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A group of National JOTA Organizers has presented a new idea to overcome the language barrier during the JOTA. The aim is to make a simple conversation possible between youngsters of different cultures and languages. Without having at least one language in common. How? Well, by introducing a small set of acronyms, very similar to the well-known Q-code used by the radio amateurs. For JOTA, it is called the J-code.

The J-code is introduced for the 45th JOTA as an experiment. See it as a game and a challenge to try to communicate with Scouts that do not speak your language. 

Developed by a group of JOTA Organizers, following the idea of Dave Gemmel, NJO of South-Africa, the J-code aims to make a very basic communication possible between Scouts that have no language in common.

It is a fun way, to try to link up with someone who you otherwise could not communicate with. The J-code is analogous to the Q-code often used by radio amateurs. The code can be used in radio contacts during the JOTA weekend. It is very well suited for iRC during the JOTI, too.

Personal

JWN = My name is …………

JFC = I come from …………(country)

JHO = I am ………. Years old.

JWA = My address is ………

JEM = Our e-mail address is ………..

JWL = The language I speak is ……..

           1 = English

           2 = French

           3 = Spanish

           4 = Portuguese

           5 = Russian

           6 = German

           7 = Dutch

           8 = Italian

Scouting

JCS = I am a Cub Scout

JSC = I am a Scout

JGI = I am a Guide

JRS = I am a Rover Scout

JRG = I am a Ranger Guide

JLS = I am a Scout Leader

JWG = I belong to the Group ………

JHJ = Happy JOTA / JOTI

JSW = Best Scouting wishes to you

General

JAC = We are camping

JWB = The weather here is ………..

           1 = overcast

           2 = rainy

           3 = very heavy rain

           4 = snowy

           5 = fine

  In order to ask a question, just add the letter “X” to the end of the particular code, example:

JWN = My name is ……………                    JWNX = What is your name?

JHO = I am ………… years old                    JHOX = How old are you?

How Do I Use It ?

Imagine the following exchange between a Russian Scout in Wladiwostok and his friend-to-be in Caracas, Venezuela. All words can be spelled in the international spelling alphabet :

            Doswe danja, JWN Dimitri

                        Hala Dimitri, JWN Paco

            JHJ Paco, JFC Russia, QTH Wladiwostok, JWL 5

                        OK Dimitri, QTH Caracas y JHO 12. JHOX

            JHO 14 Paco. JSC, JAC, JWB 4

                        Muy bien, JSC y JWB 1. JSW Dimitri.

            JSW Paco