I have been studying and working in many places in Italy and abroad. Through this I have experienced many lost in translation incidents while working in a group, especially when everybody is working in a third language that it’s not his own. Sometime it is very funny, sometime frustrating.
This same obstacles are there even when you work in your own language. This mostly happen because behind the same words we have different significances that emerges from different paths, experiences, and education.
I believe the real strength of Design is and should be that of a Translator. Be able to act as a hub. Take all the inputs and distribute mediated, designed outputs. Re-evaluate and proceed in the design loops.
I think Mediation and Translation are the central concepts on how I see Design now.