Successful diplomacy establishing positive relations with American Indian tribes was an important component of Jefferson's instructions to Lewis. In order to succeed in this mission, clear communication with leaders of these tribes was essential. Dealing with a variety of languages and customs, how did Lewis and Clark create successful communication? Join us in this program to learn about the important roles of the Corps' interpreters and their use of sign language and language chains to create clear communication on the expedition.
Contents of the Broadcast:
1. Opening to 7:09--Introduction, welcome, information on today's location, orientation to today's topic, introduction of groups participating (We are joined today by a high school French class. During the program, the students speak French and translate to help us experience the language chain activity of the expedition, plus another middle and elementary school class.)
2. 7:09 to 13:34--We discuss the communication process, what makes good and bad communication. Topics related to the expedition include the range of languages dealt with, the work of Drouillard interpreting for the Corps, and how they and we today deal with tryin to communicate with speakers of a language other than our own.
3. 13:34 to 24:45--We continue our focus on language. Topics include what it's like to learn a foreign language, what it's like to hear a foreign language, experience examples of translation and discuss similarities between languages which could help in the translation process. The uniquenesses of Indian languages is also discussed.
4. 24:45 to 45:29—This segment of the program covers a wide variety of questions from the student audience. Topics include the Corps' trade with Indians on the expedition, the number of interpreters with the Corps, the process of acquiring another language, why learn a second language, and issues the Corps had in communicating with Indians.
5. 45:29 to End--Final questions from students are covered. Topics include how to communicate when no translator is available, how the Corps' interepreters worked to get their job done, and length of time for the expedition. We then offer topics of upcoming webcasts, thanks, and goodbye
