BEHMOD
Reflection
Tan Xin Xin | T03
Personal Growth
I learned that I need to consider more perspectives when I faced language barrier communicating with non native visitors. In advocacy, the target audiences come from a diverse population, especially in Singapore where it is a multiracial society. Hence, one cannot be prepared to only engage English speaking visitors but to accommodate non native visitors as well. During the roadshow, two Mandarin speaking students took pictures of the words displayed with their phones to be translated for them. This occurred because I was not proficient in speaking Mandarin since I lost touch with the language three years ago. Additionally, there were also two Tagalog speaking
Foreign students translating English words
women who translated to each other when we conversed with them. I had to explain to them slowly, with very simple English. The possibility of having non English speaking participants did not cross my mind at all. I assumed that all NP students could speak English since it is commonly spoken especially for students in this day and age.
This learning of taking on more perspectives matters because it helps me be more mentally and physically prepared when unexpected situations arise. For example, if I had anticipated non English speaking participants, I could have been more mentally ready by remaining calm when non-native visitors approach the booth. Furthermore, I could have also translated some of the key words in Chinese, so that at least the fundamental message is brought across. To be honest, I did not even know what PG was in Mandarin until one of my friend came to assist me in communicating with the Mandarin speaking students. Considering more perspectives before execution not only facilitates in one being more equipped and prepared, it also adds to persuasiveness, which is especially important in advocacy. According to confidence heuristic, when one is confident and fluent in articulating what he believes in, he is more persuasive (Pulford, Colman, Buabang, & Krockow, 2018). Therefore taking on different viewpoints not only improves readiness, but being an effective communicator as well.
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References
Pulford, B. D., Colman, A. M., Buabang, E. L., & Krockow, E. M. (2018). The persuasive power of knowledge. Journal of Experimental Psychology. General, 147(10), 1431-1444. doi: 10.1037/xge0000471