Interpreters’ Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS July, 2006, reprinted with permission)
By Kathy MacMillan, M.L.S.
eHow: Clear Instructions on How to Do (just about) Everything
www.ehow.com
Billing itself as the “world’s most widely read how-to manual”, this massive site is a great resource for interpreters preparing for assignments. Whether you’re prepping for a job-hunting workshop, an archery class, or a macramé demonstration, you can find clear, step-by-step instructions on this site to help you understand and interpret the topic better. With hundreds of thousands of articles, it’s possible to find very specific information here; for example, a search on finding a job brings up not only general job-hunting resources, but articles on topics like finding a job while in college, looking for work abroad, and job-hunting for teens. Founded in 1999, eHow features staff-written and reviewed articles supplemented by user tips, and its newest feature, wikiHow, allows users to submit and edit their own articles in a separate collaborative workspace. With easy access through keyword search or browsable categories, this site should be the first step in any search for easy-to-follow instructions.
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.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Science/Mathematics Sign Lexicon
Interpreter’s Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS September, 2006, reprinted with permission)
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Science/Mathematics Sign Lexicon
http://www.rit.edu/~comets/pages/lexicon/
In response to many requests for technical sign information for terms used in science and mathematics, the Clearinghouse on Mathematics, Engineering, Technology, and Science created this useful and extensive lexicon. Though it is admittedly a work in progress – evaluation of the appropriateness of the signs in certain settings is still underway, for example – the site is a treasure trove for an interpreter looking to expand his or her technical vocabulary. An alphabetical index appears at the top of each page, allowing searchers to jump to an individual letter list. Terms are arranged alphabetically, and each term appears in a chart with columns for sources, notes, and signs. Clicking on “Sources” opens a separate window listing published sources which include illustrations of the sign. “Notes” is not in use yet – presumably these will be added as appropriateness information is gathered. The most useful column for interpreters will be “Sign”, which shows “FS” for terms most appropriately fingerspelled, or a link to a short Quicktime movie demonstrating the sign. The movies are clear and easy to load, and, though many of the signs (such as NEUTRON and LOGARITHM ) are initialized in the fashion of so many technical signs, many more (such as ENDANGERED and WEIGHTLESS) are conceptually appropriate signs that may not occur to non-native signers. From ABSCESS to ZYGOTE, this site should be on the favorites list of any interpreter working in the areas of science and math.
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.
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Science/Mathematics Sign Lexicon
http://www.rit.edu/~comets/pages/lexicon/
In response to many requests for technical sign information for terms used in science and mathematics, the Clearinghouse on Mathematics, Engineering, Technology, and Science created this useful and extensive lexicon. Though it is admittedly a work in progress – evaluation of the appropriateness of the signs in certain settings is still underway, for example – the site is a treasure trove for an interpreter looking to expand his or her technical vocabulary. An alphabetical index appears at the top of each page, allowing searchers to jump to an individual letter list. Terms are arranged alphabetically, and each term appears in a chart with columns for sources, notes, and signs. Clicking on “Sources” opens a separate window listing published sources which include illustrations of the sign. “Notes” is not in use yet – presumably these will be added as appropriateness information is gathered. The most useful column for interpreters will be “Sign”, which shows “FS” for terms most appropriately fingerspelled, or a link to a short Quicktime movie demonstrating the sign. The movies are clear and easy to load, and, though many of the signs (such as NEUTRON and LOGARITHM ) are initialized in the fashion of so many technical signs, many more (such as ENDANGERED and WEIGHTLESS) are conceptually appropriate signs that may not occur to non-native signers. From ABSCESS to ZYGOTE, this site should be on the favorites list of any interpreter working in the areas of science and math.
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.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Vocabulary Builders in Sign Language: Computers
Interpreter’s Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS October, 2006, reprinted with permission)
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Vocabulary Builders in Sign Language: Computers. Produced by Disability Support Services of Jacksonville State University in conjunction with the Captioned Media Program. Available for free loan through the Captioned Media Program (www.cfv.org)
30 minutes.
Perfect for new interpreters or seasoned interpreters who want to hone their specialized vocabulary, this videotape demonstrates nearly 200 signs for computer terminology. Walter Ripley, a high school math and computer teacher at the Alabama School for the Deaf, demonstrates the signs, and closes with a brief biography describing his qualifications. For each term, the sign is shown twice, along with a voiceover and the English word on the screen. The signs shown here are extremely conceptual, and are likely to give even veteran interpreters food for thought. Though some terms are fingerspelled or abbreviated, others, such as CACHE and COPYRIGHT, are shown with a bit more expansion. Any interpreter who works in technological settings is sure to find something here to improve his or her craft.
This video is one of many in the Vocabulary Builders in Sign Language series, which also includes volumes covering Math, Science, English, Psychology, and American History and Government. Each video features a deaf professional demonstrating commonly-accepted signs in his or her area of expertise, and often shows multiple signs or combinations of signs for each English term. Other volumes in the series are also available for free loan through the Captioned Media Program (www.cfv.org).
