How do you sign...

Anij said:
"Occult" is such a vague term (properly defined .. it just means a knowing of something that is "hidden" or "secret" ... it isn't a "bad thing", it's just something that isn't "in plain sight" )
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I know the dictionary definition. I also know the direction that the pastor will be using it in, which is the negative connotation, with the biblical admonitions to avoid it.

(I'm a former theology student)
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I remember. (Good to inform AD newbies, though.) :)

In a religious setting I'd stay with fingerspelling it - I know that's not especially helpful.
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With a new term being introduced, I usually prefer to spell and then sign but in this case there really is no one sign that fits. Also, not everyone knows the meaning of O-C-C-U-L-T. I'm hoping that when the topic comes up, the pastor will introduce the topic (terp will spell it) and then he will go on to describe what it entails. Then, I let his description fill in the explanation.

Still, it doesn't hurt to ask, right? :giggle:

I'm always wiling to learn more signs.
 
Reba said:
I know the dictionary definition. I also know the direction that the pastor will be using it in, which is the negative connotation, with the biblical admonitions to avoid it.


I remember. (Good to inform AD newbies, though.) :)


With a new term being introduced, I usually prefer to spell and then sign but in this case there really is no one sign that fits. Also, not everyone knows the meaning of O-C-C-U-L-T. I'm hoping that when the topic comes up, the pastor will introduce the topic (terp will spell it) and then he will go on to describe what it entails. Then, I let his description fill in the explanation.

Still, it doesn't hurt to ask, right? :giggle:

I'm always willing to learn more signs.
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What about something along the lines of "outside mainstream belief" ... that's still technically accurate and would fit the context without allowing the preacher to distort the actual meaning of "occult" (some try to make it sound as if it's "the work of the devil" etc which isn't actually true). Then additional clarification could be added with "Tonight, in this situation we are using the term "occult" to mean .... " (That way you're interpreting the true unbiased meaning, as well as stating what the preacher is deciding to use it to mean in that specific situation)
 
Anij said:
What about something along the lines of "outside mainstream belief" ...
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I think that's too broad.

that's still technically accurate and would fit the context without allowing the preacher to distort the actual meaning of "occult" (some try to make it sound as if it's "the work of the devil" etc which isn't actually true).
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Let's not get into a religious debate here. :)

Then additional clarification could be added with "Tonight, in this situation we are using the term "occult" to mean .... " (That way you're interpreting the true unbiased meaning, as well as stating what the preacher is deciding to use it to mean in that specific situation)
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That sounds like editorializing to me. I prefer to let the speaker speak for himself as to what he means. That's the whole point of preachers, teachers, lecturers speaking, right? The terp interprets their perspectives and meanings. It's not up to the terp to decide what is the "true unbiased meaning" or to state what the preacher is deciding to do. The preacher can speak for himself.

If the hearing audience isn't getting side input, then the deaf audience shouldn't either (I'm not talking about expansion; that's different). Even if the hearing presenter is biased, the deaf audience should be exposed to that bias in the same way the hearing audience is. The interpreter isn't there to protect the deaf audience from exposure to different viewpoints.

Whether or not I (in the terp role) agree with the presenter shouldn't color my interpretation.

If there's not a commonly accepted sign for occult, that's OK. I was just curious about that. When it was mentioned as a future topic, another terp and I were discussing it (along with other potential terms that might pop up). As a team, we do that in order to be consistent with sign choices, as much as possible.

So, I will spell the word, and then let the preacher explain it to everyone present. :)
 
Reba said:
I think that's too broad.
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Unfortunately the correct definition of occult IS very very broad. It's also very prone to be incorrectly defined many situations. (meaning inaccurate connotations and presumptions applied, which aren't actually part of the proper technical definition)

Let's not get into a religious debate here. :)
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It wasn't meant to be a debate statement, but a statement of fact. As a theology student it was an issue we frequently had to address - the applying of "bias" to terms that occur text that may or may not actually be contextually accurate at the time the text was written. (ie just because a present day preacher "says it's so", doesn't actually make it so, it does however makes it their interpretation)

If there's not a commonly accepted sign for occult, that's OK. I was just curious about that. When it was mentioned as a future topic, another terp and I were discussing it (along with other potential terms that might pop up). As a team, we do that in order to be consistent with sign choices, as much as possible.
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So, I will spell the word, and then let the preacher explain it to everyone present. :)
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Spelling it out is the best option - it's what I've always seen done. If you have time to speak to the preacher ahead of time you could ask that provide a definition when they first mention the term (good for hearing and Deaf since then everyone's on the same page with what he/she means)
 
Anij said:
Unfortunately the correct definition of occult IS very very broad. It's also very prone to be incorrectly defined many situations. (meaning inaccurate connotations and presumptions applied, which aren't actually part of the proper technical definition)
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From the Oxford Dictionary (online):
"noun
(the occult)
mystical, supernatural, or magical powers, practices, or phenomena:
a secret society to study alchemy and the occult"

There's really no such thing as inaccurate connotations to any word since connotations are added to the standard meanings and vary depending on the individual's frame of reference.

