Scenario: Translation

As an Action Learning coach, how would you manage a session whereby team members are from diversed backgrounds and they are fluent in their own languages? As the coach, you have the ability to provide translation, both for the questions put forth and statements of respond, but the concern is that the essence of the session would be lost.

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    Magdalena Stefanska

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    It may be a good idea to discuss briefly this issue with the team before the session starts. A coach may ask the team members how the translation influences on the essence of the discussion and if there is any other way to discuss the problem. Avoiding specific jargons, keeping the discussion simple may emerge from the conversation, a coach can express his/her recommendation based on previous experiences but it shall be a decission of the team, not the coach.

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    Marcella Lucas

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    I would discuss this with the group/team lead before the session to determine the preferred language to be used in the session, and to understand the level of language proficiency among the different participants. I would also ask the contact person for their preferred approach and also shared my recommendation. I would recommend, that if a question/statement needs to be translated, that another participant does so, rather than me, the coach. I would also potentially factor in a bit of additional time for the session, to account for the additional time needed for translation.

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