I left this as a comment on Michel Duffy’s site, Duffy Writes. A story that Michael tells on his blog, and which he posted as a comment to a recent post here, reminded me of something from Ordinary Wolves, a book I can’t recommend highly enough for people who like to think about these things.

“Another speaker took the place of the first. He was named Joe Smith. He wore glasses, a new haricut, tight jeans, and a gold watch with nuggets lumpy on the band. His hands were large and soft. “Funny-looking Eskimo,” Hanna whispered too loud.

“I’m from the nonprofit arm of the corporation, and I’m here to inform you of our Cultural Edification Project. The project, or CEP, has been proposed through the regional elders, and a grant for one million dollars has already been procured.”

….The elders’ faces held the same expressions they had held at the meeting when strange rangers told them the National Park Service suddenly owned millions of acres of the best hunting land, in every direction. When anthropologists, archaeologists, and con men with computer credentials had come and held meetings and gone. The elders’ expressions, meeting after meeting, for decades: “What in ta hell they’re talking?” and “What in ta hell they’re talking?”

….”Good evening,” he said. “First, I have to say how glad I am to be in your wonderful serene little village. I am also grateful to be able to meet so many of you and glimpse you living your traditional lives. I am here with Mi-tick,” he nodded at Joe, “to make you aware of the sixty-four billion dollars available in grants to communities like yours.”

The crowd laughed.

….The man glanced around quizzically, shuffled papers, and retreated into a forest of overgrown words and Accountant English. The meeting trailed into whispers and tittering. Back on the metal chairs, we chuckled at the man’s pronunciation of Joe Smith’s Eskimo name. We heard “my dick.” We laughed, not because we were mean, but because laughing was traditional, it was something we were good at, and tonight we still remembered how.”

- Ordinary Wolves (p. 280)

Michael’s blog is (mostly) about public policy and aboriginal culture in Northern Australia. He’s a good writer, and I’ve found a lot of commonality in his viewpoint with my own observations working with Alaska Native students.

I mentioned his story to a friend of mine today. And he immediately thought of one himself. There are many examples of cross-cultural miscommunication, and one can easily prompt another, it seems. This one has been on my mind, ever since I read it, because of it’s bittersweet quality.…and tonight we still remembered how.