Winter, 2014
THE TIDE
Maritime Association of Professional Sign Language Interpreters
mapsli.ca
DVD Review: By the Book – Interpreting an Intake in a County Jail
Beth Reid
I must admit, I was caught off guard at the depth and thoroughness of this
DVD. I was expecting a few clips of discourse, both with and without
interpretation, and that would be the end of it. But that was simply not the
case.
The DVD is surprisingly navigated by a PDF document instead of a DVD disc
menu. After the table of contents and acknowledgements are out of the
way, the PDF takes you through how to troubleshoot working the videos,
how to get captioning to work, where to look for updated software support,
watching videos in slow motion, along with general guidelines as to how to
maximize this DVD’s benefit; all of which can be trying processes if left up to
chance knowledge, so it was appreciated.
The video clips themselves are interlaced within the PDF which made the
entire DVD very easy to follow. This means that you can watch a video
multiple times, letting you be as thorough as you want to be before moving
on, without disrupting the flow of the process. Due to the age of my
computer, I was not able to open the video files directly from the PDF but
was still able to manage quite well by accessing the videos from my
computer’s directory.
The DVD offers the opportunity to practice both simultaneously and
consecutively, providing the entire booking as one video, as well as
predetermined consecutive clips (though the clips number over 200, so
make sure you have the time to devote when you start). There is also a
reflective component, serving up the interpreter’s perspective on the
interpretation that was produced during the film. I liked that although she
was adequately qualified; this was the interpreter’s first experience in this
setting. There is also consultation with hearing officers who were a part of
the project. Both of those are perspectives that we do not always have the
luxury of including in our busy day-to-day work.
Inside This Issue:
DVD Review
pg 1
Mentoring Moment
pg 2
Winter Recipe
pg 2
Interpreting in Medical
Settings – Advanced
Workshop
pg 3
Interpreter Spotlight
pg 4
Crossword Puzzle
pg 5
Newsflash
pg 6
MAPSLI Contact Information
pg 6
Overall I think this is a fantastic resource. It is filled with suggestions for
navigating through the DVD to get as much as possible from the
experience, how to observe the interpreted portions to gain the most insight,
and how to prep for a real world intake, as well as additional resources to
make use of. But more importantly, much of what it offers can be applied in
various settings and be of great benefit to interpreters of all skill and
experience levels. Since I write this review from the perspective of an
interpreter with no experience within the judicial system (toward whom this
DVD is geared), I found the informational aspect of the DVD as beneficial as
the discourse and interpretations.
Page 1 of 6
Mentoring Moment
What makes a great mentor?
I enjoy working with someone who has experience interpreting in a wide range of settings. They
can advise me on how to go about improving my skills in the setting I work in most often, as well as
share their knowledge on how to break in to, and be successful in, a variety of settings.
They have to be trustworthy! If I am going to seek advice from another interpreter, I need to be
confident the conversation will stay between the two of us.
–Anon.
Winter Recipe: Easy Ice Cream Cake
Ingredients:
•
1 cup heavy cream
•
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
•
6 ice cream sandwiches (3.5 ounces each)
•
1/2 cup chocolate chips, chopped
Line an 8½-by-4½-inch loaf pan with a piece of wax paper or parchment, allowing the paper to
hang over both long sides.
In a large bowl, beat the cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.
In the bottom of the pan, arrange 3 of the ice cream sandwiches in a single layer, cutting them to
fit as necessary. Spread with half the whipped cream. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches and
whipped cream.
Sprinkle the top of the cake with the chopped chocolate chips. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze
until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.
Holding both sides of the paper overhang, lift the cake out of the pan and transfer to a platter.
Discard the paper and serve.
Recipe courtesy of realsimple.com
Page 2 of 6
Interpreting in Medical Settings – Advanced Workshop
Pam Scott
This past August, I attended a workshop called Interpreting in Medical Settings, Advanced,
presented by Nigel Howard and Karen Malcolm. This two day workshop in Saint John followed the
Deaf Interpreting Training workshop, which I also attended. Nigel and Karen always have a way of
igniting the passion of interpreting in me, and I felt that fire grow within me again.
Over the two-day workshop, we focused on heart and eye conditions, cancer, and diabetes. As
someone who interprets in the community, it was a thrill to have someone guide me in these concepts
that I encounter daily. Nigel opened the workshop emphasizing that, as interpreters, we should try to
put away our auditory backgrounds and instead visually represent such concepts in a 3-D manner. In
doing so, we might be able to interpret more effectively to our Deaf consumers. If I am able to
interpret properly, then Deaf consumers should start asking the necessary questions, rather than just
accepting whatever is interpreted to them, and then try to figure it out on their own.
Nigel gave examples of a heart “working hard.” Instead of signing, “your heart work hard,” he
emphasized using classifiers to show the heart struggling to squeeze in order to get blood flowing. Nigel
provided anatomically correct classifiers for the heart, which made the interpretation unbelievably
clear. Not only were we able to see how a heart actually pumps, but we were taught how the valves
actually opened and closed. We were also able to see the four chambers. My husband had surgery in
2005 to correct a genetic heart condition, and many times I found my heart classifiers lacking in clarity.
Now I am finally able to describe my husband’s experience clearly!
During this workshop, I was also able to learn the correct sign for brain (open 5-CL clawed hands,
with thumbs touching). Many times while interpreting psychology courses, the brain came up. I was
often left struggling with my own classifier and not having enough space to point out parts of the brain.
When Nigel showed me his classifier, I was relieved to have such a simple, yet accurate, sign for the
brain. It is beautiful and I have successfully incorporated it into my interpretations since then. It works
like a charm!