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.
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Vocabulary Builders in Sign Language: Computers. Produced by Disability Support Services of Jacksonville State University in conjunction with the Captioned Media Program. Available for free loan through the Captioned Media Program (www.cfv.org)
30 minutes.
Perfect for new interpreters or seasoned interpreters who want to hone their specialized vocabulary, this videotape demonstrates nearly 200 signs for computer terminology. Walter Ripley, a high school math and computer teacher at the Alabama School for the Deaf, demonstrates the signs, and closes with a brief biography describing his qualifications. For each term, the sign is shown twice, along with a voiceover and the English word on the screen. The signs shown here are extremely conceptual, and are likely to give even veteran interpreters food for thought. Though some terms are fingerspelled or abbreviated, others, such as CACHE and COPYRIGHT, are shown with a bit more expansion. Any interpreter who works in technological settings is sure to find something here to improve his or her craft.
This video is one of many in the Vocabulary Builders in Sign Language series, which also includes volumes covering Math, Science, English, Psychology, and American History and Government. Each video features a deaf professional demonstrating commonly-accepted signs in his or her area of expertise, and often shows multiple signs or combinations of signs for each English term. Other volumes in the series are also available for free loan through the Captioned Media Program (www.cfv.org).
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.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Acronym Finder
Interpreter’s Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS January, 2006, reprinted with permission)
By Kathy MacMillan, M.L.S.
Acronym Finder
www.acronymfinder.com
For interpreters working in technical, medical, and military settings, acronyms can be a H/A – that’s “headache” for acronym users, and this well-organized website is a handy resource for figuring our what all those letters mean. Users can search for an exact acronym, for an acronym beginning with specific letters, or can do a reverse lookup by inputting words to find acronyms containing them. The results are broad (“RID” yields 32 results, ranging from “Robots in Disguise” to “Radioimmunodiffusion” to our own organization), but users can sort results to show certain categories, such as technology, military, or medical acronyms first. Most hits also link to more information at other websites, making this the ideal jumping-off point for an interpreter researching terminology for assignments. The handy “side-search” feature allows users to open the search box in a side frame, then go to other websites in the main frame. With over 2,444,000 entries, this user-friendly resource will make handling acronyms and abbreviations EAP. (You’ll have to go look that one up!)
By Kathy MacMillan, M.L.S.
Acronym Finder
www.acronymfinder.com
For interpreters working in technical, medical, and military settings, acronyms can be a H/A – that’s “headache” for acronym users, and this well-organized website is a handy resource for figuring our what all those letters mean. Users can search for an exact acronym, for an acronym beginning with specific letters, or can do a reverse lookup by inputting words to find acronyms containing them. The results are broad (“RID” yields 32 results, ranging from “Robots in Disguise” to “Radioimmunodiffusion” to our own organization), but users can sort results to show certain categories, such as technology, military, or medical acronyms first. Most hits also link to more information at other websites, making this the ideal jumping-off point for an interpreter researching terminology for assignments. The handy “side-search” feature allows users to open the search box in a side frame, then go to other websites in the main frame. With over 2,444,000 entries, this user-friendly resource will make handling acronyms and abbreviations EAP. (You’ll have to go look that one up!)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Medical Terminology Demystified
Interpreter’s Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS November, 2006, reprinted with permission)
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Medical Terminology Demystified: A Self-teaching Guide. By Dr. Dale Layman. McGraw-Hill, 2006. ISBN 0-07-146104-3. $19.95.
We all know how hard it is to interpret when you don’t even understand what’s being said in the source language…and medical terminology provides some of the most challenging source language interpreters face. This self-paced guide goes far beyond your basic medical dictionary by providing background information, context, and history, all in an entertaining, easy-to-read format. Information is divided logically; the first section details “The Foundations of Medical Terminology” with a broad introduction to the basics, and then later sections delve into the specifics of cells, bones and muscles, respiration and circulation, and other body systems. This, along with the comprehensive index, allows an interpreter to use the book as a solid grounding in general medical terminology, or as a ready reference for a particular subject area. Terms are introduced in context, each accompanied by a pronunciation guide and broken down by meaning for better memory retention. “Case histories” demonstrate the practical use of the terms, ensuring better understanding for the reader, and notable names in medicine (such as Hippocrates, Florence Nightingale, and Shen Nung, the “founder of pharmacology”) are presented along with their notable accomplishments. A helpful summary table at the end of each chapter breaks down key terms by prefix, root, and suffix. The book also features a multiple-choice quiz at the end of each chapter, a test at the end of each section, and a final exam at the end of the book. Though the illustrations are frankly amateurish, and the author’s elaborate “Memory Pillbox” system is of debatable use, Medical Terminology Demystified will assist interpreters working in the medical setting in learning new terminology, gaining confidence in the terms they think they know, and providing more conceptually accurate interpretation for deaf consumers.
