My heritage is from among the people who maliciously and cruelly wiped
out most of the orignal culture and knowledge of the original people of
Australia. Hardly a story to be proud of. And what a sad loss!!!
Most of my work is now in my newly adopted home, Mexico. I am still
struggling with Spanish. And the thought of trying Huichol or Mayan is
simply scarey!!
But, as I learn the language of this area, and slowly find some
understanding to the culture that surrounds me, I become more and more
aware of the social and cultural damage done when people are forced to
operate with a different language. I realise that it is impossible to
separate the Latino culture, from their language, Spanish. Culture and
Language are intimately interwoven and inseparable.
More and more I realise that what is needed here, is not translations of
English Permaculture books into Spanish, but rather Permaculture
information written by native Spanish speakers for native Spanish
readers.
And I would love to see a spanish equivalent of this newsgroup available
(and a hopi version, a vietmanes version......) but my previous request
along these ines, to the administrators of this service has recieved no
reply.
In my work here I am often fortunate enough to work with highly
educated, highly intelligent and highly motivated people - who cannot
access the information of this service because they don't speak or read
english. Often this is a very conscious, personal and political
statement about not cooperating with the cultural oppresion, that is
english.
I hope that, within Permaculture, we can at least avoid perpetuating
with form of oppression.
Diversity comes in many colors. We need diversity in the worlds cultures
as much as I need diversity in my home garden.