My favourite part of the workshop was putting our weeks’ worth of training into practice. Using
what we learned from our Deaf Interpreting training and our Medical training, we were split into groups
for role playing. We each had a doctor, a patient, a hearing interpreter, and a Deaf interpreter. Nigel
and Karen sat in amongst the groups to give the interpreters feedback, which was invaluable. During
the role-plays, we made numerous discoveries. One was how to work more effectively as a team with
the Deaf interpreter. The other involved learning how to be conceptually correct (i.e. ignoring our
auditory habits), which helped make our interpretations clearer.
In order to make accurate interpretations, Nigel and Karen encouraged us to look at models, use
posters in the doctors’ office, research YouTube and, most importantly, “Practice, practice, practice.”
Nigel showed us an app called, Human Anatomy Atlas. This app takes a 3-D approach to the body,
showing you the most minute detail, and includes videos to show how the body functions. He
encouraged us to look at it and try to recreate it with our hands. It is a must-have for any interpreter! If
you prefer something hands-on, BrainCandy (a Bedford toy store) has actual 3-D models of the heart,
eye, and ear. Such models may help in practicing classifiers. We should strive to be as accurate as
possible, both for our sake and that of our consumers.
As someone who is dedicated to life-long learning, I look forward to taking more of the Deaf
Interpreting and Medical Training workshops. By attending these workshops, I improve in my
interpretations and become a better asset to my consumers.
Page 3 of 6
INTERPRETER SPOTLIGHT: KRYSTA HARTLEN
How long have you been interpreting? I’ve been interpreting for almost 2 years.
What is the best part about interpreting for you? At the top of the list is how honoured, humbled, and grateful I feel that
people have chosen to allow me into their lives and be of service to them at sometimes tender, vulnerable, or private
moments. I can come home at the end of the day most days and feel that I made a difference in someone’s life today,
which makes it more rewarding than I could have ever imagined “work” to feel.
How do you think the interpreting world can be improved? By interpreters, consumers, and employers being/continuing to
be active rather than complacent about each of our own rights and responsibilities, and working together in partnership
to provide the best services and working conditions possible.
What is the most difficult thing for you to interpret? Abstract concepts, especially in settings where there is a lot of English
jargon being used that ultimately means the same thing. Not only am I challenged to describe “what does it look like?”,
when several words are used to emphasize or fluff-up a point that all have the same meaning more or less, I find creating
a linguistic and register appropriate interpretation challenging.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Well I’m not sure I want to publish that in The Tide and unveil my master plan to
one and all en masse, however if you’re curious, I encourage you to take this opportunity to pop me an email, give me a
call, or catch up with me for coffee and I can fill you in! I’d love to know your 5 year vision for yourself, too.
In general: continuing to both interpret and run my Epicure business; loving life with my dog, Bella; and all of this here in
Halifax.
How do you make yourself a better interpreter? I consider every piece of feedback seriously; regularly self-monitor; have
thoughtful discussions about our work, English, and ASL with interpreters and consumers; take every opportunity for PD that
I am able to; continue to socialize, socialize, socialize; bring students to every assignment I can. I truly believe that in most
cases, the students’ perspective and curiosity provides me an opportunity to critically evaluate my work through their eyes
and my own, and also allows me the opportunity to benchmark myself and my own learning.
What keeps you positive? Practicing a gratitude and abundance mentality on a daily basis.
What inspires you about interpreting? The blend between art and science. On one hand it is like a puzzle to solve - what’s
the best possible way I can interpret this information right now? On the other hand, it’s an art, knowing there are many
possible answers to that question which allows the freedom to escape black and white thinking. The opportunities to work
with, learn from, and teach other interpreters and have a bond with others all over the globe that understand and
appreciate the mental (and sometimes physical!) gymnastics we perform on a daily basis. The opportunities I have to
learn about people, language, and the world.
What advice can you give to new interpreters? Talk to other interpreters! We are the ones that will be in your corner, will
understand what you’re going through (good or bad), and will be your future colleagues. I find teaming so much more
successful when I have a sense of the person I’m working with already.
Would you like to share a joke with us? I like puns, so here you go. I found it online from a pun website
(http://www.punoftheday.com).
"I’m glad I know Sign Language, it’s pretty handy."
Page 4 of 6
WINTER CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Across:
4. The largest snowflake on record measured this many inches wide.
6. Location of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
8. The record for most snow angels made at once was set in this province.
9. Whiteout.
Down:
1. Angus, the world's tallest snowman, was built in this state.
2. Icicles form most often on this side of buildings.
3. Fear of snow.
5. All snowflakes have this many sides.
7. Extremely cold temperature.
Page 5 of 6
NEWSFLASH!
Congratulations to Karen Staples; her second baby is due this month!
Tanya Frank-Scholten is also expecting! Baby number three in due in April! Congratulations!
Very best wishes to Josie Wood and Chris Liberatore who became engaged over the winter!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAPSLI EXECUTIVE BOARD
President: Brenna D’Arcy
Vice President: vacant
Secretary: Jana Delaney-Wilson
Treasurer: Freda Duchesne
Member-at-Large: Beth Reid
COMMITTEE COORDINATORS
Fundraising: Kate Porter
Membership: Sara Morey
Newsletter: Margie Farrell
Financial Assistance: Denise Smith
Professional Development: vacant
CONTACT US
Maritime Association of Professional Sign
Language Interpreters
PO Box 2625
Halifax, NS
B3J 3P7
Contact us at:
[email protected]
Or visit our website:
www.mapsli.ca
The MAPSLI newsletter committee is: Kate Poter, Beth Reid, and Margie Farrell.
If you have any questions or comments, would like to make a submission, or are interested in becoming
involved with the newsletter committee, please contact Margie Farrell at [email protected]
Page 6 of 6