Calendar

From SPARK

A printed calendar is a representation of time. It is usually printed on paper. Not all cultures record time in the same way. Many indigenous cultures keep track of time by the moon or planting seasons. The Gregorian calendar is a common way to record time. It is used in many parts of the world. It consists of 365 days and is divided into 12 months. Some months have 30 days, and some have 31 days. The second month has 28 days except it has 29 days approximately every four years.

A calendar may be used as an educational tool. It can teach people about numbers and how to "read" pictures. It can also be a means to give Scripture verses and to provide information through pictures.

The addition of vernacular Scripture portions and meaningful images can make a simple calendar an ideal aid to give validity to the language.

Considerations

Consider whether the culture sees keeping track of time as an undesired foreign practice.

Information that is valued may be added so people are more likely to keep and refer to the calendar. Examples of this are cross-stitch diagrams, a table of measurements, and a list of government officials.

Consideration needs to be given to how to record time. Ask what will fit in with the culture and act as a bridge to the calendar system used in the major culture of the area. Sometimes it is best not to confuse people by giving them any transition.

Does the calendar used in the major culture separate the month into weeks? Or is the month formatted by having one straight line of all its days? Some start weeks on Saturday. Others start the week on Sunday.

Years can be counted in different ways. The Gregorian calendar categorizes years as either before (BC) or after (AD), the accepted birth of Jesus Christ. (It is common practice to omit “BC” and “AD” when the correct designation is obvious.) Muslim years are counted since the Hijra, that is, Mohammed's emigration to Medina. The Jewish calendar begins its years from what is 3761 BC in the Gregorian calendar. This is the year Jews believe God created the world. The Chinese calendar records time in 60-year cycles, starting from 2637 BC, when the Chinese think their ancestors started this calendar system.

Consider whether you want to mark civil and religious holidays. Will people of some religions be offended if their holiday is not included? Will people think you are giving approval to a religion if you include its holidays?

Make the text and images large enough for people without perfect eyesight.

Limit the amount and complexity of content if it is for people who do not know how to read words or understand pictures.

Words inside boxes may confuse people who are not used to seeing images on paper. Text that runs across a number of boxes may be confusing. (An example of this is a Bible verse printed in the second week of a month.) Test degrees of difficulty before printing. Test if grid lines help or hinder.

See Visual for things to consider in choosing visual images.