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It's a profession in which you might be called on to speak for a U.S. president, help deliver a baby or study for an exam you'll never take.
Or, as Kris Follansbee did last Wednesday morning, become a whole series of students giving presentations in a Marriage and Family class at Viterbo University.
Follansbee is a sign language specialist, one of four employed by Western Wisconsin Technical College to interpret for deaf or hard-of-hearing students at all three college campuses in La Crosse.
By the time the 50-minute class ended Wednesday, she had translated for at least six students as well as comments from the professor. She was tired.
"Presentations are always hard because students are nervous and they talk very fast," Follansbee said.
To deliver information as accurately as possible, interpreters often try to be as animated as the speaker, said Sarah Olson, another sign language specialist.
Olson was at Viterbo as well Wednesday, interpreting at a Scriptures class. To prepare, she had skimmed the text that morning, and now was translating the professor's lecture.
As the professor read aloud, Olson conveyed the words with smooth gestures and facial expressions.
"Interpreting is 10 percent on the hands and 90 percent on the brain, because the brain is working hard to process information and to put it out," Olson said.
The four women primarily communicate with American Sign Language, which uses gestures and is very visual, Follansbee said. The language differs from English-type sign language because each word is not translated.
Olson, Follansbee and Connie Hudzinski received degrees from North Central Technical College in Wausau, Wis. Colleen Cudo finished her degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
But classroom work is only a portion of the women's profession.
"We wear many hats," Cudo said.
Four years ago, Follansbee was called into a hospital delivery room to interpret during a birth.
Follansbee has signed at funerals and Cudo once signed a mother's last words.
"Those are the times when being an interpreter is hard, but you do them because you know it needs to be done," Follansbee said.
And interpreters sometimes are called on to translate viewpoints or materials they do not agree with in the classroom or at some public events. Yet they cannot show bias.
"We have a code of ethics under impartiality," Olson said.
"There are times I agree or disagree, but I still need to have enthusiasm and to do my job well," Olson said.
All four said they enjoy the variety of the job.
Follansbee signed for President Bush and President Clinton when they visited the La Crosse area.
Cudo translated at a Garth Brooks concert, and received a formal thank-you from the country-western artist. It was the first time she had ever been recognized in that capacity, she said.
"There is never a boring moment," Hudzinski said.
Chanel Banks, La Crosse Tribune
Or, as Kris Follansbee did last Wednesday morning, become a whole series of students giving presentations in a Marriage and Family class at Viterbo University.
Follansbee is a sign language specialist, one of four employed by Western Wisconsin Technical College to interpret for deaf or hard-of-hearing students at all three college campuses in La Crosse.
By the time the 50-minute class ended Wednesday, she had translated for at least six students as well as comments from the professor. She was tired.
"Presentations are always hard because students are nervous and they talk very fast," Follansbee said.
To deliver information as accurately as possible, interpreters often try to be as animated as the speaker, said Sarah Olson, another sign language specialist.
Olson was at Viterbo as well Wednesday, interpreting at a Scriptures class. To prepare, she had skimmed the text that morning, and now was translating the professor's lecture.
As the professor read aloud, Olson conveyed the words with smooth gestures and facial expressions.
"Interpreting is 10 percent on the hands and 90 percent on the brain, because the brain is working hard to process information and to put it out," Olson said.
The four women primarily communicate with American Sign Language, which uses gestures and is very visual, Follansbee said. The language differs from English-type sign language because each word is not translated.
Olson, Follansbee and Connie Hudzinski received degrees from North Central Technical College in Wausau, Wis. Colleen Cudo finished her degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
But classroom work is only a portion of the women's profession.
"We wear many hats," Cudo said.
Four years ago, Follansbee was called into a hospital delivery room to interpret during a birth.
Follansbee has signed at funerals and Cudo once signed a mother's last words.
"Those are the times when being an interpreter is hard, but you do them because you know it needs to be done," Follansbee said.
And interpreters sometimes are called on to translate viewpoints or materials they do not agree with in the classroom or at some public events. Yet they cannot show bias.
"We have a code of ethics under impartiality," Olson said.
"There are times I agree or disagree, but I still need to have enthusiasm and to do my job well," Olson said.
All four said they enjoy the variety of the job.
Follansbee signed for President Bush and President Clinton when they visited the La Crosse area.
Cudo translated at a Garth Brooks concert, and received a formal thank-you from the country-western artist. It was the first time she had ever been recognized in that capacity, she said.
"There is never a boring moment," Hudzinski said.
Chanel Banks, La Crosse Tribune