How to Improve an ASL-to-English Interpretation

How to Improve an ASL-to-English Interpretation

1. Improving English Skills

   • Increase Vocabulary
     • Passive: words person recognizes when reading or listening
     • Active: words used when talking
     • "Hot Seat" Vocab
   • Keep Vocab Notebook
     • Note different ways the same concept is said or new ways of presenting info
   • Keep Grammar Notebook
     • Look for how ideas are presented in different registers, rhythms, & combination of words
   • Monitor Use of Own's
     • aware of how English is used
   • Love the Language
     • Analyze why use certain words & ask Qs
   • Work on using picture or wordless stories
     • help because there is no worry about going between 2 languages

2. Presenting a Clear Vocal Message

   • understanding & recognizing components that make up ability to speak to better control output of English message
     • analyzed voice & adjust for better sound
     • 2 Principal factors: Verbal (words spoken) & vocal (rate, volume, inflection)
       • Avoid Fillers
       • Use Pauses Correctly
       • Regional Pronunciation

3. Improving Presentation Skills

   • Be Well Prepared: know topic ahead, research relevant info, aware of special vocab, obtain copy
   • Handle Errors: don't dwell, it distracts
   • Take Deep Breaths: Calming effect
   • Avoid Negativity: POSITIVE THOUGHTS!!
   • Picture Success: having the right attitude, imagine doing good job
   • No Apologies: will not make it go away, only time is when error cannot be corrected

4. Skill Development

   • Always Improve, On-going Cycle, Step 2 learn most from

5. Personality Traits & Skill Development

   • personality can affect ability to do job
     • Internalizer: feel can control their own actions
       • can control ability to improve skills themselves
       • find info by attending workshops & reading
     • Externalizers: believe others control their lives
       • depend on others for guidance
       • need hands-on mentor (able to do follow up & feedback on needed improvement)
   • GOALS!!!

6. Practicing

   • Must think about discourse: reflect on material and how it can best be interpreted
   • HELPFUL: understand why certain techniques are effective or not by listening to other interpreters, also repetition

7. Creating Goals/ Prioritizing Goals

   • Skill development require direction, goal needs to be specific & measurable
     • goal setting, time frame, written records, feedback, & guidance
   • order of importance, give lots of thought to

8. Seeking a Mentor/ Working with a Deaf Consumer

   • pair with a certified interpreter (help skill & help decide when ready to test) but need to determine length of partnership & assignment planning
     • Mentor: Listen to Mentee ability 1st! Mentee: Be open to learning & practice it!
   • Need to Understand Topic
     • Success Shared, Both Parties Prepared, Provide Outline to Interp, Discuss Outcomes Hope to Accomplish, Discuss How to Signal/ Manage Audience Interaction

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