United States - Ethnic & Race Relations, Language & Linguistics, Communications - General & Miscellaneous, Education - Hearing Impairments, Vocational Guidance Counseling, Sign Language, Social Sciences - General & Miscellaneous, Differently Abled & Disab

Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

Name: Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters
Author: Anna Mindess
ISBN: 9781931930468

by Anna Mindess

Write a review

Overview

In Reading Between the Signs: 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. The book 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 and, more importantly, for anyone wishing to understand American Deaf culture.

About the Author, Anna Mindess

Anna Mindess has worked as a sign language interpreter in business, legal, educational, medical, video relay and performing arts settings for more than twenty-five 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 Workbook and co-creator of the DVD See What I Mean.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Library Journal

Mindess's first book helps the professional sign language interpreter provide more effective service through an understanding of deaf culture and cross-cultural communication. Mindess, herself a veteran interpreter, introduces the main concepts of intercultural communication in the first half of her work, drawing on examples from anthropology, linguistics, and related fields. She highlights differences between hearing culture and deaf culture in America that can compromise clarity in translation situations. Finally, Mindess explores the responsibilities of translators and their primary role as mediators, recognizing that American Sign Language (ASL) translators raised outside deaf culture must learn its nuances to maintain professional quality. In comparison, Melanie Metzger's more research-oriented Sign Language Interpreting: Deconstructing the Myth of Neutrality (Gallaudet Univ., 1999) reveals how interpreters influence a translation interaction. Although less academic in nature, Mindess's book is a better resource for the interpreter and is recommended for large public libraries and appropriate educational and professional settings.--Andy Wickens, Univ. of Illinois-Chicago Lib. of the Health Sciences Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

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)