Sweet Home Floripa, Florianópolis, Brazil

I met Dr. Nascimento in her office just off the Beira Mar and around the corner from the Polícia Federal.  I had been to her office many times and and her signature and stamp mark many of my documents, but this was the very first time I had actually met Dr. Nascimento in person. It turns out that Dr. Nascimento is not only trained as a lawyer, but also earned a doctorate from UFSC. She did part of her doctoral studies at the University of Massachusetts and did research at the University of Massachusetts Translation Center.

 “Why,” I asked her, “did the government set up a translation industry in the first place?”

“In order,” Dr. Nascimento responded in the measured phrases of a university professor, “to comply with the law.  First, in order to be valid in Brazil all foreign documents must be translated into Portuguese.  How can the government know that these documents, which will become valid in the Brazilian legal system, have been translated correctly?  That’s where we come in.   

“At the same time, we are self-employed professionals, and not paid or employed by the state.  We work for ourselves and we are responsible for our translations.  Once I sign a translation I am responsible for all legal ramifications if there is a problem with the translation.”  

In fact, she told me, “If I see evidence that any alterations have been made to the document that may indicate that it has been tampered with I am obliged to report the fact using a translator’s note.”

Dr. Nascimento’s duties extend beyond translation and she also works as an interpreter in legal cases.  If you get into trouble with the law while in Brazil you should be sure to contact an authorized translator to make sure you are heard accurately by the judge. 

Dr. Nascimento told me of one case in which a foreigner was accused of both a civil and a criminal offense.  “The judge listened to him and decided that his Portuguese was good enough. Then this foreigner lost his civil case.  When it came time to try his criminal case he hired me to go to the courthouse to help him.  However, the secretary told me that I was not needed. I told her, ‘OK, but my client was the one who hired me to come here today, so please tell the judge that if he is dismissing me I would like the record to reflect that I was here today and he was the one who dismissed me.’ 

“So they let me in.  I sat quietly and listened and my client asked me to step in whenever he needed help.  And it turned out he did need it, because at one point he explained that something had occurred in the “Parking,” which the judge understood as the “Park.” The real word of course was estacionamento.  So it was very important to have an independent, but authoritative, translator present.”

Dr.  Nascimento has also attended weddings and made sure the foreign bride or groom knew what they were promising their soon-to-be spouse:  “If you are going to utter those vows, you’d better know what they mean!”  

After hearing all this I was willing to acknowledge that there was much more to the translator/interpreter’s work than I had understood, but Dr.  Nascimento was intent on dispelling the idea that, “Brasileiro adora carimbo,”or “Brazilians love bureaucracy.” 

“In the United States,” she said, “it’s sometimes much worse.” Taking care not to jeopardize her client’s confidentiality, she gave the example of an American document that she had translated.  The document had been signed and made official by a notary in New York City.  Then she pointed to another document attached to it which was the clerk of the Supreme Court of New York certifying that the notary was, in fact, a notary.  On top of this document was yet a third document, this one certified by the office of none less than Condoleeza Rice, certifying that the clerk was, in fact, the clerk.  “We have nothing like this in Brazil.” 

“The only one they left out was George Bush,” I quipped and we both laughed.

At the end of each translation Dr. Nascimento states the price and how it was reached so that customers understand her fee basis.

So, be aware that whenever you present a foreign document—whether a driver’s license, a marriage certificate, a birth certificate, or anything else—it will need to be translated by someone like Dr. Nascimento in order to be recognized by the Brazilian legal system.

Dr. Lucia Nascimento’s office can be found at Rua São Vicente de Paula, 240 in Agronomica, Florianópolis.  She can be reached at:  (48) 3228-2332 or via email at: traducaojuramentada@gmail.com 

I don’t know about you, but for me things always get so busy at the end of the year. For teachers I think it’s especially crazy as we not only have to tie up classes and tests for the year but we also have to rehearse presentations, plan parents meetings and write numerous report cards.  Now I’m not complaining because I know that this is part and parcel of the job and I’ve decided now for some time that I’m definitely in the right profession.

So let’s reflect; if it wasn’t for the report cards and parents meetings when would we really sit down and think carefully about each and every student we teach?

