We are undoubtedly going through what is probably the “weirdest” time of our lives. The world as we knew it suddenly changed.
It is inevitable to wonder if things will be the same as before. However, the answer to this question is completely uncertain, even for world leaders.
What I can tell you with certainty is that this new “normal” is not normal for me yet. And I’d bet many of you share the sentiment.
That is why this time I want to get away from the translation in its literal or “normal” form, and take the liberty of interpreting instead of just translating, to share with you a more personal and less formal version of what comes to my mind when I think of Covid19: how to translate Covid19 from my perspective and in positive terms.
The first thing that strikes me is that never before, not even during the World Wars, the entire world had to go through the same situation universally. Covid19 is not exclusive to a country or a continent. It does not discriminate between social classes or ethnic groups. The phrase “to everyone” became literal. And the irony of this is that, although we are physically separated, as a society we are more united than ever worldwide, we share the same objective, we seek the same solution. So, I dare say that Covid19 translates into union.
It could also be translated as an outbreak of spontaneity. In fact, it seems to me that the spontaneous, the unplanned, perfectly defines the way in which Covid19 has forced us to live. Being subject to an environment of constant change has accustomed us to being spontaneous. To react creatively. To accommodate ourselves to the new rules, which by the way change every day. We have learned to solve with what we have. To celebrate birthdays by videoconference. To receive all kinds of classes from our home. And to value and appreciate the things that are really worth it. Without a doubt, we are more spontaneous. We have become expert improvisers, and I love this.
For me, another way to translate Covid19 is solidarity. As a society, we have turned our attention and extended a helping hand to those who need it most. So much so, that new superheroes have emerged, called doctors, delivery people, supermarket staff and even ordinary citizens who, in solidarity, decide to stay at home to avoid the spread of the virus. There are musicians giving concerts outside elderly buildings. There are athletes running marathons inside their houses to raise funds. There are employees donating part of their salary to those who became unemployed. There are celebrities making video calls to those who feel lonely. And so, thousands of other solidarity initiatives that coincidentally go hand in hand with the above translations: union and spontaneity.
And I could go on with the list of translations, indefinitely.
In fact, the exercise of positively translating Covid19 has become part of my day to day. I am constantly thinking of possible new translations while listening to the news, reading articles, or participating in virus-related conversations.
I could also include in this article several ways to translate Covid19 using slightly harder and sadder terms. But for today, I decided that I am going to share only the previous three, which are without a doubt my favorites.
And well, to finish, it seems to me that the best way to close these lines is precisely by leaving it open. Open in order to you, dear readers, do your own optimistic personal translation of Covid19.
I invite you to reflect, to put aside for a moment the great negative impact that this virus has had on the world, to focus on the many positive translations that it has also brought us as human beings.
HOW IS COVID-19 TRANSLATED?
We are undoubtedly going through what is probably the “weirdest” time of our lives. The world as we knew it suddenly changed.
It is inevitable to wonder if things will be the same as before. However, the answer to this question is completely uncertain, even for world leaders.
What I can tell you with certainty is that this new “normal” is not normal for me yet. And I’d bet many of you share the sentiment.
That is why this time I want to get away from the translation in its literal or “normal” form, and take the liberty of interpreting instead of just translating, to share with you a more personal and less formal version of what comes to my mind when I think of Covid19: how to translate Covid19 from my perspective and in positive terms.
The first thing that strikes me is that never before, not even during the World Wars, the entire world had to go through the same situation universally. Covid19 is not exclusive to a country or a continent. It does not discriminate between social classes or ethnic groups. The phrase “to everyone” became literal. And the irony of this is that, although we are physically separated, as a society we are more united than ever worldwide, we share the same objective, we seek the same solution. So, I dare say that Covid19 translates into union.
It could also be translated as an outbreak of spontaneity. In fact, it seems to me that the spontaneous, the unplanned, perfectly defines the way in which Covid19 has forced us to live. Being subject to an environment of constant change has accustomed us to being spontaneous. To react creatively. To accommodate ourselves to the new rules, which by the way change every day. We have learned to solve with what we have. To celebrate birthdays by videoconference. To receive all kinds of classes from our home. And to value and appreciate the things that are really worth it. Without a doubt, we are more spontaneous. We have become expert improvisers, and I love this.
For me, another way to translate Covid19 is solidarity. As a society, we have turned our attention and extended a helping hand to those who need it most. So much so, that new superheroes have emerged, called doctors, delivery people, supermarket staff and even ordinary citizens who, in solidarity, decide to stay at home to avoid the spread of the virus. There are musicians giving concerts outside elderly buildings. There are athletes running marathons inside their houses to raise funds. There are employees donating part of their salary to those who became unemployed. There are celebrities making video calls to those who feel lonely. And so, thousands of other solidarity initiatives that coincidentally go hand in hand with the above translations: union and spontaneity.
And I could go on with the list of translations, indefinitely.
In fact, the exercise of positively translating Covid19 has become part of my day to day. I am constantly thinking of possible new translations while listening to the news, reading articles, or participating in virus-related conversations.
I could also include in this article several ways to translate Covid19 using slightly harder and sadder terms. But for today, I decided that I am going to share only the previous three, which are without a doubt my favorites.
And well, to finish, it seems to me that the best way to close these lines is precisely by leaving it open. Open in order to you, dear readers, do your own optimistic personal translation of Covid19.
I invite you to reflect, to put aside for a moment the great negative impact that this virus has had on the world, to focus on the many positive translations that it has also brought us as human beings.
Stay safe and optimistic!
Yayo
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