Can anyone educate me on Pashtun culture?

[Anonymous]

I signed up to be the lead volunteer for a refugee family and assist with getting them set up with social services, helping secure clothes and household items, and generally being a welcoming point of contact.

The organization I signed up through is servicing 99% Venezuelan families currently, but they have one Pashtun family that no one was volunteering for so I happily am taking them on. However, I can get by fairly well speaking Spanish, but I know zero Pashto and the mom is not literate so we can't use Google translate. The dad works nights and sleeps all day so I'm going to meet them in person this weekend and do our best to communication effectively.

Is anyone familiar with Pashtun culture who can give me some insight on best practices or things to avoid when meeting them? The director form the organization mentioned that it would be inappropriate for my husband to speak directly to the mom or for me to be alone in a room with the dad. I'd like to do my best to make them feel welcome while being sensitive to their norms.

Does anyone have insight?

[Anonymous]

I don't know anything about Pashtun culture, but google translate has "speech to text" and will read aloud the translation. You should be able to use it to support the mom, even if she can't read or write

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know anything about Pashtun culture, but google translate has "speech to text" and will read aloud the translation. You should be able to use it to support the mom, even if she can't read or write

Unfortunately, there are no google voice capabilities for Pashto which is a primary reason other volunteers hadn't taken them on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know anything about Pashtun culture, but google translate has "speech to text" and will read aloud the translation. You should be able to use it to support the mom, even if she can't read or write

Unfortunately, there are no google voice capabilities for Pashto which is a primary reason other volunteers hadn't taken them on.

Well shoot! I've only ever used it for Spanish, darn.

Are you willing to spend a few dollars? Looks like this one can do it: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pashtoenglishmutarjim.pashtoenglishtranslator&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I signed up to be the lead volunteer for a refugee family and assist with getting them set up with social services, helping secure clothes and household items, and generally being a welcoming point of contact.

The organization I signed up through is servicing 99% Venezuelan families currently, but they have one Pashtun family that no one was volunteering for so I happily am taking them on. However, I can get by fairly well speaking Spanish, but I know zero Pashto and the mom is not literate so we can't use Google translate. The dad works nights and sleeps all day so I'm going to meet them in person this weekend and do our best to communication effectively.

Is anyone familiar with Pashtun culture who can give me some insight on best practices or things to avoid when meeting them? The director form the organization mentioned that it would be inappropriate for my husband to speak directly to the mom or for me to be alone in a room with the dad. I'd like to do my best to make them feel welcome while being sensitive to their norms.

Does anyone have insight?

grabbing the popcorn

[Anonymous]

Microsoft Translator app does Pashto.

[Anonymous]

I worked in Afghanistan for several years and speak passable Pashto. I volunteered with Catholic Charities of Northern Virginia to help some Afghans, but I am now posted overseas again. You might contact Catholic Charities to see if someone can help you.

[Anonymous]

Contact the Army's Defense Language Institute and ask if they are able to recommend resources. https://www.dliflc.edu/contact/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I signed up to be the lead volunteer for a refugee family and assist with getting them set up with social services, helping secure clothes and household items, and generally being a welcoming point of contact.

The organization I signed up through is servicing 99% Venezuelan families currently, but they have one Pashtun family that no one was volunteering for so I happily am taking them on. However, I can get by fairly well speaking Spanish, but I know zero Pashto and the mom is not literate so we can't use Google translate. The dad works nights and sleeps all day so I'm going to meet them in person this weekend and do our best to communication effectively.

Is anyone familiar with Pashtun culture who can give me some insight on best practices or things to avoid when meeting them? The director form the organization mentioned that it would be inappropriate for my husband to speak directly to the mom or for me to be alone in a room with the dad. I'd like to do my best to make them feel welcome while being sensitive to their norms.

Does anyone have insight?

grabbing the popcorn

.
Yeah. How long before they hit the real world here and realize nobody cares about that?

[Anonymous]

Do a search for other translation apps - try SayHi and Narakeet.

If you are in the DMV you might consider posting on your neighborhood listserv/facebook group. I'd just be careful about the size of the distro on a group like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I signed up to be the lead volunteer for a refugee family and assist with getting them set up with social services, helping secure clothes and household items, and generally being a welcoming point of contact.

The organization I signed up through is servicing 99% Venezuelan families currently, but they have one Pashtun family that no one was volunteering for so I happily am taking them on. However, I can get by fairly well speaking Spanish, but I know zero Pashto and the mom is not literate so we can't use Google translate. The dad works nights and sleeps all day so I'm going to meet them in person this weekend and do our best to communication effectively.

Is anyone familiar with Pashtun culture who can give me some insight on best practices or things to avoid when meeting them? The director form the organization mentioned that it would be inappropriate for my husband to speak directly to the mom or for me to be alone in a room with the dad. I'd like to do my best to make them feel welcome while being sensitive to their norms.

Does anyone have insight?

grabbing the popcorn

.
Yeah. How long before they hit the real world here and realize nobody cares about that?

I’m sure the peasants stoning you to death will claim they care about it. Hence stoning you to death.

[Anonymous]

Contact LSSNCA they work with Afghan refugees and employ some too - they may have leads on translation services and even some info on what Pashtun refugees might need to settle in.

[Anonymous]

OP, in all seriousness... they may be interested in learning to adapt to our culture. I'd take in the information about their culture but then also follow their lead about what they are comfortable with. Most people want to adapt-- within their comfort level, which can adjust over time. As a woman who has spent time on the middle east, I never offered my hand to a man, but they would often extend theirs to offer a handshake to me, since I'm American and that is our customary greeting. Cultural interactions are a dance, not a science.

[Anonymous]

I work in a large school system that has contacts with translators for almost every language. Although the school system pays those translators to assist with IEP mtgs, etc, I've known quite a few who will volunteer their services for situations such as yours. Maybe that would be a resource for you?

[Anonymous]

Wonderful, thank you for doing this. My only advice is that my Pakistani students pronounce the language as PUSH-toe. This may vary by region. Good luck!