In the second workshop of the Creative Practices: Exploring Translanguaging Research in Pedagogical Contexts and Beyond project we discussed various definitions of translanguaging. Subsequently, Sara Pinto introduced the team to the idea of creating a visual dictionary. I learned today that I am a ‘translingualister’! I write and illustrate – she started the workshop with a big smile. Sara pointed out that making visual collages is a very good metaphor for the practices explored by the team. Making collages is, in its essence, taking things from all places and creatively moving them around – she said, suggesting that this is what one does when translanguaging.
Sara engaged us in the process of creating a visual dictionary using very limited resources. We worked on our visual portraits using paper, pens, pencils, scissors and glue. Remember, it is impossible to make a mistake! – Sara encouraged us. To explore what this activity might lead to, we looked at two books: Palabras en mi maleta (Words in my suitcase), by Sam Castano which creatively uses the idea of a collage to represent identity profiles. A second book, in a tiny format, focussed on the topic of what you can do with a lemon. While very simple in design and content, it showed its power in its versatility to look at an object in multiple ways. This book provided a great example of what you can do with a tiny book which can be produced even in a classroom/community space.
You can use it as a 5 min activity, a quick visual definition of a word – suggested Sara. You ask children to draw something you have just talked about – e.g. human body parts, and stick in a drawer, if you pepper it throughout the year you will end up with the dictionary. (More details about this activity will soon be available on our website in the Resources section).
