Okay, so I may be the first to say that while Fridays are typically looked forward to, I'm not sure if the next couple are going to be. Maybe we'll be more thankful for a Monday. So, the first class I think we all got kind of a slap in the face about the portfolio. I have been trying to think of different things to put in my portfolio but I feel like I don't have anything worthy to put in there. I will definitely be going home this weekend and looking around for any of my certificates/awards I can put in there to hopefully make it look like something. I guess it won't be so bad when we get everything organized and put together but it's kind of daunting at the moment.
I again was nervous today in the second class. I think my biggest thing was that I felt like I hadn't signed in ten years. And again, my non-manuals made my interpretation even worse because...there were none. For the most part, I'm just one of those people not used to showing many emotions and I need to really get over that. Still one of my biggest obstacles. Wait, where is the comfort in knowing your problem but it still not being fixed? I think that's a very miniscule comfort.
And, for the last class, I seriously think, the more we discuss things the more I have no idea what I would do trying to interpret in an educational setting. Also, how can one question lead to so many others? But, that's definitely how it is. I hope I'm not the only one here who is asked one question and fifty others come to mind. There are just so many different situations and possibilities that can go on in an everyday classroom. So, maybe we'll all survive these next couple Fridays and go on to the next.....
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Hello Hairy Man?...
Well, I just got back home from the 'Wiley and the Hairy Man' play and first and foremost, I must say that I was so proud of everybody signing. It was funny because I was sitting in the audience like five minutes before the play with Rachel and I told her I was so nervous for them and I didn't even have anything in it. But, everyone did sooo well with everything. It was awesome to be able to watch the signers for the whole play and to not have to miss anything going on onstage. It just makes you think how great it will be for the Deaf audience to watch the signers/actors the whole time. So, bravo everyone!
As for class, we watched some more videos today. We watched some that were sample for the old national testing and then some with kids. Both were I think harder than we're used to but it was good to see how the testing is. And, we find out again that kids are harder to read typically than adults. But, it is so interesting to see the differences. And again, everyone was nervous to try to voice but we really need to get over that. We've learned a bunch that most interpreters are usually a lot better at expressive than receptive. We need to break that mold. None of us are really skilled yet, I think we can generally agree on that, but we can keep improving on both sides of interpreting.
As for class, we watched some more videos today. We watched some that were sample for the old national testing and then some with kids. Both were I think harder than we're used to but it was good to see how the testing is. And, we find out again that kids are harder to read typically than adults. But, it is so interesting to see the differences. And again, everyone was nervous to try to voice but we really need to get over that. We've learned a bunch that most interpreters are usually a lot better at expressive than receptive. We need to break that mold. None of us are really skilled yet, I think we can generally agree on that, but we can keep improving on both sides of interpreting.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tangents, we all have them...
So, what am I writing about today? To write or not to write, I guess that's the semi-frozen question of the day. Well, first off, I got my expansion video back today, which I was kinda nervous about getting back. I did better than I thought (I tend to say that a lot...confidence - another thing to work on) but I so need to work on my non-manuals. I think that's one of my biggest challenges right now. Maybe part of it is just not being so outgoing, haha, right?
And, we had our last book test on the red book today. I literally sat trying to think of the one question and all of the sudden I thought, this is the last test from the book and I can't think of the answer and I can't even study more and do better on the next one because there is no next one. Performance testing is a scary thought but one that we need to do so...
We talked about different certifications with the blue book. So, how confusing is all of that? I'm not sure which test I'll really want to try to take but I hope that I'll eventually be ready to get certified in something. Oh, and, April keeps saying people told her she wasn't ready to take her test yet so where does that leave all of us? Maybe years from now we'll be ready too.
And, we had our last book test on the red book today. I literally sat trying to think of the one question and all of the sudden I thought, this is the last test from the book and I can't think of the answer and I can't even study more and do better on the next one because there is no next one. Performance testing is a scary thought but one that we need to do so...
