Professional Interpreting Discussions

I had a very inspiring moment while interpreting the other day. Of course I don't want to include exact situations or names but to give a broad idea I was voicing for someone and signing also. I had interpreted a question that I thought I had delivered the message correctly but it turns out it wasn't clear...after having the discussion with the person afterwards and really understanding the situation I understood that I needed to work on understanding the message and then interpreting it with a good understanding of the meaning behind it. This is so important in ASL...as I watch tapes and try to watch them without voice I really try to find if I can understand the interpretation as a WHOLE message from the speaker... I have been working on this and I find that I am really starting to get a better grasp on understanding interpreting and not transliteration...really starting to apply the concepts that I have been learning not only through my interpreting jobs, but also as I am st...

Today we are meeting to discuss all the new challenges I have been facing in the interpreting world and how I am feeling more comfortable with many situations that I was quite awkward a few months ago. Also we will talk about the goals and questions that we had discussed and how I have begun to understand the steps to take to find the solutions. Will post more later today... :)

The NIC Rubric was introduced for the first time at this workshop!! WHOA! I have been studying really hard for the NIC written test but had no idea the depth and challenge that this next part of the NIC test would be. I have a general overview of how they conduct the interview and how they will base the 5 sections for 5 minutes each on the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct, on how you can take multiple perspectives from all members of the community ex: Deaf, hearing, intperperter, etc. , How you need to focus on short term but also long term effects, etc. They gave out some practice senarios and I have a LOT of notes. I figure after my written test is over and I set up a test date I can really start to focus my attention on this part of the test as well as the preformance...just take one thing at a time. I'm just glad I have a basic understanding of what to expect and an outline of what to study and what they expect from me during the interview portion.

My mentor pat recommended this FANTASTIC workshop "Peer Conferencing: Let's Talk Ethics" by: Jo Linda Powell Greenfield and Anna Witter-Merithew to me a few weeks ago and I really benefited so much from the workshop! It really emphesized the fact that interpreters were out there working autonomously but you need to work with "competent autonomy" which means you need to process every decision you make in your mind and make the most ethical decision during your interpreting work. Peer Conferencing allowed you to evaluate your own work and others to make the right decisions when you are put in different situations. This really to me allowed me to really make the connection to why we are having this mentor program and how important this is to the interpreting field. There was also a part where the speaker really encouraged to get feedback from the Deaf person you are working with, asking for feedback if you feel you weren't clear on the message or if you could i...