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Sorum signs on with city to get flood message out - MinotDailyNews.com | News, sports, business, jobs - Minot Daily News
The job of a sign language interpreter is to be as unobtrusive as possible in communicating someone else's message. So MariDon Sorum isn't quite sure what to make of her sudden celebrity since she began signing for the hearing impaired at Minot's televised news conferences for flood updates.
She said she never thought she'd have strangers stop her in stores to greet her. Or have someone show surprise in hearing that, yes, she can talk. Instead of seeking autographs, people ask her to sign their names.
The interest in name signing came after Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk of the North Dakota National Guard generated chuckles at a news conference when he said he wanted to see how Sorum signed his name. Sorum spells out the general's nickname, "Spry."
Sorum credits her fame to the novelty of sign language in public. Although she would have been content without all the attention, she welcomes the limelight on sign language and the deaf community in Minot.
"It's drawing awareness that there's a population out there that really needs to know what's going on. That's what is most important," she said.
Sorum roughly estimates around 30 people are part of Minot's deaf community, although there are many more in the Minot region. She knows of at least three households with hearing-impaired adults that have been severely impacted by the flood.
The impetus for adding sign language to the news conferences was a comment by a hearing-impaired resident on a television station's Facebook page, stating that interpretation would be a good idea. The conferences aren't close captioned because they are broadcast live. The station called Sorum to see if she would be willing to help out. She agreed and contacted the mayor to offer her services. Mayor Curt Zimbelman, a long-time friend of Sorum, readily agreed.
"I think it was a good idea. We want everybody to be included," he said. "I know that those people who are unable to hear or are hearing impaired are happy for that service."
Sorum said she has received a lot of positive feedback, both from the deaf population and from national media who don't see other places offering that service. It's created an image of Minot as a progressive city, she said.
Sorum interprets using American Sign Language, which is different from sign language that translates word for word. She uses the literal translation with children, who typically learn that version first to develop their reading skills. American Sign Language puts the subject of a sentence first and drops unnecessary words (i.e., store me go).
To interpret, Sorum must determine the speaker's concept before she can translate it.
"It's very stressful physically and mentally," she said.
Normally, for extended events, two interpreters will tag team because 20 minutes is considered the standard length of time to go before taking a break. Minot's news conferences typically run at least an hour.
"It's stressful, but I thoroughly enjoy it," Sorum said.
Viewers enjoy watching her hands fly and the range of facial expressions that she uses to accent the signs. Her hearing-impaired friends let her know how she is doing with their phone texts and emails.
Often in informal conversation with friends, she refers to "Minot" by signing the words "mine" and "not." She did it at a news conference before correcting herself to spell out the city name. Afterwards, she discovered phone text from one of her friends, teasing her for using the local slang.
Sorum is the region's only certified sign language interpreter. Some of Minot's non-certified signers are capable of providing backup when Sorum isn't available or when additional signers are needed. Some are involved in the deaf ministry with Sorum at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Brethren Church. Sorum interprets two or three times a month at worship services, and the church also has Sunday night services at Somerset Court for people with hearing impairment.
To become certified about six years ago, Sorum took a written exam and tested extensively before a panel of deaf and hearing people. Now coursework is required for certification as well.
Sorum, a social worker, learned sign language at her first job out of college at the North Dakota School for the Deaf in Devils Lake. She worked in the dormitories and eventually became head of the girls' dorm. She recalled the challenges, as a hearing person new at sign language, in trying to pass on information or help with homework.
"I learned my sign language mainly from the deaf population," she said. "You are just forced into learning it. It's grown into something that I thoroughly enjoy. I just love being involved with the deaf population."
She has interpreted at community events, such as the Youth for Christ banquet or National Day of Prayer, and at private functions such as funerals and weddings. She's been called on to assist people in conducting business or visiting the doctor. In these cases, there is strict confidentiality.
Sorum, a resident of Minot for more than 20 years, is employed as aging services program administrator at North Central Human Service Center. Although her work at North Central doesn't require sign language, it comes in handy at times. Recently, a hearing-impaired couple who moved to Minot from out of state inquired into the agency's vocational services, and Sorum was called on to interpret.
Sorum said North Central has been supportive of her role in helping get out information during the flood. With news conferences sometimes called on short notice, she has had to alter her work schedule at times. She was on a job-related trip to Anamoose on Wednesday when she got a call asking her to sign for the news conference with Janet Napolitano, secretary of Homeland Security. She was able to make other arrangements in Anamoose so she could attend the conference.
"FEMA has been wonderful to work with," she said, attributing that in part to Robin Finegan, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's regional administrator in Denver. Finegan, who has spent considerable time in Minot since the flood, earned a master's in counseling for the hearing impaired from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
Sorum hopes her presence at the news conferences sparks the public's interest in learning sign language. She believes people should have a basic understanding of signing so they can engage in simple exchanges with hearing-impaired people in the community. Both Our Redeemer's and Minot State University offer classes.