We talked about different certifications with the blue book. So, how confusing is all of that? I'm not sure which test I'll really want to try to take but I hope that I'll eventually be ready to get certified in something. Oh, and, April keeps saying people told her she wasn't ready to take her test yet so where does that leave all of us? Maybe years from now we'll be ready too.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Two blogs, glad the days are done...
Monday
We had our test for the blue book on chapter ten. I just wasn't focused on this test and so I hope I did okay. It wasn't that I hadn't studied or whatever but just that I was kinda stressed out I guess. Oh no, the rest of the class has sucked me in with their stress. I hope for the next test I can just put everything else out of my head, at least for that hour anyway. We went through another chapter in the red book too. There were some tips about how to keep our skills up and different things that we're supposed to do during our interpretation, like breathe. I think we do put a good deal of pressure on ourselves and sometimes we need to just breathe and calm down a little and we could do better sometimes. April came in and taught Ruby's class again today. It is interesting to see the different ways that things can be taught. But, I think any time that we're exposed to signing and using our receptive skills, the better we'll be at it. Any and all exposure is great for us and I think we all learn something new from April and Ruby every day.
Friday
Well, today I voiced for a video of Ruby and while I must say I was about scared to death to do it, I'm really glad I did. It's one of those things where you realize that if you never try to do something, you never will. That sounds cliche but it's pretty much right. And, it made me realize again that I need to work on my fillers. I guess it's just something I do until I can get some more information together in my head to put it out there but they're unnecessary and, like we've learned a thousand times, they tend to make the speaker sound less powerful. So, yeah, I really need to work on that, especially if I try to voice for Ruby again, who we all know is an extremely powerful speaker. But, I guess it's at least something that I know I need to work on.
We had our test for the blue book on chapter ten. I just wasn't focused on this test and so I hope I did okay. It wasn't that I hadn't studied or whatever but just that I was kinda stressed out I guess. Oh no, the rest of the class has sucked me in with their stress. I hope for the next test I can just put everything else out of my head, at least for that hour anyway. We went through another chapter in the red book too. There were some tips about how to keep our skills up and different things that we're supposed to do during our interpretation, like breathe. I think we do put a good deal of pressure on ourselves and sometimes we need to just breathe and calm down a little and we could do better sometimes. April came in and taught Ruby's class again today. It is interesting to see the different ways that things can be taught. But, I think any time that we're exposed to signing and using our receptive skills, the better we'll be at it. Any and all exposure is great for us and I think we all learn something new from April and Ruby every day.
Friday
Well, today I voiced for a video of Ruby and while I must say I was about scared to death to do it, I'm really glad I did. It's one of those things where you realize that if you never try to do something, you never will. That sounds cliche but it's pretty much right. And, it made me realize again that I need to work on my fillers. I guess it's just something I do until I can get some more information together in my head to put it out there but they're unnecessary and, like we've learned a thousand times, they tend to make the speaker sound less powerful. So, yeah, I really need to work on that, especially if I try to voice for Ruby again, who we all know is an extremely powerful speaker. But, I guess it's at least something that I know I need to work on.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Another day, another video
In the first class today, we talked more from the book about some of the different things that we have to analyze and change in order to make the message we put out but equivalent and culturally appropriate. Again, we're reminded exactly how hard the entire process can be.
After we finished from the book, we basically had another ITP meeting, this one being extremely more structured, the way it should have been from the beginning. I'm glad that April is making the decisions right now since we obviously couldn't come up with anything as a group. Hopefully we will come together for the fundraiser and really make it work.
We watched another video today in the second class and had to write down what we got from it. The first time I watched it, I got some of the points, but I got so much more out of it the second time we got to see it. It would be nice to have that opportunity every time but there's no way that's going to happen in real life unfortunately.
