> how can we nurture enough cross-pollination between language groups to support the collective intelligence of this group?

I’m grateful to her question for a very personal reason. It brought back the memories of my very first, sweet connection with Quebec.

C’était des années 70 et à l’époque je vivais à Paris avec une amie féministe, et nous étions enchantés par des idées et pratiques de libération sexuelle et politique, et par ce chanson d’une une chanteuse, compositrice et actrice québécoise:

“C’est par amour que nous changeons d’histoire
C’est par amour que nous changeons I’histoire.”

What does the lyrics of Pauline Julien have to do with cross-pollination between language groups to support the collective intelligence of this group? Everything.

When we operate in a social networking space, outside the hierarchical model of delegating translation tasks, or the market model of buying translations, our best bet to get a post that touches us deeply re-awakened in another language, is to offer the author and the community our gift of love and attention by translating it.

I have already a short list of favorite ones; now, i just have to find the time to start translating… Maybe on the plane in my way to Montreal, to honor the memory of Pauline, and the heart and wisdom that appear on the pages of this website…