The job of a sign language interpreter is to be as unobtrusive as possible in communicating someone else's message. So MariDon Sorum isn't quite sure what to make of her sudden celebrity since she began signing for the hearing impaired at Minot's televised news conferences for flood updates.
She said she never thought she'd have strangers stop her in stores to greet her. Or have someone show surprise in hearing that, yes, she can talk. Instead of seeking autographs, people ask her to sign their names.
The interest in name signing came after Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk of the North Dakota National Guard generated chuckles at a news conference when he said he wanted to see how Sorum signed his name. Sorum spells out the general's nickname, "Spry."
Sorum credits her fame to the novelty of sign language in public. Although she would have been content without all the attention, she welcomes the limelight on sign language and the deaf community in Minot.
"It's drawing awareness that there's a population out there that really needs to know what's going on. That's what is most important," she said.
Sorum roughly estimates around 30 people are part of Minot's deaf community, although there are many more in the Minot region. She knows of at least three households with hearing-impaired adults that have been severely impacted by the flood.
The impetus for adding sign language to the news conferences was a comment by a hearing-impaired resident on a television station's Facebook page, stating that interpretation would be a good idea. The conferences aren't close captioned because they are broadcast live. The station called Sorum to see if she would be willing to help out. She agreed and contacted the mayor to offer her services. Mayor Curt Zimbelman, a long-time friend of Sorum, readily agreed.
"I think it was a good idea. We want everybody to be included," he said. "I know that those people who are unable to hear or are hearing impaired are happy for that service."
Sorum said she has received a lot of positive feedback, both from the deaf population and from national media who don't see other places offering that service. It's created an image of Minot as a progressive city, she said.
Sorum interprets using American Sign Language, which is different from sign language that translates word for word. She uses the literal translation with children, who typically learn that version first to develop their reading skills. American Sign Language puts the subject of a sentence first and drops unnecessary words (i.e., store me go).
To interpret, Sorum must determine the speaker's concept before she can translate it.
"It's very stressful physically and mentally," she said.
Normally, for extended events, two interpreters will tag team because 20 minutes is considered the standard length of time to go before taking a break. Minot's news conferences typically run at least an hour.
"It's stressful, but I thoroughly enjoy it," Sorum said.
Viewers enjoy watching her hands fly and the range of facial expressions that she uses to accent the signs. Her hearing-impaired friends let her know how she is doing with their phone texts and emails.
Often in informal conversation with friends, she refers to "Minot" by signing the words "mine" and "not." She did it at a news conference before correcting herself to spell out the city name. Afterwards, she discovered phone text from one of her friends, teasing her for using the local slang.
Sorum is the region's only certified sign language interpreter. Some of Minot's non-certified signers are capable of providing backup when Sorum isn't available or when additional signers are needed. Some are involved in the deaf ministry with Sorum at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Brethren Church. Sorum interprets two or three times a month at worship services, and the church also has Sunday night services at Somerset Court for people with hearing impairment.
To become certified about six years ago, Sorum took a written exam and tested extensively before a panel of deaf and hearing people. Now coursework is required for certification as well.
Sorum, a social worker, learned sign language at her first job out of college at the North Dakota School for the Deaf in Devils Lake. She worked in the dormitories and eventually became head of the girls' dorm. She recalled the challenges, as a hearing person new at sign language, in trying to pass on information or help with homework.
"I learned my sign language mainly from the deaf population," she said. "You are just forced into learning it. It's grown into something that I thoroughly enjoy. I just love being involved with the deaf population."
She has interpreted at community events, such as the Youth for Christ banquet or National Day of Prayer, and at private functions such as funerals and weddings. She's been called on to assist people in conducting business or visiting the doctor. In these cases, there is strict confidentiality.
Sorum, a resident of Minot for more than 20 years, is employed as aging services program administrator at North Central Human Service Center. Although her work at North Central doesn't require sign language, it comes in handy at times. Recently, a hearing-impaired couple who moved to Minot from out of state inquired into the agency's vocational services, and Sorum was called on to interpret.
Sorum said North Central has been supportive of her role in helping get out information during the flood. With news conferences sometimes called on short notice, she has had to alter her work schedule at times. She was on a job-related trip to Anamoose on Wednesday when she got a call asking her to sign for the news conference with Janet Napolitano, secretary of Homeland Security. She was able to make other arrangements in Anamoose so she could attend the conference.
"FEMA has been wonderful to work with," she said, attributing that in part to Robin Finegan, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's regional administrator in Denver. Finegan, who has spent considerable time in Minot since the flood, earned a master's in counseling for the hearing impaired from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
Sorum hopes her presence at the news conferences sparks the public's interest in learning sign language. She believes people should have a basic understanding of signing so they can engage in simple exchanges with hearing-impaired people in the community. Both Our Redeemer's and Minot State University offer classes.