Bini Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 I wanted to know how wards, specifically the bishopric, handle language barriers with new families? Is there a protocol? Or does it just depend on how proactive the bishopric is in figuring out a solution? Is it even the bishopric's responsibility to figure out a solution? It seems that with people travelling more and hopping across the pond to start a new life in a foreign country, that there'd be lots of language barriers out there in wards. And from personal experience, I know not understanding songs, talks, and lessons due to a language barrier can be frustrating and discouraging for families. So wanted to know how this works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classylady Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 My daughter, who lives in So. Korea, is definitely experiencing a language barrier in her ward. She has lived there for 5 years, has taken Korean classes, but still struggles with the language. She needs her husband to help her with any callings she has. It's hard to be the Primary President when she can't converse with the children or any of the teachers. When we visited her ward, the Bishop made sure there were interpreters for us. But, with her living there full time, she doesn't get that help. Her husband will interpret for her when she doesn't understand. I know she has had some misunderstandings because of not understanding what has been said. When we visited our son's ward in Germany, there were enough English speakers, that they always had an interpreter for the talks (not for the Sacrament or prayers). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 The bishopric is in charge of the ward, so yeah, language barriers are brought up in ward council. Usually, a search for interpreters is made - most likely RM's or the missionaries. My son is the deacon president and they had a family of Spanish speakers get baptized and join the quorum. The Spanish speakers in the ward either had callings or was taking care of the other family members which left the deacon without an interpreter. Not a problem. My son ran the quorum with google interpreter on his phone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 My son ran the quorum with google interpreter on his phone... Your son is a sweetheart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LiterateParakeet Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 On my mission, we visited Aruba briefly (yes, it was amazing!) Aruba is interesting, language wise, because they have four languages that are commonly spoken. Most signs have translations in all four languages. The languages are Spanish, English, Dutch and a Native dialect. Most of the people who live there are bilingual speaking either Spanish or English and one of the other languages. We ran into the missionaries there and asked them how they worked this out for church meetings. They said the speakers offer their talks in either Spanish or English, whichever they are more comfortable with, and then there are Spanish versions and English versions of the classes. In my Stake we have a Spanish Branch, for those that would like to attend. I don't know what we would do for other languages...to my knowledge that need has not arisen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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