A Pictogram Is Worth a Thousand Translations - Essay Example

A Pictogram is Worth a Thousand Translations The article talks about the importance of the use of culturally sensitive means of giving information especially in places where there is a high traffic of multicultural interactions involved. Specifically, the article discusses how a seemingly unremarkable activity of fingerprinting that occurs in most American airports may be threatening for people who are not familiar to the system. In such cases, uncomfortable situations may arise especially if the language being spoken in an unfamiliar territory is unfamiliar as well.

With these issues in mind, particular personalities concerned are implementing ways to make fingerprinting, among other equally not-so-harmless requirements, a more pleasant and comfortable experience for people who are not very familiar with it. For example, pictures and symbols have replaced textual instructions in posters and signages found throughout international airports. In addition, such activities are also being standardized by the agencies concerned so that international travelers will go through the same procedure in every country.

As somebody who frequents airports, it is certainly daunting on my part to have to go through certain “security measures” before granted passage. These requirements, especially if existing only in selected airports, makes me feel more uncomfortable rather than more secure. Add to this the fact that some security personnel do not even take the time to explain the necessity of the procedures being done. It may also be embarrassing to have to perform a particular security check and end up doing it correctly because no clear instructions were provided in the first place.

With that, I think the efforts to make international airports more culturally sensitive are commendable. The use of symbols and pictures as part of the instructions is definitely a welcome change because these symbols are more universally understood than, say, the English language. It should also be noted that such a move be done not only in international airports but also in other places with a high traffic of international personalities such as supermarkets, parks, and schools. The move to make prints adhere to a uniform standard that is the same on a global scale is another pleasant piece of news.

One should realize the fact that threats to one’s security no longer just come from one’s immediate community but from an international scale as well. With the standardization of fingerprinting, coordination among different countries will be much easier to accomplish. Overall, the article was an informative piece which provided insights on the topics of fingerprinting, security, cultural sensitivity, and standardization. This article goes to show that beyond our quest for a better and richer life, we have come to realize that our world is much smaller now; a fact that has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Although a smaller world may mean an increased risk of personal security, it also means a new responsibility to be more culturally sensitive to the different kinds of people that we meet each day.Reference:Honing the art and Science of Fingerprinting: A Pictogram is Worth a Thousand Translations. 12 February 2010. 3 October 2011 .