Linguistic spaghetti

On By saigonsaysIn Equality, Humankind, International Development

imageAs someone who has clocked up seven years working in the “aid industry,” I am full to the brim with jargon that I continue to fear means nowt (this is Yorkshire jargon for ‘nothing’ – ‘nil’ – ‘zilch’ – ‘sweet FA’) to anyone not in the know.

For much of the time anyway, those of us in the know, aren’t.

Sure, every business sector has its own nuanced vernacular, too.  The “triple bottom line”.  A “bear” market.  Acronyms galore, whether you are a Wall Street trader, a civil servant, or a quantity surveyor (whatever it is that they do again.)  We all wallow in our respective, tribal refrains.

I have given my best shot over the years to understand what half my mates back in London do working in “the city”.  From memory there are definitely lots of ‘fund management’ types in there.  Maybe some stuff linked to Risk as well.  I keep trying anyway, politely asking fact seeking questions and crossing my fingers that I can remember what it is Ernst and Young do.  I know they are called “E&Y”.  This much I am certain.

And, yes, their eyes glaze over when I talk about sustainable development (in fact I don’t even tend to use these two words given, as continues to be broadcast on development sites these days, it is quite clear no one really knows what sustainable development actually means.)

Let’s assume that these semantic idiosyncrasies are set to stay.  I see no practical reason to deny them to any business, sector, industry, rugby team, local community, or even any NGO, such as CARE.  Just to clarify: an NGO is a Non-Governmental Organisation, although speaking as a CARE employee I can confirm we have also been described as a humanitarian organization, an international development organization, a non-profit, a not-for-profit, a charity, a social development organization…you see where I’m going with this…

So, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, makes the Guardian development pages at the moment http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/aug/16/ban-ki-moon-development-aid-decline promoting the case for increased ODA (Overseas Development Assistance.)

“Well, he would do that, wouldn’t he?” might be a valid retort to such a promotion…

However, in doing so, he lays out the cornerstone themes that will underpin successful (and sustainable) development for the world – “decent employment, inclusive growth, good wages” – each to be supported by “renewed global partnerships, grounded on the values of equity, solidarity and human rights.”

As someone promoting the role of business in the international development agenda, its encouraging to note the intrinsic links made between what the Sec Gen is proposing, and the helpful way in which a vast chunk of these are reliant on responsible business development – which makes me feel good that CARE is so focused on leveraging business.

However, the main voice in my head just wonders what a fund manager, a risk analyst, a teacher, a tinker, tailor, soldier, spy (you see where I’m going with this…) would make of such statements?

How can we break down some of the silos here?  And then, how to prioritise, in round terms, what comes first?  Where should all this ODA money go and how should it be spent for maximum impact?  Is it good enough to just create jobs, without addressing the ethnic diversity and conflict rife in a particular place?  Do we need: more schools; better trained teachers; more accessible medical services; more women “leaders”; better water and sanitation in urban slums; better mobile coverage in rural areas; environmentally friendly products?

Well, we need all these things.  Easy answer.  And “development” has come a long way in a short (ish) time period, and helped us understand the natural connections between the list above.  The need for a more holistic approach to tackle big problems.

So, to be clear, this is not a “does Aid work?” post.

But, if our baby steps over the past 60+ years have walked us down the front drive, then we still have a long way (at least to the service station on the corner, several blocks away) before equilibrium is reached – across all things.  And I think it is a level playing field concept I most warm to, as I continue to describe and (try to) articulate some of these themes and considerations.

It has to be about equity, and better access.  Access to money, to a livelihood.  Access to information, access to a voice in society that can be heard, and to which there will be a response.  All of such things help society push for accountable and compliant government, business, and the rest.  It is about closing the gap, between rich and poor, male and female – and so on – but also between each other.  Individuals.

And it starts with communication.  Finding the best way to communicate, and the better words to touch someone else’s thoughts and feelings and actions.

Equity, access, but also – intuitively and refreshingly – it has to be about love, tolerance, and understanding.  Whilst we might never become brilliant piano players, sporting greats, or Nobel Peace candidates, every one of us has each of these three characteristics sat waiting to be set free.

If you have found this site via Freshly Pressed, then thanks so much for making it this far down my musings on ‘jargon’ – for anyone interested in what life is like living in Saigon, Vietnam, and traveling around this wonderful region of the world, then check out my other blog www.saigonsays.wordpress.com and, in the meantime, good luck to all the fantastic writers out there.  It was great to connect with you.

49 thoughts on “Linguistic spaghetti”

    1. You have fine taste, Ray – and also are now to be my oracle on all things related to Syria! If you could give me a hand with predicting the Vietnamese lottery as well, that would be grand. Keep up the good work!

      Reply

  3. We must learn to listen before we speak; we must understand that even the weakest among us have a strong voice. Those of the echelons of power and privilege must accept that ‘business’ as usual is old hat. Antiquated and obscene by the gluttony of its past. We are a global entity and will succeed as a whole by merely accepting our duty as such.

    Reply

  7. In Jamaica we have a saying: “The empty can mek de most noise!” … Too much rhetoric damages an argument, a dream and something as simple as a greeting. It is always best to say what we mean and leave it at that. Thank you for this. I found value in your words. Happy Friday. x

    Reply

  11. I found you on freshly pressed too. I like what you say about everything starting with good communication, but I am so tired of jargon. It’s ok if you’re talking to someone in your line of work; heaven knows I wouldn’t like to deprive a risk fund manager of having a cosy chat with his mates about leveraging his closed-end funds,but when we talk to people in other walks of life, can we just go back to good old Anglo Saxon? Please?

    Reply

    1. thanks and best wishes over to you in paris…I am now enlightened about the simpson’s rule thanks to your cool blog – ain’t the global blogging village just great!?

      keep up the good work

      Reply

  14. It is a wonderful mix of passion and experience (very unlikely neighbours in most cases) that makes this post such a wonderfully fresh bit of wisdom on – I am sorry for sounding a parrot now – sustained development ) Congrats on FP’ed!

    Reply

  16. Pingback: Linguistic spaghetti | gloriademateo

  20. michaelmarn

    Hey, I really liked your post! I’m new to blogging and I just set up one called politicalnoob.com and I don’t know if it is good or not. It’s directed towards people who want to know about politics but can’t understand what the news is trying to say. I tried to simplify some of the issues so that people can start to understand what is going on! I only have like two posts though and if you want to read them and give me some feedback with a comment, that would be really cool! It’s politicalnoob.com if anyone is interested. Again, really great post and I really like your writing!

    Reply

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