And when doing so, do we really consider the whole child or simply their intellectual skills and whether they are learning or not? There’s another thing too, should we write only the positive things and leave the negative observations out?

I believe that with care and tact it is our job as teachers and educators to tell the truth about our students and pass over as much information as possible.

Teaching any child should always be seen as a partnership between the educator and the parents or guardians.  It’s not an easy task believe me but the only way to real growth and healthy development is by being open minded and getting down to the basics.

This year in our little school we have tried to implant a regular observation scheme of our students. We put together a list for the semester and have tried to observe two students a week.  We not only watch them during class but also at break time.  We watch the way they learn, the way they play, the way they behave with their friends even the way they eat! There are three teachers so we then have three different visions or observational points of view.  It’s SO interesting. It takes time but the rewards are three fold.

If this is not your teaching situation at all there are other ways of getting to know the students you teach and a wealth of information within them that any curious teacher can tap into.

Let’s say that you’re a private teacher, teaching small groups or even one to one.  Below is a simple game that you can do with your students that involves all the four skills and a few other more psychological ones to boot!  Teaching private students does have an element of closeness that a larger classroom doesn’t. Why not try it?

Game Instructions

Tell your student that you are going to play a game. Explain that you are going to give some instructions and that the student has to follow them.  Give them ample time to complete each task and repeat where necessary.  Help the student and give positive feedback

Say:

• Draw a circle and in it write your name.
• Now draw two lines under the circle and number them 1, 2.
• On line one write the names of the people you live with.
• On line two write another name that you would like to have.
• Draw a square and in it write your date of birth.
• Now draw two lines under the square and number them 3, 4.
• On line three write your favorite season of the year.
• On line four write your lucky number.
• Draw an oblong and in it write the name of someone you admire.
• Now draw two lines under the oblong and number them 5, 6.
• On line five write why you admire the person above.
• On line six write something you are good at.
• Draw an oval and in it write the name of the book you’re reading/ have read.
• Now draw two lines under the oval and number them 7, 8.
• On line seven write the style of story you prefer.
• On line eight write the name of a hobby you have.
• Draw a triangle and write the name of your favorite room in your house.
• Now draw two lines under the triangle and number them 9, 10.
• On line nine write down a task in the house that you hate doing.
• On line ten write down a task in the house that you love doing.

When you have finished you will have a nice personal profile of your student that you can use in your conversation class or as a guide to know what kind of classes and content to prepare for future classes.

The drawing element should help the student to relax and therefore feel less inhibited with their answers. I have used this game on many occasions and it has always been a success. You can also change the format and questions to suit your way of teaching.  Brazilian students are usually so open hearted and really enjoy talking about their lives.

For you the teacher, it’s a real gift of information and maybe a helpful hand when writing a final report!  Enjoy!

Lucy Crichton is graduated in Classical Theatre and holds a TEFL certificate from Teacher Training International, London.  She is an independent teacher, teacher trainer, and storyteller who has given lectures both nationally and international. Co-author of Lucky Me, and Lucky and You, a two level primary course book for children published by Macmillan.  Her latest research includes the study of children’s drawings and the four temperaments of Rudolf Steiner. Lucy is also one of the founders of The New Eyes Teacher Development Group in Florianopolis. You can reach her at lucy@mdenergia.com.br

Photograph by Juan Miguel Espinoza

Local street parades are one of the most important aspects of traditional Carnival in Florianópolis. Rain or shine, blocos dance through decorated streets accompanied by residents and tourists.   

The highlights begin on Friday, February 12 at 5 p.m. in San Antonio de Lisboa with blocos Avante e Baiacu de Alguém parading through this charming, traditional town.  

Meawhile, in the center, starting at 5 p.m  on Calçadão da Rua Padre Miguelino, you can samba with the new bloco Vento Encanado whose goal is to support and continue the traditions of street carnaval.  At 6 p.m. party with local bands in front of the Largo da Alfândega.   At 8 p.m. Grupo de Maracatu Arrasta Ilha parades from Igreja do Rosario at down to the Praca 15 and return via Felipe Schimdt 

 On Saturday February 13, you won’t want to miss The Bloco de Sujos where men dress in drag and the party pours out onto the Beira Mar.  Dress up and join the fun, Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Center.  Blocos Sou + Eu and Absoluto e Lira will also parade.  In Santo Antonio de Lisboa, at 8 p.m. Grupo de Maracatu Arrasta Ilha parades from Igreja de Santo Antonio de Lisboa down the main street. 

