MANILA, August 6, 2013—The internet proves to be a excellent means to transcend language barrier during the 28th World Youth Day (WYD) in Rio de Janeiro, a Church official said.
CBCP’s executive secretary Fr. Conegundo Garganta said technology sure helped the Pinoy pilgrims to communicate with Brazilians for the whole duration of the international gathering of young people last month.
“The internet gave us the chance to communicate to our Brazilian foster families. With this, the youth had a connection and understanding with the local people. It was very helpful,” Garganta said in a Church-run forum today.
But aside from technology, traditional method in communicating such as hand signals was also helpful.
Garganta said language barrier did not become a limitation for them because young people were very creative in discovering ways to communicate.
He mentioned using internet language translator to be able to communicate with their host families.
Garganta also noted the deep link that formed between Filipino delegates and the Brazilian families who have embraced them into their homes during the missionary week and the WYD proper celebration.
“It was a good experience for all of us especially the youth, despite language barrier, the language of love was more visible,” Garganta furthered.
Around 400 Filipino pilgrims including 176 pilgrims from the official country delegation, ECY-Philippines, attended the latest WYD celebration in Brazil.
The next WYD will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Krakow in Poland in 2016. (Jandel Posion)
