In The News

Mayoral Forum to have International Flavor

Sat, March 06, 2010

Courier-Journal

Mazungumzo ya wa kubwa wa muji ya Louisville, ya ta fanyika katika luga ine iyi siku ya kwanza mangaribi .

That’s Swahili for: The mayoral debate Monday can be heard in four languages.

The Louisville mayors’ race will take on an international flavor Monday, as responses from the six candidates participating in the debate will be interpreted for the audience in Swahili, French and Spanish.

It’s believed to be the first multilingual mayoral debate in Louisville’s history.

The forum is being hosted by Americana Community Center Inc., a non-profit organization that provides various services for Louisville’s international population. Executive Director Edgardo Mansilla said the city now has about 85,000 internationals living here.

“People need to understand we are here to be part of one community, we are moving here to stay,” Mansilla said. “We are part of a new reality, and we need to face it.”

The organization In Every Language will provide the translators for the debate. CEO Terena Bell said the audience will likely be split into three groups, with an interpreter for each. The plan is to have the interpreters working simultaneously, or speaking along with the candidates, but that could change.

Bell sent out a tip sheet to all of the participating candidates:

* Be aware that everything you say will be interpreted, even if it’s just your asking the debate organizer for more water.

* It is not uncommon for an interpreter to interrupt.

* Don’t be surprised if your interpreter has questions about seemingly simple vocabulary words.

* Look at the audience member instead of the interpreter.

Bell applauded the format.

“I think it … really shows how open of a community Louisville is,” Bell said. “These are very loyal citizens. They were not born here. They are here because they want to be here. And they vote. To me, it’s just so welcoming, and giving these issues to them in their native language, they’re going to be more educated voters.”

The candidates participating Monday are Democrats Tyler Allen, Greg Fischer and Jim King; Republicans Hal Heiner and Chris Thieneman; along with Independent Jackie Green.

King, who is fluent reading, writing and speaking Spanish, said he may throw down a few answers in that tongue.

“We have a responsibility to be inclusive and to really indoctrinate, to the extent possible, new members of our community into the democratic process,” King said.

Fischer’s campaign has formed about 20 “teams” of people who address different policy issues. One of those teams addresses “building an international city.” He said the international population is vital to building a “vibrant city.”

He added that the format is a chance for non-English-speaking people to “feel connected and respected.”

Heiner said he’s looking forward to the forum so he can learn from the audience.

“That’s the great part about the process, hearing what’s on other people’s minds so I can learn as much as possible,” Heiner said.