At 12:58 27-04-2001 +0200, Michael M Pannwitz wrote:
Dear Harrison, I am one of those that care about open space spreading in the German-speaking realms. And I am not pleased with the word by word translation of the User's Guide that was done by Klett-Kotta. In fact, I consider it a barrier to open space spreading. At the same time I know that nothing, not even a horrid translation, can stop open space. It has been here and everywhere else in the world all along.
A bad translation can make a lot of dammage. At least, can delay the process for some time. Probably, it will also create in a certain country/language a group of misleaded facilitators that will confuse the marketplace.
Last, a piece of advice from my colleague John Webb that I also embrace: only those publishers and translators that have been in open space get a license to translate and distribute the User's Guide.
Not sure about publishers, but I completely agree in relation with translators. A "professional translator" can understand the words, not the dynamics (or spirit) of Open Space. Please always choose a translator (or a reviewer) with Open Space experience. And with some ethical principles. Is it ethical to accept to do a translation if one doesn't fully understand the subject? I will try to get the Spanish version to check the quality (*). Harrison, if or when you plan to accept a Portuguese version, even if I will not have the time to translate it, I will be glad to do a pre-publishing review (for free). I have on print a text in Portuguese on "Fundamentals of Open Space" (19 A4 pages). It is not a "translation" but a "vision" of OST. If anyone needs it for projects in Portuguese speaking countries I will be glad to send a digital version (for free) or the printed version for the price it costs to me (half price, I think). By the way, I have also on print my first text on "Interactive Methods for Information Systems Planning and Development" (combining OST with strutured IS methods). I can also send it in the same conditions. And I profit to thank Lisa for her very detailed revision directly on the Portuguese version (the only that exists by now...) (*) Regards Artur (*) - please note that one that understands Portuguese can read a Spanish version and vice-versa - as Lisa proved ;-) * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