So, yeah, Ruby's class scared me. I think it wouldn't have been so nerve-wracking if there would have been some sort of noise in the background. I get nervous when we sign for videos and things in class but at least there's someone talking for us to interpret. Every day there seems to be another challenge and it forces us to learn how to deal.
I recently found out a little more about my practicum and the more I think about it, the more I'm excited but nervous. There are so many things to do to get ready and I just hope that in the end, I can interpret to the best of my ability. I think we're going to learn so much while we're in practicum and I am excited, just getting over the nerves is the hard part...
After we finished from the book, we basically had another ITP meeting, this one being extremely more structured, the way it should have been from the beginning. I'm glad that April is making the decisions right now since we obviously couldn't come up with anything as a group. Hopefully we will come together for the fundraiser and really make it work.
We watched another video today in the second class and had to write down what we got from it. The first time I watched it, I got some of the points, but I got so much more out of it the second time we got to see it. It would be nice to have that opportunity every time but there's no way that's going to happen in real life unfortunately.
So, yeah, Ruby's class scared me. I think it wouldn't have been so nerve-wracking if there would have been some sort of noise in the background. I get nervous when we sign for videos and things in class but at least there's someone talking for us to interpret. Every day there seems to be another challenge and it forces us to learn how to deal.
I recently found out a little more about my practicum and the more I think about it, the more I'm excited but nervous. There are so many things to do to get ready and I just hope that in the end, I can interpret to the best of my ability. I think we're going to learn so much while we're in practicum and I am excited, just getting over the nerves is the hard part...
Monday, February 11, 2008
It's too cold...where's my blanket?
Monday
Our first class was cancelled today...way too cold! We did...tried to voice some videos in the second class. We're so used to seeing certain people sign that when we're supposed to voice for someone else, we can't do it. I was glad that I could understand some portions of the videos that we watched though. I know that the things we learn from the books are important because of the concepts we learn from them but at the same time, I'm glad that we get to do the real-life things too. The concepts are important to apply but I think it's really good for us to actually see people signing on a regular basis; it's the only way that we can be somewhat prepared for the different signing styles that we'll come across when we're interpreting. While we all may wish that our clients signed exactly like April or Ruby or someone else we're used to, that's only a fantasy land unfortunately. But, just like all of us have different ways of saying things, so do the Deaf community have different ways and styles of signing things. And yes, Rachel and Sarah laughed at me today for saying 'writ' but hey, that's my different way of talking - haha.
Friday
Well, I need to remember to start writing this immediately after class because then I forget what all we've done. After finishing the red book test on Wednesday, we have started into a new chapter. This one discusses things about transitions in a conversation. It points out different signs that can be used to transition from one idea to another and some of them are really subtle. These signs let the conversation flow more easily and provides a connection between the ideas. It's like writing a paper and using certain phrases to move to another paragraph. In Ruby's class today we talked more about how to describe a house. By making us tell a lot of details about something, it gets us in the habit of doing this in everyday conversation. The details given are important to the deaf culture, even though it is typically against our nature in the hearing culture.
Our first class was cancelled today...way too cold! We did...tried to voice some videos in the second class. We're so used to seeing certain people sign that when we're supposed to voice for someone else, we can't do it. I was glad that I could understand some portions of the videos that we watched though. I know that the things we learn from the books are important because of the concepts we learn from them but at the same time, I'm glad that we get to do the real-life things too. The concepts are important to apply but I think it's really good for us to actually see people signing on a regular basis; it's the only way that we can be somewhat prepared for the different signing styles that we'll come across when we're interpreting. While we all may wish that our clients signed exactly like April or Ruby or someone else we're used to, that's only a fantasy land unfortunately. But, just like all of us have different ways of saying things, so do the Deaf community have different ways and styles of signing things. And yes, Rachel and Sarah laughed at me today for saying 'writ' but hey, that's my different way of talking - haha.