Yes, occult may have started out differently but word meanings do evolve over time.

It wasn't meant to be a debate statement, but a statement of fact. As a theology student it was an issue we frequently had to address - the applying of "bias" to terms that occur text that may or may not actually be contextually accurate at the time the text was written. (ie just because a present day preacher "says it's so", doesn't actually make it so, it does however makes it their interpretation)
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Since I never said what the preacher said about the occult (that will be next Sunday's sermon), you don't really know whether his definition is biased or based on his just saying "it's so."


Spelling it out is the best option - it's what I've always seen done. If you have time to speak to the preacher ahead of time you could ask that provide a definition when they first mention the term (good for hearing and Deaf since then everyone's on the same page with what he/she means)
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Yes, we'll spell it out and let him define it.
 
how do you sign date? 2 different contexts

1. what date is today?

2. I have a date tonight.
 
Jiro said:
how do you sign date? 2 different contexts

1. what date is today?

2. I have a date tonight.
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In my local community, they use one sign for both meanings. It's the two upright D-hands tapping twice at the fingertips. They also use it for dessert, so one has to be very careful of the context. :giggle:

Actually, DESSERT is supposed to be done with the hands in a horizontal position with the index fingers pointing forward but not everyone is careful about that.

I think the DATE (for day) is a school sign that some adults have retained.
 
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Reba said:
In my local community, they use one sign for both meanings. It's the two upright D-hands tapping twice at the fingertips. They also use it for dessert, so one has to be very careful of the context. :giggle:

Actually, DESSERT is supposed to be done with the hands in a horizontal position with the index fingers pointing forward but not everyone is careful about that.

I think the DATE (for day) is a school sign that some adults have retained.
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ah that's what I thought so. :ty:
 
:yesway:
kellycat said:
My deaf friend who is an ASL teacher teaches the "25" handshape touching the chin and turning to palm-out is "lucky", but signs "GOOD l-u-c-k". I have also seen him in a similar context sign "GOOD" and then bring his hand to a "10" shape fist with thumb up, but don't know if it was more of "okay, good, go get 'em" sort of thing than actually "good luck".
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:ty:
 
Got one I need help with.

I am trying to come up with a name sign for my dog Deacon. The one I thought of, I just want to make sure it's not something else and not something that would cause a problem.

We thought of using the sign for pretty/beautiful and closing the hand to a "D", or just using the "D" to circle the face.
 
KristinaB said:
Got one I need help with.

I am trying to come up with a name sign for my dog Deacon. The one I thought of, I just want to make sure it's not something else and not something that would cause a problem.

We thought of using the sign for pretty/beautiful and closing the hand to a "D", or just using the "D" to circle the face.
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If your dog actually was a deacon, there is a sign for that. :giggle:
 
Reba said:
If your dog actually was a deacon, there is a sign for that. :giggle:
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That sign is a little much. Think I will stick with what we thought of. I mainly wanted to make sure I wasn't making a mistake as in the case of the lady how gave her son a name sign for Brandon with the "B" of the forehead.
 
KristinaB said:
That sign is a little much. Think I will stick with what we thought of. I mainly wanted to make sure I wasn't making a mistake as in the case of the lady how gave her son a name sign for Brandon with the "B" of the forehead.
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I know what you mean. :giggle:
 
TRACTOR

I've seen various versions. I want to know what real country folk use.
 
Reba said:
TRACTOR

I've seen various versions. I want to know what real country folk use.
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Like the big wheels rolling forward?

Or maybe a city kid in a farm state doesn't count.. :D++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Bottesini said:
Like the big wheels rolling forward?
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I've seen one sign like that.

Or maybe a city kid in a farm state doesn't count.. :D++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Oh, city kids count (I'm a townie myself). I was just hoping that someone who actually used that sign in daily life would respond. :)
 
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