Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

by Anna Mindess, Thomas K. Holcomb, Daniel Langholtz

Designed to help sign language interpreters and anyone interested in Deaf culture, this book investigates the cultural differences present between the Deaf and hearing worlds. Mindness, a professional sign language interpreter, begins with a general discussion of intercultural communication, with specific examinations of American culture and Deaf culture, focusing especially on their dissimilarities. Later chapters provide techniques for cultural adjustments in interpreting situations, and explore the relationship of the interpreter to the Deaf community. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

259 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1999

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

[Dallin Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a (self-proclaimed) budding interpreter and sign language enthusiast, this was an incredibly insightful book to learn about the different aspects of a culture. I find it very interesting the way Anna Mindess compared and contrasted the different aspects of different cultures and the way the operate and function with others. I feel I am better equipped to have interactions with members of Deaf culture, and am more conscious of the mistakes I have and those around me have made in these interactions. I will continue to study American Deaf Culture and ASL in my hopes and efforts to become an interpreter.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad introduction to the challenges interpreters face with interacting with two very different cultures (American hearing and American Deaf cultures). I didn't really learn anything that I didn't already know from my college coursework and experiences working in the field, but this book was still an interesting read. I saw that there is a second edition out there that addresses the challenges of video relay interpreting; I'm curious to see what all of the updates entail.

I read this book and prepared an extensive PowerPoint presentation on this book as part of my work in creating professional development opportunities for my school district's interpreters.