Question One: Memo and Planning Your Communication

a) Facts

Foreign migrants in Florida, the Latino community in Oregon, Guatemalan and Vietnamese villages in New Orleans, Indigenous immigrants, and undocumented Latino communities are disproportionately affected by language barrier and related issues. In different situations and events within the country, these groups of people have suffered as a result of the use of English as a dominant language in providing information to communities regarding looming dangers and warnings. Communities all throughout the United States are becoming used to the increased threat posed by natural disasters such as wildfires, droughts, heat waves, and infectious illnesses as a direct result of the development of global climate change. It is anticipated that in the future, natural catastrophes of this nature would occur more often and with greater severity. It is more important than ever before in light of recent events to have an understanding of how these events accentuate pre-existing injustices and how to mitigate the damages that are caused as a direct consequence of these inequities. Variations in people’s susceptibility to natural disasters and disasters caused by humans may be attributable to a wide range of social, economic, historical, and political variables. In circumstances such as these, language is an essential component that must be taken into consideration. Because communities that do not speak English are unable to get information and alerts related to numerous hazards, a language barrier could be lethal during natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. These communities are unable to get this information and alerts because of the language barrier. After the event, people often realize how important it was to accurately grasp the signals that were issued during potentially harmful circumstances.

b) Definition

In the problem and situations mentioned above, major concepts, jargon, and terms need to be translated, made accessible, and defined for the audience to understand. For example, for foregin students like Maryam Kouhirostami, terms like Hurricane Dorian, Category 5 storm, and tornadoes must be well defined. While these terms are automatically understood within the local setting, people who come from other parts of the world would most likely not understand their meaning and/or impact. Other terms such as devastating wildfire, climate change, adverse weather conditions, dry fire, and pandemic must be well defined and translated into other languages for better understanding.

c) Evaluation

The evidence of language inequity and language injustice and translation in the United States is a bad thing. There has, so far, been loss of life, property, and critical survival for millions of people who are unable to participate or understand communication regarding natural disasters like wildfires, tornadoes, and hurricanes. The process of human communication is a kind of social interaction. It is a necessary component of our day-to-day activities. It is the process of developing, exchanging, and sharing ideas, information, views, facts, and experiences between a sender and a receiver. It may also refer to the act of receiving information. Individuals, organizations, civilizations, and countries all rely heavily on one another’s ability to communicate in order to continue existing and thriving. The most prevalent method of communication is via the use of language. In the United States, communication, over the last few years, has been linked to survival. This is especially true for situations where the survival of people requires full communication, meaning delivery of message and understanding of the same from the recipient. As it is today, there is evidence of language inequity and language injustice and translation from the way natural disasters, warnings, and official communication happens in the event of catastrophic occurrences.

d) Proposal

Compassion and empathy for underrepresented communities are essential for carrying out inclusive planning and decision-making during crises and natural disasters. When government officials communicate emergency information with the public, they should not assume that the population has a high level of English proficiency. This might make any language barriers that may already exist in a location that is vulnerable to natural disasters worse. It is insufficient to merely translate into the resident’s mother tongue or to provide an interpreter’s services when necessary to interact with residents who may not speak or understand English. It requires knowledge of the customs and unique needs of such populations, as well as their cultures. People from these groups often have legitimate cultural concerns, which makes them hesitant to trust local authorities. Meanwhile, rather than giving those who are directly touched the chance to voice their opinions, municipal and county administrations often assumed what communities needed. City representatives should put their efforts into collaborating with media organizations that currently serve immigrant populations in radio, television, and other media. This will make it possible for immigrant populations to receive crucial emergency alerts in their mother tongues. Additionally, by communicating with immigrant populations outside of times of distress and outlining local policies and initiatives that are intended to aid in relief and recovery, this will enable city authorities to foster trust with such groups.

2. Features of a Rhetorical Situation

Exigence (urgency of speech): The local government used loud speakers and official email communication believing that this approach would lead to reduced loss of life.

Persons (parties involved or impacted): non-English speaking individuals, English speaking people with limited understanding of jargon and terms, and foreigners from a different country.

Relations (the power differentials and relations between the persons involved): Language injustice, poor translation, and language barrier.

Location (where the speech/discourse/writing takes or took place): Different communities within the United States where disaster has occurred.

Speaker (who is speaking or should speak): Victims of language injustice

Audience (who the speech/discourse/writing is directed at): Local authorities and emergency planning committees.

Method (the medium or method of delivering the speech/discourse/writing): Print media

Constraints/Institutions (things the rhetor/speaker/writer cannot control/conventions/circumstances/entities/systems) that impact how effectively their speech/writing can be received.: Language barrier

Kairos- the opportune time to speak or say something given the cultural moment: Language disadvantaged communities must be considered when communications are made regarding emergency response and preparedness.

