Opening the Mind’s Eye

Interpreter’s Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS May, 2007, reprinted with permission)
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.

Opening the Mind’s Eye: How Images and Language Teach Us to See by Ian Robertson. NY: St. Martin’s Press, 2003. ISBN: 0-312-30657-1. $23.95.

Our ability to interpret effectively often depends on our ability to visualize the information we are conveying. Robertson’s fascinating look at the power of mental imagery draws from scientific and psychological research to demonstrate how our culture has elevated language above imagery, to our detriment. The imagery he discusses is not limited to visual imagery, but also includes movement, touch, smell, taste, and sound. In every case, understanding our experiences through language can help us to process them, but only at a distance. Imagery, when given full reign, can increase memory, measurably reduce illness and stress, and enhance creativity, all by keeping us in tune with the physical reality of our experience. Even the great Albert Einstein credited his great discoveries to his visualization ability. Robertson acknowledges that ASL users have been found to have much better than average spatial imagery, due to so much practice, but points out that there are many aspects to mental imagery (including vividness of mental pictures and connections between concepts), all of which can be improved with practice. Fortunately, he also provides mental exercises to improve our imagery abilities. Robertson even shows how athletes, musicians, and surgeons were found to improve their skills in their various fields simply through focused mental practice, their brains forging synaptic connections that their bodies could later call into play. (No more excuses about not having enough access to skill-building interpreting situations—we can, it seems, make our own.) Interpreters will learn valuable information here about improving memory through mental imagery, creating vivid images, and maintaining mental and physical health through imagery.

This column appears monthly in VIEWS. Please direct questions, comments, or suggestions for resources to highlight in future issues to Kathy MacMillan at info@kathymacmillan.com.