Political views are sometimes avoided, especially in a professional environment. People want to avoid conflicts, even more so, when those may involve clients. As translators, should we show our political views or should we simply keep them to ourselves?
Speak out or be quiet
As human beings, we are entitled to our views and opinions on things. Politics is a quite divisive subject and one that may lead to conflicts, so it is understandable that some people refrain from showing their political views to avoid disagreements. But would that be the right decision?
Well, I don’t think it is. Creating a taboo is not going to help us. But in the “world of outrage,” we have today, especially on Social Media, it is almost impossible to talk about something without being instantly attacked. However, creating a space for debate and sharing ideas with others is very positive.
Talking about politics does not have to have the negative connotation some give it. Voting is a crucial part of any democracy, therefore, talking about politics and have a healthy discussion about what’s going on around us is actually part of the democratic process. So, I believe we should talk about politics, we should seek different opinions and share ours as well, in my view, it is the only way we can open our horizons and grow as citizens.
But should translators share their political views?
It depends in what context those political views are given and what do they add to your professional circumstances. Some political decisions may affect our work directly, therefore, we should talk about those decisions and express our views.
I’m thinking about the example of the Orthographic Agreement of the Portuguese Language 1990. I have been fiercely showing my views against it. This was an extremely bad political decision, that has affected the country I was born and lived for 30 years, and one of the languages I work with, Portuguese. So, I could not stay quiet while one of the languages I work with is defaced and the culture of the country it comes from disrespected. I do not comply with it, I have already rejected work for not complying with it, and I’ve joined colleagues and other Portuguese citizens in a campaign to have it revoked. Our signatures and proposal are now with the Portuguese Parliament to be voted.
However, when a political matter is totally unrelated to our work, I don’t see the need to show our views on it, on a professional forum. But again, it all depends on the context and what that view is going to add to the conversation. Ultimately, I believe in freedom of speech, and I think we should all have the right to say what we think, in a respectful matter of course.