Tag Archives: translators

The Weight of Words

Have you ever heard, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me”? Who came up with that saying? Whoever it was, they must have never heard hurtful words.

The truth is words can hurt just as much as stones. Words have weight, too. Sure, we might not stay as sensitive to others’ remarks as we were in, say, junior high, but that doesn’t mean we can’t feel pain caused by words. A promise broken, a lie told, a trust betrayed – each involves words and can dent or even shatter our lives.

On the flip side, words can anchor us to good things, catapult us into greatness and change lives. Words like home, traditions, family, love (casa, tradiciones, familia, amor) give context to our lives and – while we may feel that they weigh us down at times – they could also help keep our feet on the ground where we need to be. Many agree that these words play a big role in Latin American culture even in the 21st-century. Encouraging words can tip the scales and help us overcome our doubts. Who hasn’t been strengthened by a “Go for it!” or a “Great job!”? As one man put it, “Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.” [1] Truly, the right word at the right time can change someone’s life.

So what is a well-said, well-timed word’s weight worth? An ancient proverb says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” [2] Gold and silver? Now that’s some valuable weight!

At Understanding the Guatemalan Patient, we want to help you know just the right words so that you can use them at just the right time. One pocket-sized book may weigh only 2.5 ounces, but with 600+ entries in the Spanish-English section alone, its worth far more than it’s weight in words. (And it won’t tip the luggage scale or overload your purse!)

[1] Napoleon Hill, http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/words.html#0uXG51BYgbIWGPfc.99 (accessed 10 August 2015).

[2] Attributed to King Solomon, Proverbs 25:11, ESV.

Of Weaving & Words

Thread by thread, line upon line somehow turn into a work of art. Strands of color slowly come together under skillful fingers until the tapestry is complete.

Back-strap weaving – who can help but admire the craft and the woman sitting with her loom hanging from the post and connected to the strap around her waist? This is a skill passed down from generations, and it is a hallmark of Guatemala’s highlands.

Along with captivating textiles of various colors, in the mountains of Guatemala you may also discover a vibrant selection of languages. Many of the indigenous people speak a Mayan dialect, and, though they often speak Spanish as well, their indigenous words are woven in just like the hues on their looms. Of course, one can appreciate the beauty of the spoken words without understanding just as one can admire the pattern of a corte (woven fabric made into a traditional wrap-around skirt) without much knowledge of the art behind it. However, just as knowing the hours and skills that went into creating the corte adds depth to the admiration so understanding of the words deepens the appreciation of their beauty. That is one of the reasons we created Understanding the Guatemalan Patient. May all who read it grow in their value of both these words and, most importantly, the people who weave them every day.

canilla

You’ve dreamed of this day. You’ve studied and saved for this day. Now here it is: your first day seeing patients with a medical mission team in Guatemala.

The still-cool morning breezes waft through the metal screens over the windows of the concrete building. You smile at your first patient, a man from the campo who looks like he has labored long throughout his life, and begin a conversation. Since you’ve studied Spanish for several years now, your team decided you don’t need one of the in-demand interpreters as much as other team members, so you’re on your own for this conversation. Shouldn’t be hard, right?

Then your patient says, “Me duele mi canilla.”

Your optimistic thoughts screech to a halt. Canilla? You’ve never heard that word! So much for those years of studying. The way he set his worn hand on his leg makes you think there’s some connection, but you want to know…and you don’t want your ignorance to make him feel uncomfortable.

You calmly look around. No interpreters nearby.

Then you remember that little blue book your dad gave you when he dropped you off at the airport. “Might come in handy,” he said.

You pull it out of the bag on the table next to you. It’s a glossary. Where are the “c” words? Oh, yay, there it is!

canilla – leg, lower leg

You look your patient in the eye with a smile and say, “¿Se duele su canilla?” You set your hand on your leg like he had. “¿Cómo su pierna?“

“¡Sí!” He nods his head vigorously. “Me duele mi canilla.”

Oh, good! Now you can continue with your consultation.

Later you get a chance to ask one of the translators about canilla. He laughs. “Canilla is like an animal’s leg,” he says. “People, especially those who grew up speaking a Mayan language and speak Spanish as a second language, use it for a person’s leg, too.”

Ah, now you understand even better. And maybe tonight you’ll look through more of those words from that Understanding the Guatemalan Patient. It seems like it really might come in handy.

Gearing up for a medical mission trip to Guatemala or know someone who is? Maybe you’ll want your own copy of Understanding the Guatemalan Patient. Check it out on Amazon today!