[WSIS Edu] [unesco-oer] Cape Town Declaration - wrong forest?
Dr. Francis MUGUET
muguet at ensta.fr
Tue Dec 11 20:32:59 GMT 2007
/Resending /
--------------
Hello to all
This debate illustrates that the question of linguistic diversity.
The semantic deficiencies of one specific language ( english ) should
not be allowed
to distort the content of this seemingly inportant document :
Cape Town Open Education Declaration
<http://www.capetowndeclaration.org/front-page/read-the-declaration>
Each language has its own semantic deficiencies, and English is no
exception, however
because of its position as the leading world communication language, its
deserves a specific attention.
The anglo-saxon social class that created English in the middle-ages
had obvious difficulties in conceiving the fact of working for free,
and that a thing could be given without financial compensation.
The discussion
http://www.wikieducator.org/Say_Libre
is interesting.
Another example of the deficiency of the English language has been the
suppression of the thou/you distinction as the result of a deep
puritan psychosis that has been implemented in the language, and that
English mono-speakers are carrying unknowingly until now.
It appears that if English wants to fulfill its role of a worldwide
communication
language, it must accept to be enriched with words in relations to concepts
it is unable to render properly and concisely.
The fact that a native English speaker would have to make an
intellectual effort
to understand the word *libre* ( although libre seems an understandable
adjective
corresponding to liberty... ) is not an obstacle, in fact this would be a
good thing.
A statement in this Capetown declaration concerning Linguistic Diversity
( and the right for everyone to be able to get a basic education in
his/her mother
tongue ) would have been welcome.
Best
Francis
> Hi, ALL,
> I will agree with Geofffrey that "open" is much more suitable than
> "libre" considering the contextual and semantic rendering in English
> texts. We should not split hair on this, "libre" seems a most
> appropriate rendering in French but definitely not in Englih texts.
> Babatunde Ipaye
> _____end of message
>
> On Dec 8, 2007 1:52 AM, Geoffrey Hulme <g.hulme at tesco.net
> <mailto:g.hulme at tesco.net>> wrote:
>
> Replacing "open" by "libre" in an English text will confuse and
> irritate. The specialist meaning that Kim wants to convey will for
> most
> readers be no clearer with libre than with open. It is better to stick
> to open and if necessary offer a footnote.
> Geoffrey Hulme
>
> Kim Tucker wrote:
>
> >Hi all,
> >
> >http://www.capetowndeclaration.org
> <http://www.capetowndeclaration.org/>
> >
> >It is great that this document has been shared.
> >
> >I offer one comment relating to the "Most importantly ..."
> sentence, and
> >some "wrong forest" statements.
> >
> >Suggestion: change the "Most importantly" sentence
> >
> >"Most importantly, we have an opportunity to dramatically improve the
> >lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world through
> freely
> >available, high-quality, locally relevant educational and learning
> >opportunities."
> >
> >to take cognisance of these points:
> >
> >i. Whose opportunity? (recall "enabling people to empower themselves
> >with knowledge" - http://communities.libre.org/)
> >
> >ii. Quality can only be defined in local terms (by the users).
> >
> >So, reword the sentence to
> >
> >"Most importantly, hundreds of millions of people around the
> world will
> >be able to improve their lives dramatically through the
> opportunity to
> >participate in this global (libre) knowledge society."
> >
> >Optionally clarify with something like: "Participants have the
> freedom
> >to use knowledge resources (or any parts thereof) for any
> purpose, the
> >freedom to co-create, adapt, enhance and share knowledge for
> collective
> >benefit."
> >
> >(the reference to quality becomes implicit - 'adapt' includes
> localisation)
> >
> >This apparently minor change is actually highly significant and
> points
> >to a possible systematic bias in the "open education" movement -
> "wrong
> >forest"?
> >
> >--------------------------------------
> >
> >WRONG FOREST:
> >
> >>From the libre knowledge (conocimiento libre) perspective (
> >http://communities.libre.org <http://communities.libre.org/> ):
> >
> >QUESTION: Does the declaration work towards our higher aims?
