Lost in Translation

Here is a quote that I find fascinating from a text I am reading for my Service Learning class about the importance of language and word choice...(this is my rough translation):

"Differences in language can provide evidence for profound cultural divisions. A North America academic once told me that 'solidarity' sounded like an invasion of personal responsibility by means of confidence in 'the collective community.' He was horrified when I told him that 'individualism' in spanish is translated as 'selfishness' or 'egomania.' In fact, individual initiative and collective action have played different roles in the history of the north and the south and are valued in different forms in both latino and anglo cultures. Since the Magna Carta and the US Declaration of Independence, 'individualism' in english evokes the defense of individual interests, the affirmation of one's own thoughts, and the liberty and admiration for the self made man. In spanish, an 'individualist' perspective towards social problems sounds like a contradiction of terms: when the poverty and social problems are so overwhelming, one cannot confront them by themselves. Solidarity doesn't signify the evasion of individual responsibility but rather confronts the problems in a more efficient form: together with others that have the same problems."