On Sunday samba down Avenida Campeche with Onodi.  The bloco leaves from Igreja Sao Sebastiao parades down to Novo Campeche and returns. 

Monday in the Center join one of the island’s  wildest parties Festa Pop Gay at Praça Tancredo Neves, 9 p.m .

Today´s Brazilian Carnival is a vast multi-media event, with high tech shows, motorized floats, and giant screens displaying the action to massive crowds.  Satellites beam the images into living rooms around the world.  But ´The World´s Biggest Party´ has its roots in the ancient origins of civilization.   

The carnival of today can be traced back to the festivals surrounding the god Dionysus, the Greek god of wine.  Dionysus was known for his ability to bring about epiphany—or sudden realizations—and also for his power to liberate his followers from their normal selves, whether through madness, ecstasy, or wine.  His divine mission was to use music to bring an end to worry and stress.  He was also able to preside over communication between the living and the dead.  While male, Dionysus had the curves and soft flesh of a woman, and was sometimes called a man-woman.  Those who attend the Bloco Dos Sujosin Florianopolis will see how this confusion of male and female is still very much alive in today´s carnival. 

The wild rites of the Dionysians were celebrated in Greece for centuries before being reborn in Rome around 200 BC.  The Romans renamed Dionysus, Bacchus.  The first Bacchanalians were all women and his cult was worshipped in the Grove of Simla.  Slaves were also allowed to attend. The combination of women and slaves dancing wildly in secret ceremonies struck fear into the heart of the authorities.  The Cult of Bacchus was soon banned by the authorities who claimed that all kinds of conspiracies and plots to overthrow the government were being planned there. But the Romans found it nearly impossible to stamp out the secret meetings and they continued long afterwards.   

Even Christianity was unable to stamp out the wild revelries of the Bacchanalians.  The Roman Catholic church adopted the holiday as a lead up to Ash Wednesday and Lent, when Christians are supposed to abstain from eating meat and poultry and some historians argue that the word carnival comes from the Latin phrase, Carne Vale—or Farewell to the Flesh.  The celebrations soon turned into massive, wild, and drunken parties. (This was probably not the intention of the Church officials who first sanctioned carnival.) 

Over the centuries carnival celebrations adopted masques, street parades, and parties held in public places that still expressed the ancient desire to overturn norms—of good conduct, sexual prudery, and sobriety.  The Dionysian spirit has proven to be eternal.  The need to be naughty, to break the rules, to act impulsively is a human constant. 

In Brazil, the first Carnival is dated to 1641.  In that year the bourgeoisie of Rio de Janeiro copied the Parisian habit of holding balls and masquerades just before Lent.  The parties became popular and mixed with African and Native American traditions and continued to evolve and transform with the passing of time.  By the nineteenth century Carnaval celebrations included street parades and allowed a much-needed outlet for the pressures and tensions of the slave society that Brazil had become. 

Samba, the music of the modern carnaval was invented at the beginning of the 20th century by former slaves who had relocated from Bahia to Rio de Janeiro.  Samba lyrics, which often speak of great joy tinged with melancholy, perhaps still echo (at a great distance) the music of the Dionysians, whose stringed instruments could push away the listener´s everyday cares and tawdry concerns in favor of a magnificent dream of joy, ecstacy, and liberation.   

Today, all of these influences and many, many more besides all combine to make up that distinctly Brazilian form of mayhem, chaos, and wild fun that we know as Carnaval.

Visitors to Florianópolis who seek a more homey, intimate place to stay while on the island would do well to consider Marcia Pirmez’s new Bed and Breakfast near Lagoa da Conceição.  Called “Janela de Marcia,”  this B&B offers the warmth and coziness of a stay at a friend’s house with the convenience of a concierge service.  Janela de Marcia is located in an upscale residential area in Lagoa, just five minutes walk from the bars and restaurants so you don’t need to rent a car.  On the other hand, if you want a professional driver to take you around the island, go surfing, or do whatever, Marcia will be happy to arrange all that for you free of charge.

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