> >
> >* "knowledge for all, freedom to learn, towards collective wisdom"
> >
> >* "enabling people to empower themselves with knowledge"
> >
> >[Collective wisdom is an implicit reference to sustainable
> development
> >incorporating simultaneous consideration of social, economic and
> >environmental concerns. UNESCO's goal of fostering a culture of peace
> >falls under Social].
> >
> >ANSWER: To some extent (I think the writers of the declaration mean
> >"libre" when they say "open").
> >But it falls short and might grow one of our biggest challenges:
> >eliminating the misguided "property" and "ownership" mindset.
> >
> >Suggestions and points to ponder:
> >
> >1. The word "open" will never capture the essence of what we are
> really
> >trying to do (ultimately) – liberate learning towards knowledge
> for all
> >for effective participation in the global knowledge society ...
> in turn
> >towards collective wisdom for sustainability (in the true sense
> of the
> >word).
> >
> >The word "free" may be confused with "gratis" (or free of charge).
> >Say "Libre" for clarity and take this movement to the next level:
> >http://communities.libre.org/philosophy/saylibre - discuss:
> >http://www.wikieducator.org/Say_Libre
> >
> >2. Tactics 1 - 3 in the declaration are important components of a
> >strategy, but it is unclear towards what goal? - Promoting the OE(R)
> >movement? Improved and appropriate educational practices for a
> connected
> >world? Motivating fundamental changes to copyright law ... towards a
> >free culture? Or some higher aim around quality of life for
> millions of
> >people?
> >
> >3. The most promising tactical note in the declaration is '1
> Educators
> >and learners'. This draws attention to the people with passion
> for their
> >field of interest. Here you will find success stories of sharing and
> >collaboration across institutions independent of the "OER Movement".
> >Learn from these and grow the energy while serving their needs for
> >specialised collaborative learning resources.
> >
> >4. As with most "open" movements, the emphasis (so far) has been
> more on
> >encouraging "owners" to "open" up resources for societal benefit.
> >Although this needs to be done, there is something more
> fundamental that
> >needs to change - a rejection of the notion of "owning" knowledge and
> >liberating learners in the emerging copy-modify-mix-share culture.
> >
> >5. Funders (see 3 above): support more bottom-up initiatives around
> >needs-driven co-creation of knowledge resources and sharing (to
> augment
> >the top-down institutional intiatives).
> >
> >6. Consider renaming the declaration to the "Libre Learning
> Declaration"
> >and redrafting it to include some of the principles and values of
> Libre
> >Knowledge. Here is a draft declaration for libre knowledge:
> >
> >http://www.wikieducator.org/Declaration_on_libre_knowledge
> <http://www.wikieducator.org/Declaration_on_libre_knowledge> (draft)
> >
> >Kim
> >
> >----------------
> >
> >PS Alternative venues for continuing this angle of the discussion:
> >
> >* http://www.wikieducator.org/Say_Libre (the discussion page)
> >
> >* http://www.wikieducator.org/Libre_knowledge – includes links to a
> >draft libre knowledge declaration and some ideas around a libre
> license.
> >
> >-----------------
> >
> >PPS
> >I will post these comments widely to stimulate some discussion.
> >They have already been entered into the form at
> >http://www.capetowndeclaration.org/contact-info
> >Apologies to those on multiple lists who receive this more than once.
> >
> >-----------------
> >
> >
> >D'Antoni, Susan wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Dear Colleagues,
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>The Cape Town Declaration on Open Education that David referred to
> >>below is now accessible at www.capetowndeclaration.org
> <http://www.capetowndeclaration.org/>
> >><http://www.capetowndeclaration.org/
> <http://www.capetowndeclaration.org/>>. Those who would like to sign
> >>will find a form at
> http://www.capetowndeclaration.org/sign-declaration .
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>Best,
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>Susan
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> >
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>
>
>
> --
> Professor Babatunde Ipaye
> Educo-Health Project
> 234-803-310-1920
> 234-805-310-1919
--
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Francis F. MUGUET KNIS/ENSTA
Pôle de Développement pour l'Information Scientifique
"Réseaux de la Connaissance et Société de l'Information"
Scientific Information Development Laboratory
"Knowledge Networks & Information Society" (KNIS)
ENSTA
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Phone: (33)1 45 52 60 19 Fax: (33)1 45 52 52 82
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