Tag: Phoenix

  • July Interpreting Workshops Schedule & Registration Form

    Here’s the complete schedule & registration form for the four workshops I’m presenting in July in Phoenix, Arizona. As you will see, several other presenters are offering multiple workshops as well, and it promises to be a great month for learning. I hope to see you there!

    If you didn’t notice it before ( 🙂 ), here’s the link:
    July Workshops Flier

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  • All the details about my workshops in Phoenix this July

    Here are all the details about the workshops I am offering in July, including date, time, title, and description. I will be teaching Vague Language (VL), Genre Recognition, Oral & Sign Transliteration, and Voice Interpreting / Vocal Technique at the Desert Valley Regional Cooperative, 8055 N 24th Ave, Phoenix AZ 85021. You may register by calling 602-771-5225 or emailing Amerigo.Berdeski@asdb.az.gov. The suggested donation for each workshop is $20. Here are the four workshops in detail:

    July 6 5p-9p Vague Language— Why people use it and how to interpret it
    Participants will study and explore the use of vague language (VL) in both English and ASL, the communicative purposes and social meanings of VL, the importance of retaining ambiguity when conveying vague messages from one language to another, the benefits of leaving language vague instead of interrupting to request clarifications, and specific strategies for conveying VL in both ASL and English. At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    1. Define VL and name at least five communicative purposes that VL serves.
    2. Distinguish between language that needs to be clarified and language that is better conveyed as uttered.
    3. Have strategies for conveying VL in English and ASL without interrupting for clarification.
    4. Give a dozen examples of words, phrases, signs, classifiers, and mouth morphemes used in VL.
    July 7 5p-9p Genre Recognition
    This workshop introduces attendees to genre theory and teaches the skill of genre recognition. Attendees will be guided in the recognition of generic elements of discourse and will be empowered to enhance their predictive skills, thus increasing their self-confidence and composure while improving the accuracy and effectiveness of their interpretations. At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    1. Name five narrative genres.
    2. Name at least five elements of genre, including setting, plot, character, conflict, tone, intent, and moral.
    3. Describe the generic characteristics of at least five speech events.
    4. Identify their strengths and weaknesses in their abilities to recognize genres; know resources to strengthen weaknesses.
    July 19 5p-9p Transliteration— Put the English on your mouth and hands
    This workshop provides an overview of transliteration and teaches the skills of spoken English–to–PSE and spoken English–to–Oral transliteration. Attendees will learn the signs and mouth/body movements they need to produce when transliterating in order to convey messages in the language most readily understood by English–oriented deaf consumers. At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    1. Define transliteration as it pertains to all languages and contrast it with interpretation.
    2. Demonstrate at least three signs that may be used for the word “of” and at least two signs for the word “which.”
    3. Distinguish between active and passive voice and explain how to transliterate each grammatical form.
    4. Identify the strengths and weaknesses in their transliteration skills and where to find resources for improvement.
    July 21 5p-9p Voice Interpreting— Trippingly on the Tongue
    This is a sign–to–voice interpreting workshop with a twist. In addition to learning logistical and processing strategies for voice interpreting, participants will learn the vocal techniques that singers and actors use so that they can enliven their sign-to-voice interpreting, convey affect, and improve audibility. Participants will learn how to enunciate, maintain vocal health, and inflect for affect, and meaning. Participants who take this workshop will leave as better interpreters and speakers. At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

    1. Outline strategies that can be used before and during an ASL–to–English interpreting assignment.
    2. Demonstrate improved control of the volume and pitch of their voice.
    3. Vocalize the same phrase five different ways for meaning and affect.
    4. Use a microphone effectively, self-monitoring for volume, plosives and sibilants.
    5. Know how to relax their bodies and vocal apparatus for vocal health.

    To learn more about the workshops I offer, see my Interpreting Workshops Page.

  • Workshops I’m presenting in Phoenix in July

    I will be presenting four workshops this July in Phoenix at the Desert Valley Regional Cooperative, 8055 N 24th Ave, Phoenix AZ 85021:

    • July 6 5p-9p Vague Language
    • July 7 5p-9p Genre Recognition
    • July 19 5p-9p Transliteration
    • July 21 5p-9p Voice Interpreting

    Call 602-771-5225 or email Amerigo.Berdeski@asdb.az.gov to RSVP. Donations of $20 and up requested.

    For descriptions of these and other workshops, see my Interpreting Workshops Page.

  • Interpreting ASU Downtown Grand Opening in 2006

    Here is a sample of my platform interpreting. Had the opportunity to interpret the grand opening ceremonies of Arizona State University (ASU)’s downtown campus five years ago in Phoenix, Arizona. It took me a while to post this, but now I “have the technology,” so here it is.

  • The truth on interpreters for deaf at WordCamp Phoenix 2011

    I was “the interpreter” who offered to coordinate interpreters for WordCamp Phoenix 2011. I wish I could remain silent, but the blog post I’m responding to has been viewed almost 900 times already and has already been sanctioned by a famous deaf blogger who I believe would think otherwise if he read my side of the story. So, before anyone else is misled, allow me to set the record straight.

    I first spoke with Amanda, the conference organizer, on Thursday afternoon, January 14, and offered to interpret and coordinate. She told me the budget was $2,000 for a four–track conference which would need a maximum of eight interpreters. I figured I could get four professional interpreters to earn $50 an hour, get four students to volunteer their services pro bono, and that would still leave $400, half of which might go toward compensating me for coordinating services, and half of which might go toward gift cards for students.

    That same night, I found out that Amanda had un–registered a deaf registrant because she didn’t like her attitude. I advocated for the ousted registrant, emailing Amanda, “Deaf people routinely face discrimination and have to fight for their rights. In light of this, I find the registrant’s demands assertive rather than aggressive.” I even followed this up another day and asked Amanda if she would please consider reinstating her. Amanda was immovable.

    I should mention that the first deaf registrant had approached me around Thanksgiving about interpreting for WordCamp. I had said I would be interested and asked him to send me more information, but the holidays came and went before I saw an announcement from Amanda on the Arizona RID Yahoo Group. I knew how important it was for this deaf person to attend WordCamp, so I decided to provide for him even though I was not happy with Amanda’s handling of the other deaf registrant.

    By the end of the week, I had offers from two other professionals and at least four other students. At this point, all I needed was one more professional if (and that’s a big “if”) there were deaf attendees in all four tracks on Saturday. (more…)