Building cultural understanding
With societies becoming more diverse, the risk of intercultural misunderstanding is very real.
Travel is one way to learn about different cultural perspectives, another is by working together with other cultures internationally.
That is exactly what interpreting and international studies students from AUT and students from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences have been doing through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).
“This initiative has benefited our students enormously over the past couple of years as they uncover what is inhibitive or prohibitive in their own and others’ cultures,” says AUT’s Ineke Crezee, Professor of Translation and Interpreting.
The COIL included a session with staff from the language services section at the International Criminal Court in the Hague (ICC).
“Interpreters help facilitate communication across both cultural and linguistic boundaries – but they can only do so if they are first aware of their own, often unspoken, beliefs and perspectives,” Professor Crezee says.
“COIL is fantastic. My students learn better from actually interacting with people from other cultures than from a book.”
The collaboration was recently celebrated with a pōwhiri and an event at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, also attended by the New Zealand Ambassador to the Netherlands and interpreters from the ICC.
Speakers at the event shared their experiences of working across cultures.
Professor Crezee says the event was an inspirational and vibrant way to recognise the importance of cultural diversity and awareness in education.
“Intercultural awareness is so important. Different cultures have different things that you should not do. For example, using the okay symbol is incredibly inappropriate when interacting with people from Iran or Afghanistan. When eating lunch with the Spanish discussing business is very rude. Save it for afterwards.
“There are many pitfalls when you interact with people from different cultures.”
Professor Crezee says an open mind is needed when working with people from other cultures.
“Some behaviour might shock you but take a deep breath and don’t judge - and if you want to, ask about it.”
The learning that the universities’ students get from the top-notch interpreters working at the ICC is invaluable, she says.
“The ICC is where people are tried for crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity. It is an intense and fascinating environment where translators and interpreters are essential not just in the courtroom but also for interactions with witnesses, court staff, psychologists and doctors.
“With languages from all over the world spoken, these professionals are instrumental to ensure a fair trial, and here again, intercultural awareness is vital.”