Reading Between the Signs: A Cultural Guide for Sign Language Students and Interpreters

This helpful workbook functions as a companion and supplement to Anna Mindess's earlier book, Reading Between the Signs: A Cultural Guide for Sign Language Interpreters, a recognized classic text for sign language interpreters and ASL students. It is arranged to correspond with the theory presented in the book and expands its focus to the relativity of politeness and the distinction between direct and indirect communication styles, both of which are important elements in comparing Deaf and mainstream cultures.Hands-on exercises allow students to better comprehend the sometimes-puzzling differences of culturally appropriate behavior. The book also helps students explore their own culture as well as the American Deaf culture in ways that reveal the differences between the two. Role play, discussion topics, and critical incidents increase first-hand understanding of the relationship between the Deaf and Hearing communities. The workbook is skillfully designed to provide various thought-provoking exercises that reinforce the topics presented in the textbook. In addition, the work-book exercises allow the reader to discover personally the power of culture in shaping our lives. Mindess has made an admirable effort to assemble and update many of the tried-and-true cultural awareness exercises from the pioneers of Intercultural Communication (ICC). She has also contributed many original activities that I have successfully used in my own ICC classes. Mindess has created a highly effective instructional tool to discover the significance of culture. As the reader completes each exercise, a small bit of enlightenment emerges. When all the bits are arranged in a mosaic, they create a self-portrait of cultural awareness. -Linda A. Siple, National Technical Institute for the Deaf This workbook is a wonderful accompaniment to an exceptionally valuable tool for teaching Deaf culture, ASL, and sign language interpreting. One might also hope for an advanced workbook in the future, as some of the subtler and more complex issues dealt so well in the original text are beyond the scope of the current workbook...the book's excellent chapter entitled 'Cultural Sensitivity Shouldn't End at Five O'Clock' should be required reading for anyone considering working with Deaf people. Reading Between the Signs Workbook: A Cultural Guide for Sign Language Students and Interpreters is a welcome resource.-Julie Moore, interpreter instructor at Portland (OR) Community College ContentsAcknowledgmentsI Introduction: Unpacking Your Cultural BaggageII What is Culture? III The Intercultural Perspective: Seeing Through Others' EyesIV Basic Distinctions in Intercultural CommunicationV Examining Your Own ValuesVI Politeness is RelativeVII Decoding Assumptions in Interpreting SituationsVIII Suggestions for Further StudiesIX Suggestions for Further StudyX Bibliography

Mindess has worked as a sign language interpreter in business, legal, educational, medical, and performing arts settings for 25 years. Designed as a supplement to her 1999 textbook, Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters, this workbook of exercises provides opportunities for students to interact with the material from the text and engage in a journey of self-discovery. The emphasis differs slightly from the textbook, with greater focus on developing and practicing an open-minded intercultural perspective and identifying elements of one's own cultural character. No subject index. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Anna Mindess has worked as a sign language interpreter in business, legal, educational, medical, video relay and performing arts settings for more than 25 years. A noted author, consultant and trainer, she has presented workshops on cultural issues in the U.S. and internationally. She is the author of Reading Between the Signs, the companion to this workbook, and co-creator of the DVD See What I Mean.