Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters 2nd Edition

by Anna Mindess, Thomas K. Holcomb, Daniel Langholtz

In Reading Between the Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters, Anna Mindess provides a new perspective on a unique culture that is not widely understood-American Deaf culture. With the collaboration of three distinguished deaf consultants, Mindess explores the implications of cultural differences at the intersection of the deaf and hearing worlds. The book takes a practical approach with many useful suggestions for the sign language interpreter. Mindess provides several helpful dialogues between hearing and deaf Americans in a variety of situations to illustrate the problems that can arise as a result of cultural differences.The compounded difficulty of communicating with a deaf person from another country is addressed as well, with suggestions for ameliorating possible areas of misunderstanding. It also provides helpful information about advances in technology and the multicultural communities within the Deaf world. Reading Between the Signs is an invaluable tool for those interested in training as a sign language interpreter, but further, for anyone wishing to understand American Deaf culture..A dazzling application of the tools of intercultural communication to illuminating Deaf and hearing cultures and their differences.. This is a book for everyone interested in Deaf culture. -Harlan Lane, author of When the Mind Hears and The Mask of BenevolenceAdds a necessary dimension to understanding what sign language interpretation really entails-not the exchange of words for signs and vice versa but the translation of one view of life and all its meanings into another equally valid yet different view -William C. Stokoe, Former Professor Emeritus, Gallaudet UniversityBRAVO! The book is outstanding - well written, informative, and desperately needed in our field!.-Jan Humphrey, Ed. D. Certified Interpreter, Interpreter Educator and Author of So You Want to Be an Interpreter?A must-read! An enlightening book.a defining document in the literature of Deaf culture. -Eileen Forestal, Professor, ASL Studies and Interpreting Training, Union County CollegeContentsForeword by Sharon Neumann SolowPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart Background1 Introduction2 The Study of Culture3 Selected Topics in Intercultural Communication4 Do Americans Really Have a Culture?5 American Deaf Culture6 Multicultural Deaf Culture7 Culture, Change, and TechnologyPart Practical Applications8 The Impact of Cultural Differences on Interpreting Situations9 Multicultural Interpreting Challenges10 The Interpreter's Role and Responsibilities11 Techniques for Cultural Adjustments12 Interpreting in a Virtual World13 Cultural Sensitivity Shouldn't End at Five O'ClockAfterword by Dr. Thomas K. HolcombBibliographyAbout the Author and ContributorsIndex

Genres: Nonfiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published June 8, 2006

About the author

I have worked as a sign language interpreter for more than 30 years and now specialize in legal interpreting.

My interest in culture goes way back. I've always found myself gravitating to a voice with a foreign accent to gain some perspective on my world by looking at it through other eyes.

I began learning ASL at CSUN when I was an actress in Los Angeles, after I saw a theater production with expressive Deaf actors. I quickly fell in love with the visual language and noticed what seemed like alternate ways that Deaf people approached things.

It was not until I discovered the field of Intercultural Communication in graduate school that everything clicked. I realized that a cultural perspective could explain so much about the interactions I witnessed and later interpreted for between Deaf and hearing people.

After immersing myself in the study of culture and writing about it as it applied to interpreters, I broadened my explorations to include food. I write for newspapers, magazines and websites about the intersection of food and culture.

My goal is the same: to understand myself as a cultural being in the world and help others to gain this perspective.

My blog East Bay Ethnic Eats
A website I share with Thomas K. Holcomb Deaf Culture THAT

Reviews

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read the more recent edition in kindle format. I have bought and read every edition of this book I believe. This book changed my perspective on interpreting back when the first edition came out. It has influenced everything I do for my consumers ever since. If you are an ASL interpreter and have NOT read this, you should do it IMMEDIATELY

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful read. Covers many aspects of the profession & common pitfalls. Recommend to anyone.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for school. A good look at cultural norms and how they differ, and how cultural mediation is crucial to the interpreting field.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read for anyone interested in ASL and the Deaf culture. Even if you are not desiring to be an interpreter it is still applicable.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know ASL (I am hearing), but I like to learn about different cultures in the U.S. and other places in the world. This was a very thought-provoking book. It made me want to learn ASL. I don't plan to become an interpreter, but it comes across as a beautiful language, and maybe I could make myself useful here and there. The book talked about differences between Deaf culture and mainstream American culture, and had a chapter on multiculturalism. There was a fleeting mention of Deaf Gay culture, but there was no follow-up to that, and I would have liked to have known more.

Recommended for interpreters, certainly, and for those hearing and Deaf folks interested in learning about other cultures in the U.S.

[Gen]

Is very informative for interpreters so far.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Required school reading, but still enjoyable.

[Mesia Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I've loved it. It's not only about Deaf culture and it's affects on the Interpreting business, but also culture in general and it's affects on communication. I would highly recommend it.

[Meg Mcauliffe]

Great resource for interpreters.