(Note: both samples are on the same video. The
ASL to Enlgish interpretation is first.)
First interpretation of “My trip to Washington D.C.” by Laura Waterhouse
from EIPA secondary prep materials
ASL to English
February 2, 2009
When I first put in the DVD I did not quite understand what we were supposed to be doing. The assignment description in our syllabus stated to do one ASL to English interpretation sample, and one English to ASL interpretation sample. However, the DVD had both the hearing consumer (interview) and deaf consumer (Laura Waterhouse) on video. I chose to interpret into both languages.
The two way conversation made it easier for me to feel more natural during my interpretation. I had a clear sense of who my consumers were, what their styles were like, and what the whole context of the interview involved. I also felt much more in touch because the age of the deaf consumer is near to my own, which really showed in my affect and word choice.
Overall, I feel pretty good about this sample. Most of my speech was idiomatic (something I have been working on in my professional development plan). There are a few things I would like to state explicitly so I can better reflect and grow for the next sample.
Aspects to improve:
I didn’t exactly know where to face when signing to the deaf consumer, although it became blatantly obvious afterward that I should sign where the deaf consumer was on the TV. I guess I just feel the urge to stare at the camera when interpreting on camera.
I noticed that I played with my hair a few times. I should use a clip or get it out of my face.
My cat is meowing during some of the video, and also scratching on things. I need to not allow my cat to interrupt my process, videotape somewhere else, or find some way to keep my cat from disrupting the video.
First interpretation of “The Great Depression”
from EIPA secondary prep materials
English to ASL
February 4, 2009
I had a really hard time with this video because there were a lot of overlapping voices, and the video/audio quality was not that great. I have noticed that I tend to favor looking at the English speaking consumer while they are talking during my interpretations. When I can’t see their mouth moving or their facial expressions, I tend to get lost in the noise and miss the message. That is something that I have acknowledged and am working on improving. Another thing I struggle with is where to look. It seems to only happen when I am interpreting from English to ASL. It’s as if I am processing twice as hard and am searching for the correct signs in my head somewhere. I am working on improving this aspect of my interpretations as well.
Overall, I feel like I have improved since last term. I think the biggest problem with this work sample is that I did not decide on a consumer, and so I did not know what to expect, how to sign in my interpretations, or what other choices to make during the interpretation process. In the previous video everything was right there. I just completely forgot. Now I understand how important knowing who your consumer is.
Also, there were many places where I could not hear the students responding to the teacher. I chose to tell the deaf consumer that I couldn’t hear, and add in the bits and pieces of what I did hear (escort interpreting). Before I probably would have panicked and stopped interpreting altogether. There are a few things I would like to explicitly state from this work sample so I can work on improving them:
Aspects to improve:
I need to remember to take off my bracelet.
Role shifting: I still struggle with this. I need some fresh ideas on how to practice and incorporate role shifting. Any ideas?
Signed DEPRESSION. I should have fingerspelled, and then signed something like DECLINE.
Due to the overlap in voices, which filled my channel full, I got caught up in the words a few times.