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

by Anna Mindess

This helpful workbook functions as a companion and supplement to Anna Mindess's earlier book, Reading Between the 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 A Cultural Guide for Sign Language Students and Interpreters is a welcome resource.-Julie Moore, interpreter instructor at Portland (OR) Community College ContentsAcknowledgmentsI Unpacking Your Cultural BaggageII What is Culture?III The Intercultural 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

Paperback

First published November 3, 2003

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