ASPECTS OF SIGN LANGUAGE and INTERPRETING Seminar-Workshops - USA

By Nemz H. Abiday

 

 

Apart from the basic necessities, one needs to be equipped with habits for good communication skills, as this is what will make them a happy and successful social being. It is the ability to use language (receptive) and express (expressive) information. And the importance of communication skills is not just limited to the hearing world, since effective communication skills are now required in each and every aspect of our life.

Sign language isn't used only by the deaf anymore. It's used for nonverbal children and adults as well as in infants and toddlers to add to their communication skills. Those skills help many people who couldn't otherwise communicate, talk to the world. Being a sign language interpreter is an interesting and challenging job. Yet, as an interpreter, you will be interpreting spoken words and turning them into sign language for someone who is hearing impaired. You will also be translating sign language into spoken words so the hearing impaired can converse with someone who doesn't know sign language

True to his words and actions of being a professional sign language interpreter and a model to all, PAIDE's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alfredo D. Celada, Jr. possesses and has shown examples of what a good and dedicated sign language interpreter is like. He has never stopped improving and sharing his skills in interpreting as well as his involvement and commitment with the deaf community. Whenever, opportunities to learn new things come, he would take it not only for himself or for PAIDE but also for other interpreters.

A year ago, on May 9 to 10, 2008; Sir Jun attended series of Seminar Workshops during the Spring Sign Language and Interpreting Celebration at Long Beach California, USA. The two days seminar- workshops were presented simultaneously and dealt on the different aspects of sign language interpreting. Over 200 participants attended the seminars among them Sign language interpreters and student-interpreters from USA, some participants from Samoa and only him from the Philippines.

The following are among the seminar- workshops he attended:

1. INTERPRETING: NOT JUST A JOB, IT'S AN ADVENTURE. It was facilitated by Mr. Antonio Goodwin, a hearing - Deaf advocate from the U.S. This was a three hour workshop designed to address particular elements of working as a traveling interpreters with focused on working vacations. It also discussed how one can become and what it looks like to be a travelling interpreter but most importantly how one can do it successfully. To make the seminar more realistic and fun, role playing were employed.

2. ASL CLASSIFIERS. It was presented by Mr. John Yingst a deaf based in the U.S. The two hour workshop focused on one of the most important aspects of American Sign Language grammar… the classifiers. The speaker demonstrated eight different aspects of classifiers. (Classifiers are sets of hand shapes that represent classes of things that share similar characteristics. These are signs used to represent general categories or "classes" of things. They can be used to describe the size and shape of an object orperson. They can be used to represent the object itself, or the way the object moves or relates to other objects or people). The participants gained abilities both in expressive and receptive skills. Learning to use this method of interpreting would be a great aid for all interpreters in order to be able to deliver and convey the message well and also to be clearly understood both by the deaf and the hearing individuals.

3. ASL NUMBERING SYSTEMS. This part was facilitated and presented by Sylvia Yingst, a deaf based in the U.S. too. This two hour workshop addressed the various numbering systems in American Sign Language and would greatly help participants and interpreters to improve their receptive skills in number concepts.

4. FINGERSPELLING AND NUMBERS. It was presented by Mr. Rorlando Ochoa a deaf facilitator from the U.S. This two hour workshop focused on finger spelling and number. Participants learned proper letter formation and usage of finger spelling and numbers. They were also encouraged to develop confidence in their ability to decode complete messages from incomplete information or even the use of what they call lexicalized or loan signs.

5. ASL STORY TELLING. It was also facilitated by Mr. Rolando Ochoa (deaf). This two hour seminar-workshop was a lecture on ASL story structure. The more artistic, creative and expressive an interpreter is the more effective he/she becomes to the deaf particularly children or the young.

But, more than good communication skills are good habits, a very important aspect in the role and life of an interpreter. The role of interpreters is not simply to convey information or to translate the message to both the deaf and hearing. Becoming a model and motivator to them and helping them build their confidence, develop their skills and to value themselves are more precious. Moreover, differently- abled persons if given the proper motivation and proper skills will also succeed for any individual, hearing or not, who want to make progress with their life develop important skills, habits, attitude and positive outlook. 

 

 

 

 

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