Reading Between the Signs: A Cultural Guide for Sign Language Students and Interpreters

by Mindess, Anna

• ISBN13: 9781931930031
• ISBN10: 1931930031
• Edition: Workbook
• Format: Workbook
• Copyright: 2003-10-31
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Pub

Summary

This helpful workbook functions as a companion and supplement to Anna Mindess's earlier book, Reading Between the Signs: A Cultural Guide for Sign Language Interpreters, a recognized classic text for sign language interpreters and ASL students. It is arranged to correspond with the theory presented in the book and expands its focus to the relativity of politeness and the distinction between direct and indirect communication styles, both of which are important elements in comparing Deaf and mainstream cultures.Hands-on exercises allow students to better comprehend the sometimes-puzzling differences of culturally appropriate behavior. The book also helps students explore their own culture as well as the American Deaf culture in ways that reveal the differences between the two. Role play, discussion topics, and critical incidents increase first-hand understanding of the relationship between the Deaf and Hearing communities. The workbook is skillfully designed to provide various thought-provoking exercises that reinforce the topics presented in the textbook. In addition, the work-book exercises allow the reader to discover personally the power of culture in shaping our lives. Mindess has made an admirable effort to assemble and update many of the tried-and-true cultural awareness exercises from the pioneers of Intercultural Communication (ICC). She has also contributed many original activities that I have successfully used in my own ICC classes. Mindess has created a highly effective instructional tool to discover the significance of culture. As the reader completes each exercise, a small bit of enlightenment emerges. When all the bits are arranged in a mosaic, they create a self-portrait of cultural awareness. -Linda A. Siple, National Technical Institute for the Deaf This workbook is a wonderful accompaniment to an exceptionally valuable tool for teaching Deaf culture, ASL, and sign language interpreting. One might also hope for an advanced workbook in the future, as some of the subtler and more complex issues dealt so well in the original text are beyond the scope of the current workbook...the book's excellent chapter entitled 'Cultural Sensitivity Shouldn't End at Five O'Clock' should be required reading for anyone considering working with Deaf people. Reading Between the Signs Workbook: A Cultural Guide for Sign Language Students and Interpreters is a welcome resource.-Julie Moore, interpreter instructor at Portland (OR) Community College ContentsAcknowledgmentsI Introduction: Unpacking Your Cultural BaggageII What is Culture?III The Intercultural Perspective: Seeing Through Others' EyesIV Basic Distinctions in Intercultural CommunicationV Examining Your Own ValuesVI Politeness is RelativeVII Decoding Assumptions in Interpreting SituationsVIII Suggestions for Further StudiesIX Suggestions for Further StudyX Bibliography

Author Biography

Anna Mindess -- noted author, educator, consultant and trainer -- has worked as a sign language interpreter for twenty-five years. She is also a frequent presenter and lecturer throughout the United States and Europe

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction: Unpacking Your Cultural Baggage	p. 1
What Is Culture?	p. 7
The Iceberg	p. 9
Matching Values and Behavior	p. 11
Identifying Universal, Cultural, or Personal Behaviors	p. 13
The Intercultural Perspective: Seeing through Others' Eyes	p. 15
In the Mind of the Beholder	p. 17
D.I.E.: Description, Interpretation, Evaluation	p. 21
Double-Loop Thinking: Seeing Two Perspectives	p. 29
Decoding Cross-Cultural Dialogues	p. 39
Basic Distinctions in Intercultural Communication	p. 49
Collectivism/Individualism	p. 51
High-Context/Low-Context Cultures	p. 55
Past/Present/Future Orientation	p. 59
Indirect/Direct Styles of Communication	p. 61
Examining Your Own Values	p. 65
The Things We Say: Culture in Casual Expressions	p. 67
Many Communities	p. 71
How American Are You?	p. 73
Politeness Is Relative	p. 77
Your Polite Is Different from My Polite	p. 79
What's Your Limit?	p. 81
Advice Column	p. 85
Rudeness Is Relative, Too	p. 91
Decoding Assumptions in Interpreting Situations	p. 93
Translating between Direct and Indirect Styles	p. 95
Medical Appointment	p. 101
Job Interview	p. 103
Administrative Hearing	p. 107
Suggestions for Further Study	p. 109
Suggested Answers	p. 113
Bibliography	p. 125
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