Near Toulouse. He creates a dictionary of 40 languages to help Ukrainian refugees on a daily basis
By Sarah Gilot
Published on
updated on August 8, 22 at 11:20
“I have at my disposal a treasure that I make available to the Ukrainians”, confides Henry Gourou. This editor of Saint Orens, close to Toulouse (Haute-Garonne), is secretly talked about in France and beyond our borders: throughout Europe. He made a “Special Dictionary Ukrainian Refugees”, which he has translated into 40 languages from 50 countries on the European continent. With one will: their exile less complicated.
“In 2015, I made a dictionary for Syrian refugees with several languages. So, when I saw the Ukraine/Russia conflict, I said to myself that I should also create one for them. I , initially made a small lexicon for France, and I quickly received calls from all over Europe asking for a similar copy. So I thought to myself: why not make it a dictionary with all these languages together? “
The dictionary in a nutshell
This dictionary, it is composed of 200 “essential” words and expressions for Ukrainians. “It allows them to be understood and to communicate. Whether it’s in everyday life or in their foster families,” explains Henry Gourau.
For the, the publisher used the basis of the dictionary he had designed in 2015 for Syrian refugees to create and adapt it. “Inside, there are all the necessary translations for European countries”, reveals Henry Gourau“even for countries that do not have good relations with Ukraine, because refugees are likely to go everywhere to flee.”
Where to find the dictionary?
For the publisher, it was important that the Ukrainian refugees could each have a copy. To do this, in addition to the complete dictionary, it also offers three-page lexicons with translations made for each country. And this is totally free for Ukrainians.
“I was contacted by the Ministry of the Interior who was interested in the lexicon. It was therefore added to the digital welcome booklet that refugees received on their arrival in France. This lexicon is practical, they can print it out and have it in your pocket at all times.”
Some town halls, associations and bookstores in France have also placed an order to obtain the complete dictionary with the 40 languages. To have one, the editor advises to get closer to his town hall to find out more.
A demand everywhere in Europe
Henry Gourau didn’t expect the effect the dictionary had, “it touched me to see the impact I had. Hundreds of thousands of refugees throughout Europe have this dictionary”. The publisher admits receiving requests from many countries, “again this week, Slovenia and the Czech Republic asked me again for copies”.
Unfortunately, even if the will accompanies it, it will not be able to help them all:
“If someone asks me for a digital version, there is no problem. On the other hand, for the printed dictionaries, I will no longer be able to continue to do so for each country. I do this for free, because my stomach hurts. heart for these refugees, but I have no help to pay for the printing and the graphic designers who lay out the lexicons and the dictionary. Everything comes out of my pocket.”
A small dictionary, but a good deedsigned Henri Goursau.
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