2 questions, 1 week

March 6, 2006 7:42 AM

Hi, I'm working on a pro bono asylum case and I need a NYC-area translator for Fulani/Pular, a dialect of Guinea. We've tried the available services without much luck and I thought as a last ditch attempt, to try askmefi. However, I asked a question last week (before this translator thing had really become an issue). Would it be possible to post a second question? I can promise not to ask a question next week.
posted by kensanway to Etiquette/Policy at 7:42 AM (22 comments total)

I could ask for you, if you like.
posted by cortex at 7:45 AM on March 6, 2006

This isn't really what ask mefi is for, but I am working on a mefi jobs page where members can post jobs (contract or full/part time) for other members to apply to (only logged in members will see any contact info).
posted by mathowie (staff) at 7:50 AM on March 6, 2006

This is not really what AskMetafilter is for unless you're lookiing for translator sources as opposed to looking to hire a translator. It might be a better topic for craigslist?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:51 AM on March 6, 2006

or try calling their embassy for leads?
posted by whatzit at 7:58 AM on March 6, 2006

Here you go.
posted by amro at 8:15 AM on March 6, 2006

Translator sources would be great. We've tried a number of them, without much success, because the language is so rare. What do you think? Is it okay for me to ask cortex to post about this?
posted by kensanway at 8:38 AM on March 6, 2006

I made what I hope is a tasteful (if cynical) pass at posting a more general, AskMe-friendly version of the query, since at this point I'm kind of curious in general. You might get your answer, Ken, and other people may well get utility out of the thread.

May Matt and Jess have mercy on my soul.
posted by cortex at 8:59 AM on March 6, 2006

if you translate something through babelfish several times in succession i'm pretty sure you get some passable Fulani/Pular.
posted by quonsar at 9:02 AM on March 6, 2006

if something translates you babelfish, is rather certain several return to successie me one or receives to you other one vernuenftiges/Pular Fulani.

Does anyone here speak quonsarese?
posted by cortex at 9:05 AM on March 6, 2006

Does anyone here speak quonsarese?

Take it to AskMefi.
posted by unixrat at 9:41 AM on March 6, 2006

cortex, I think that question works out well.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:54 AM on March 6, 2006

Cool. A solid query translation (as it were) and an FPP; this is shaping up to be a stunningly un-Monday Monday.
posted by cortex at 11:13 AM on March 6, 2006

Why does Bono need asylum in Guinea?
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:14 AM on March 6, 2006

Haven't you seen his hair?
posted by Mid at 11:45 AM on March 6, 2006

I haven't. I've been looking, but I still haven't found it.
posted by cortex at 12:12 PM on March 6, 2006

Mullet it over. It'll comb to you.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:22 PM on March 6, 2006

Turn your head and coif.
posted by cortex at 12:26 PM on March 6, 2006

I hope Mefi Jobs is Orange...
posted by Dreamghost at 2:57 PM on March 6, 2006

I've been looking, but I still haven't found it.

Have you climbed highest mountain? Have you run through the fields?
posted by kindall at 3:26 PM on March 6, 2006

Climb a mountain? Are you kidding, kindall? I brought my sisters and brothers, and we have to carry each other, carry each other.
posted by cortex at 3:53 PM on March 6, 2006

If I could go back to 11:45, I would say:

Haven't you heard Zooropa?
posted by Mid at 7:00 PM on March 6, 2006

Try contacting African Studies departments at universities (for example Boston University, Yale, Cornell..) and ask if they can put you through to the African linguistics professor. They tend to know of local organizations that can hook you up with speakers.

Try contacting African emigre organizations which exist in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Fulani is pretty widespread - it has speakers scattered across the Sahel region as far as Cameroon. Shouldn't be hard to find somebody.
posted by zaelic at 6:07 AM on March 7, 2006