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Let's "Hear It" for Deaf Awareness Week!

Right now it's Deaf Awareness Week, also called International Week of the Deaf: September 21-28. And there is so much to know and learn.

Here's a random example: how widely used is American Sign Language here in the U.S.? It's actually a controversial subject.

And then there are the progressive victories, like the recent decision in Massachusetts to allow the Deaf to sit on juries in trials (long overdue) with the help of interpreters.

And the growing interest in sign language summer camps, like this one in Oklahoma City.

And many amazing books on the Deaf community or sign language: try the one reviewed below in "Book of the Week": Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language.

Download a Code of Ethics for Community Interpreters

Here in the U.S. we are fortunate enough to have a national code of ethics and national standards for interpreters in healthcare. They were developed by National Council on Interpreting in Health Care.

Canada has national standards of practice for community interpreting services developed by Healthcare Interpreting Network in collaboration with national partners.

But what about interpreting in schools and social services? What about all the countries with no national ethics or standards at all?

Here is a free document, of which I am one of five authors. Called Ethics and Standards for The Community Interpreter®: An International Training Tool, it is 30 pages of simple, plain guidance by the authors of the only international textbook for community interpreting. Specific real-life examples are taken from medical, educational, social services and legal settings. Enjoy!

September 25, 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

Let's "Hear It" for Deaf Awareness Week!

Download a Code of Ethics for Community Interpreters

Book(s) of the Week

On the Calendar

"Speak American"--Which Language Is That?

CCC Corner

Culture & Language Press

QUICK LINKS

CCC News and Events

The Voice of Love

Intersect Back Issues

CONTACT US

Address:
Cross-Cultural Communications
10015 Old Columbia Road
Suite B-215
Columbia, MD 21046

Phone: 410.312.5599

Email: Click here

BOOK(S) OF THE WEEK

Where Everyone Spoke Sign Language

Nora Ellen Groce

Harvard University Press, 1985

Who knew? For nearly 300 years Martha's Vineyards, now the famous vacation playground of U.S. presidents, was bilingual for English and a local sign language!

That's right: due to a high degree of hereditary deafness, those who could hear learned sign language simply to communicate with neighbors. Here is the closing passage of the book:

The most striking fact about these deaf men and women is that they were not handicapped because no one perceived their deafness as a handicap. As one woman said to me, 'You know, we didn't think anything special about them. They were just like anyone else. When you think about it, the Island was an awfully nice place to live.' Indeed it was.

Readable and fun, this is a book that "sticks" and resonates. It is widely available in bookstores and online.

ON THE CALENDAR

Learn the "10 Habits of Highly Successful Translators and Interpreters"

Judy Jenner might be a household name for you. If not, you can still come to San Francisco on October 3 for her workshop. It is hosted by the Northern California Translators Association. Learn practical tips about how to make money as a translator and/or interpreter.

And you won't be bored! Find out more and sign up for a lively day with Judy Jenner.

Workshop Seeks ASL Interpreters!

Christiana Care Health System in Delaware is delighted that more than 100 interpreters have signed up for their next event in their series of Grand Rounds, on October 1.

But the hospital is particularly keen to see more signup from ASL interpreters in the mid-Atlantic, especially Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

And what a day! Hospital-based ethical dilemmas, note-taking skills, Spanish regional variations for healthcare interpreting and more. (Disclaimer: the author of this newsletter will be speaking at this event about mediation and advocacy.)

California Federation of Interpreters Annual Conference

Join CFI on October 9-11 in Oakland, California for the largest annual gathering of court interpreters in the United States.

"Speak American"--Which Language Is That?

We received two responses to the article two weeks ago about former Vice-Presidential candidate/Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who scolded us all to "Speak American."

Both these messages mentioned that "speaking American" should not imply speaking English.

So true! An interpreter in California, Suzanna Reiss-Koncar, asks:

I wonder which American Sarah Palin was referring to. Zapoteco, Paiute, Athabaskan? Inuit [Inuktitut] from her own home state? Maybe Guarani or one of the 200 languages spoken in Guatemala?

Gary Hanes adds:

There were and are aboriginal languages in use in America that we must not forget about. Native Americans would bristle at being thought of as being part of a nation of immigrants. If I were asked what language I'd choose as "American", I'd choose the language of the Nez Perce. It has always landed sweetly on my ear and is a beautiful language.

CCC CORNER

Sign up, Sign Up, for The Community Interpreter®!

Our next session of our star program, The Community Interpreter® is just around the corner, and it's the brand new edition. With the best (and only) textbook in the world--published just this summer.

Held in Columbia, Maryland, on October 16, 17, 23, 24 and 31 (two Fridays and three Saturdays), this program is the most influential training of its kind, presented across the United States and in other countries--yet born right here in Maryland.

The deadline for registration is coming up--October 2. Check out details online or in the training calendar. Don't miss it!

Learn Legal Interpreting in Community Settings

Legal interpreting can be tricky, even outside the courtroom. Applying the ethics, standards, protocols and skills in community settings is often a challenge.

If you perform attorney-client interviews or interpret for worker's compensation, Special Education and school board hearings, domestic violence, sight translation of consent forms and other signed documents, attend The Language of Justice.

This unique three-day program will be held on October 26-28, led by three superbly qualified trainers.

CULTURE & LANGUAGE PRESS

For a LOOK INSIDE all our publications visit our sister website: thecommunityinterpreter.com and go to Books and Products.

For more information about Cross-Cultural Communications, please go to our website at: www.cultureandlanguage.net

For more information about The Community Interpreter®, please go to our website at: www.thecommunityinterpreter.com

Sincerely,

Marjory A. Bancroft

Marjory A. Bancroft, Director

Cross-Cultural Communications, LLC

10015 Old Columbia Road, Suite B-215

Columbia, MD 21046

Phone: 410.312.5599, Fax: 410.750.0332

www.cultureandlanguage.net