deafbajagal

I have heard of that as well...it is very rare that an interpreter catches 100% of everything. Same as hearing people, I guess...they don't really hear and process 100% of everything...just learned how to pick up the important parts such as at a lecture.

The level of the interpreter's skill is supposed to indicate how much s/he can pick up- the lower the level, the more things that the interpreter will miss.

Scary when we consider that many states do not consider the top-notch interpreter necessary for public schools because the lower level that the school uses for the minimal level is "good enough." I'm sorry, but my child is not going to get 60% or even 80% of her education. If my child needs an intepreter for her classes, she WILL get the RID national certified interpreter in that classroom because she deserves 100% of her education, not just "good enough." Some schools will fight me on this because they say that is a "Cadallic" request when a "Ford" request will do. I'm going to respond by saying, "Honey. I don't want a Cadallic interpreter. I want the Ferrari interpreter!"

(Sorry, Aquablue, for my off topic posting. I just couldn't resist).

Deafness

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dreamchaser

HI Rheba, I was wondering where one gets ahold of those practiced DVD's, and if the practice written test is available also?

I am curious about the written test content too. Does is focus on the liguisticts of ASL? I mean what information are they looking for... linguistic, or cultural or what?

Is it a receptive test separate and then a test where you sign, or is it combined like in a conversation? Any pre-knowledge at all would be cool to have. Of course I am doing the actual interpreting program at WOU so it is really a comprehensive program. I am sure they cover all of the basis. I am only in 213 right now, and I have pulled straight A's all of the way through. Still, I really worry that my fluency is going to be lacking. I get really frustrated when I am not understanding new term from context because my teacher is a very, very fast signer. Our books really don't cover an extreme amount of vocabulary. I use ASL pro alot and practice watching finger-spelling and other signs. I also utilize ASL university and lifeprint. I know all of the vocab that has been presented in the books, and I understand most or our DVD videos. But i have to cheat with the video sometimes and slow it down the first time through. I am just wondering if I will get past this plateu soon. I don't really know what to judge my progress or ability on. I want to work in advocacy services in the future as well as have skills good enough to interpret, because I can't imagine serving the Deaf community if I am not fluent in understanding them. I can sign better than I can recieve. Is that normal?

Etoile

Good grief, if I were only getting 60% or 80% of the message I'd take myself back to the computer industry. I know there are terps out there who do work at that level, but I find it astonishing. I usually get 90-95% of the message in a one-on-one situation. It's a little harder in VRS because people often have a bad connection, sit far away, are lit poorly, and don't know how to use the focus knob. I would say it's about 75-80% on VRS for me, but not due to MY skills. When somebody is on a VP-200 with a good connection and good lighting, etc. it's just like being in the room with them.

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About me: interpreting since 2002 * RID certified (CI/CT) * Gallaudet undergrad student since 2007 * Formerly went to Western Maryland College * Hearing loss due to scuba diving accident 2006 * Got my first hearing aids 2008 * Love to travel * Happily married for 10 years