Principal, Informal Learning Solutions








From: Erich Rose <[log in to unmask]>
To: ISEN-ASTC-L <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tue, Dec 6, 2011 6:55 am
Subject: Re: Bilingual Signage in Museums


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