Friday
Well, I need to remember to start writing this immediately after class because then I forget what all we've done. After finishing the red book test on Wednesday, we have started into a new chapter. This one discusses things about transitions in a conversation. It points out different signs that can be used to transition from one idea to another and some of them are really subtle. These signs let the conversation flow more easily and provides a connection between the ideas. It's like writing a paper and using certain phrases to move to another paragraph. In Ruby's class today we talked more about how to describe a house. By making us tell a lot of details about something, it gets us in the habit of doing this in everyday conversation. The details given are important to the deaf culture, even though it is typically against our nature in the hearing culture.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Everyone needs a little meditation...
Okay, well, today seemed like everyone was stressed out. We had our red book test today on chapters 7 & 8 and everyone was soo worried. I think most of us worry for nothing because when we get our tests back, they're not so bad. And while I still think everyone needs some yoga or meditation or something, I guess that's how some people have to study. But, while the test wasn't easy, it went better than I thought it would and I am more relieved too.
In the first class, we started into chapter 10 which basically seems to just go in more depth with the process of analyzing the message to interpret. It just shows how much we need to do, all within a really short time. There is so much to think about and process and to put back out to our clients. There was a comment made about how interpreters need to be intelligent and need to have the ability to process all the information. It makes you stop and think if we really can do all of these things at one time and I guess we just have to keep practicing and learning all the time.
A bunch of us went up to the office during lunch again today and they were practicing fingerspelling. Rachel made the comment on her blog that she's envious or something of the way I can look at fingerspelling and numbers and understand them. They told me today to just keep it in my head instead of telling them the answers. Sometimes this is hard for me to do, it just comes a little more natural to me in certain situations and I just want to tell them what the word is. All of us have different strengths and weaknesses and I'm always still trying to get better on things, even though they think I'm good. I'm sure if you asked someone more experienced, they would be glad to tell you I still know nothing. Maybe we'll all be enlightened one day.
In the first class, we started into chapter 10 which basically seems to just go in more depth with the process of analyzing the message to interpret. It just shows how much we need to do, all within a really short time. There is so much to think about and process and to put back out to our clients. There was a comment made about how interpreters need to be intelligent and need to have the ability to process all the information. It makes you stop and think if we really can do all of these things at one time and I guess we just have to keep practicing and learning all the time.
A bunch of us went up to the office during lunch again today and they were practicing fingerspelling. Rachel made the comment on her blog that she's envious or something of the way I can look at fingerspelling and numbers and understand them. They told me today to just keep it in my head instead of telling them the answers. Sometimes this is hard for me to do, it just comes a little more natural to me in certain situations and I just want to tell them what the word is. All of us have different strengths and weaknesses and I'm always still trying to get better on things, even though they think I'm good. I'm sure if you asked someone more experienced, they would be glad to tell you I still know nothing. Maybe we'll all be enlightened one day.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Let's try this after a semi-stressful day...
Today I finally decided I might as well give this a shot and maybe I'll be able to remember to do this easier than writing every day. It was, as I've titled, a semi-stressful day. I have found out though, that I can't really let myself get too stressed or else it just makes me forget everything. So...I studied some more this morning for our blue book test. Chapter nine I must say, seemed to last forever. But, I did get through it and a lot of it was similar to the red book stuff about the expansions. I was glad to already know some of that. The test went better than I expected but it always seems like there's something we should've known and didn't. Today was also the first day of a silent second class. The idea of this is intimidating to us I think but I am really glad we're doing that actually. It never seems like I get enough practice with receptives, as well as expressives, so I hope this will help. I was glad I could understand mostly everything that was signed to us, at least for today. And...in the last class we discussed a bunch of different scenarios in educational interpreting. The more we talk about things, the more questions come up. It's hard to know what we would do considering we've not experienced that situation yet. I'm nervous about going to practicum, but excited at the same time because we will be getting that experience firsthand. Well, I think this is about all to process for today. More on Wednesday if I'm doing this right...we'll see.
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