A Promise of Life and Future
South Florida School of Interpretation (SFSI), a learning center for those interested in the art of language and culture, will be a safe space for those who want to learn how to convey meaning and linguistic intent with empathy and kindness. That is my promise of life and future to Sienna, my beautifully autistic daughter.
The Essence.
Translation brings people together. Cultures that are tangentially distant from each other, and not only geographically, can celebrate their differences and grow collectively.
The art of translating dates back to the Mesopotamia- era, when the Sumerian poem Gilgamesh was translated into the Asian language. It was a common practice among secluded monks who spent years working on translating religious texts into their language.
The need for translation continued to increase with the expansion of religious currents during ancient times. One of the pivotal points in the history of translation is the translation of the Old Testament of the Bible in the third century BC at the hands of Demetrius of Phalerum, the chief librarian of the library of Alexandria, who urged Egypt’s Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus to translate the Hebrew law into Greek to increase the library’s collection of books.
This practice has played an important role in all religious traditions. Transferring linguistic symbols of theological doctrines was the only way to invite new adepts into the fold. One of the main differences between these religious currents is the disparity and contrast between translated passages.
Have you ever stopped to think about what would’ve become of the world if the Bible had never been translated?
The Purpose.
I want to add my two cents to help neurodivergent individuals save humanity. I strongly believe they possess talents we desperately need as a society.
There is a gross inadequacy of employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. South Florida School of Interpretation will train neuro-individuals, divergents, and typical alike in the art of translation and interpretation.
The How.
Learning a new language is a challenging task, but for neurodivergent individuals could be Dantesque. In the specific case of Autism Spectrum Disorder, there is a pragmatic impairment of language skills even for individuals with less support needs. There is no figurative competence, that is, a lack of analytical skills to understand social cues and situational context. They interpret language literally.
When translating from one language to another, the professional is bound to encounter idiomatic expressions and cultural regionalism. These phrases don’t follow the same rules to transfer meaning.
Individuals with autism need a different approach to learning language and, after, learning translation. Although understanding idiomatic expressions and regionalism without accommodations will probably torch their future in this field, there is a silver lining. The process.
The autistic brain thrives by understanding how things come to be. Their minds work logically. Therefore, idiomatic expression required a more etymological approach. How did the phrase come to be? What’s the story behind the idiom? The goal is not a direct equivalent in the Target Language but a deeper understanding of the circumstances warranting said idiom.
The Road Ahead.
I recognize this is a huge undertaking, especially because it has never been done before. I have no experience as an educator and am not an expert in the neurodivergent field. But I have a will, and you know how it goes…when there is a Will, there is a Way!
Additionally, their neurodivergent logical thinking, paired with their outstanding memory skills, is a plus for the translation field.
I acknowledge there will be long hours of research and learning on my part. Also, I shall not venture full steam ahead without the proper resources and tools available. I commit to soldiering through it to offer a real opportunity to expand employment chances for this community.
South Florida School of Interpretation will become the first school of its kind in the area. It will serve as a beacon of hope for those who are pushed aside without better chances. Everyone pretends to like the idea of being empathic and inclusive, but this community needs tangible actions. I want to help.