3. Prep Questions

The overall purpose of the memo is to highlight the issue of language injustice and translation issues for non-English speakers in times of emergency, response, and preparedness. The primary reader includes victims of language barrier and injustices in past natural disasters such as Hurricanes, local authorities, the Federal emergency response agencies, and policy makers. The readers are expected to have some familiarity with the subject since it has affected people both directly and indirectly. Past natural disasters, ongoing communications relating to climate change, and the way the pandemic has been handled have all affected the way I am writing this memo. The reader has an empathetic attitude towards the subject and towards my writing style. Constraints encountered include words that may not be well understood by a section of readers, especially English as Second Language speakers. I hope to convey a feeling of empathy towards those who are most affected by language injustice.

4. Decision Matrix

Use existing social structures to pass message Inclusive strategies such as resident participation during meetings Use people with knowledge of customs and culture as experts

Translate all Disaster-related messages Translate all messages and apply available social structures to pass messages Translate messages and engage residents in passing messages Use local residents to make the translations

Hire experts to interpret messages Use expert advice and available social structures Use experts and resident participation to craft tailored messages Hire cultural experts

Use local language in issuing warnings Use local language and existing social structures Use local language and residents to create a more localized message Use individuals familiar with local customs and culture and the local language to issue warnings

ADVOCACY FOR LATINOS IN AMERICA GROUP

4481 Pacific Hwy Unit 360

Phoenix, Oregon 97521

800-136-1049

July 21, 2022

Mr. Andrew Phelps

Oregon Department of Emergency Management

3225 State St 115

Salem, Oregon 97301

Subject: Solution on Language Inequities During Emergencies

Dear Mr. Phelps:

We invite you to consider implementing a response and preparedness policy that is sensitive and aware of the plight of the Latino community in the region where English is spoken as a second language by a majority.

Government personnel should not presume that the general public has a high degree of English proficiency when communicating emergency information to the public. Any linguistic hurdles that may already exist in a place that is prone to natural disasters might become worse as a result of this. Simply translating into the resident’s native language or offering interpretation services when required to communicate with residents who may not speak or comprehend English is inadequate. It necessitates familiarity with both their cultures and the particular requirements of such groups. People from these communities are often reluctant to trust local authorities because of real cultural concerns.

Past events show us that local administrations often made assumptions about what communities needed, refusing to listen to individuals who were directly affected. The media outlets that now provide radio, television, and other media services to the Latino communities should be partnered with by federal and local leaders.

We are open to a sit down on this and other issues affecting our communities should you be interested in hearing more from us. Please, contact us so that we may provide more details on our proposal.

Sincerely,

Enter Name

Enter Name

Group Chairman

Question Two: Revising a Bad Email

1. the email lacks the proper/formal salutation. I would begin by acknowledging receipt of document and the reason for the email.

2. Secondly, the tone used is harsh and unofficial. I would craft a header that expresses displeasure yet retains the formalities of the document.

3. I would describe the problem and the desired outcome without repetition.

4. I would include key dates and other facts that support my stance on the problem

5. I would identify the actions taken from my side to rectify the problem and invite proposals from the other team.

Question Three: Short Answers to Chapter Terms and Concepts

The “you-attitude” writing style places more of an emphasis on the reader than on the author. It prioritizes the requirements of the audience above those of the author. Examining a subject from the perspective of the reader, or “you,” rather than from one’s own point of view is what is meant by taking a “you-attitude”.

The major purpose of a memo is to explain concerns concisely and clearly in order to solve them, while the primary purpose of an email is to offer information. In contrast, email may be used for a multitude of purposes, including contacting friends, applying for jobs, internships, and scholarships, and requesting any sort of information. The purpose of a memo may be to promote action, to initiate an initiative or policy, or both. Typically, a memo is written in a formal tone. Email may be used for both personal and professional purposes to send important messages. The main components of an email are the subject line, the receiver, the message, the content, the signature, and any attachments. Sending vital information through email is fast and inexpensive.

The commonly recognized perspective of the link between usability and persuasion in the body of academic research is that it is straightforward and unidirectional; higher usability corresponds to more persuasion. According to this view, there is no possibility of making a trade-off since the aims are seen as being complementary to one another.

By constructing logical arguments, Logos appeals to the rational side of the listener. By appealing to the speaker’s position or authority, ethos increases the likelihood that the audience will believe them. In order to evoke certain feelings in the audience, such as anger or sympathy, pathos uses emotional appeals. Ethos, pathos, and logos are persuasive tactics that comprise the triangle of rhetoric. A persuasive argument, pitch, or speech should ideally use all three tactics.

The art of successful or persuasive speaking or writing, particularly the use of rhetorical devices and other compositional strategies, is known as rhetoric. The context of an event that includes a problem, an audience, and a number of restrictions is known as the rhetorical situation. A specific setting or exigence gives birth to a rhetorical predicament.