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.
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Medical Terminology Demystified: A Self-teaching Guide. By Dr. Dale Layman. McGraw-Hill, 2006. ISBN 0-07-146104-3. $19.95.
We all know how hard it is to interpret when you don’t even understand what’s being said in the source language…and medical terminology provides some of the most challenging source language interpreters face. This self-paced guide goes far beyond your basic medical dictionary by providing background information, context, and history, all in an entertaining, easy-to-read format. Information is divided logically; the first section details “The Foundations of Medical Terminology” with a broad introduction to the basics, and then later sections delve into the specifics of cells, bones and muscles, respiration and circulation, and other body systems. This, along with the comprehensive index, allows an interpreter to use the book as a solid grounding in general medical terminology, or as a ready reference for a particular subject area. Terms are introduced in context, each accompanied by a pronunciation guide and broken down by meaning for better memory retention. “Case histories” demonstrate the practical use of the terms, ensuring better understanding for the reader, and notable names in medicine (such as Hippocrates, Florence Nightingale, and Shen Nung, the “founder of pharmacology”) are presented along with their notable accomplishments. A helpful summary table at the end of each chapter breaks down key terms by prefix, root, and suffix. The book also features a multiple-choice quiz at the end of each chapter, a test at the end of each section, and a final exam at the end of the book. Though the illustrations are frankly amateurish, and the author’s elaborate “Memory Pillbox” system is of debatable use, Medical Terminology Demystified will assist interpreters working in the medical setting in learning new terminology, gaining confidence in the terms they think they know, and providing more conceptually accurate interpretation for deaf consumers.
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.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Register: Comparing ASL and English
Interpreter’s Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS December, 2006, reprinted with permission)
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Register: Comparing ASL and English. CD-Rom or streaming download. 3 hours. Signs of Development, LLC. 2003. $35.85. (www.signs-of-development.org). Also available for free loan through the Described and Captioned Media Program (www.cfv.org)
Effective use of register in interpreting is one of those concepts that takes a few minutes to understand and a lifetime to put into practice. This clearly organized, easy to navigate “WWWorkshop” features deaf ASLTA Professional Tom Riggs, who explores frozen, formal, consultative, informal, and intimate registers. Of more immediate use to interpreters, he also provides detailed examples and comparisons of the features of each register in both ASL and English. Having provided the theoretical framework for understanding register, this program then allows the viewer to put the theory into practice by identifying the features of each register in presentations given by both hearing and deaf presenters, giving the same information, but in different registers each time. Not only does this help viewers identify the features, but it also provides excellent source material for practicing interpreting various registers from ASL to English and from English to ASL. A nuanced understanding of register is a vital part of any interpreter’s professional toolkit, and this presentation will provide something useful for students, new interpreters, and veterans alike. In addition, 0.3 CEUS may be earned upon completion of the workshop, all collateral activities, and the payment of a processing fee.
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.
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Register: Comparing ASL and English. CD-Rom or streaming download. 3 hours. Signs of Development, LLC. 2003. $35.85. (www.signs-of-development.org). Also available for free loan through the Described and Captioned Media Program (www.cfv.org)
Effective use of register in interpreting is one of those concepts that takes a few minutes to understand and a lifetime to put into practice. This clearly organized, easy to navigate “WWWorkshop” features deaf ASLTA Professional Tom Riggs, who explores frozen, formal, consultative, informal, and intimate registers. Of more immediate use to interpreters, he also provides detailed examples and comparisons of the features of each register in both ASL and English. Having provided the theoretical framework for understanding register, this program then allows the viewer to put the theory into practice by identifying the features of each register in presentations given by both hearing and deaf presenters, giving the same information, but in different registers each time. Not only does this help viewers identify the features, but it also provides excellent source material for practicing interpreting various registers from ASL to English and from English to ASL. A nuanced understanding of register is a vital part of any interpreter’s professional toolkit, and this presentation will provide something useful for students, new interpreters, and veterans alike. In addition, 0.3 CEUS may be earned upon completion of the workshop, all collateral activities, and the payment of a processing fee.
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.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Information on Sexual Harassment
Interpreter’s Resource Shelf (appeared in RID VIEWS January, 2007, reprinted with permission)
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Information on Sexual Harassment
http://www.de2.psu.edu/harassment/
Originally created in 1995 by Professor Nancy Wyatt as a supplement to a course on gender and communication, this must-click resource offers extensive information on every conceivable aspect of sexual harassment. From the legal definitions of terms like “quid pro quo harassment” and “hostile work environment”, to an overview of how the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) works, to summaries of important court cases, this site makes the legalese comprehensible. The scope of the site is most impressive; the issue is presented from a variety of perspectives. Victims of sexual harassment will find guides for reporting and documenting the behavior, as well as contact information for relevant state agencies. Those accused of sexual harassment will find an overview of the complaint process and steps for defending themselves. Managers and supervisors will find a variety of resources for creating and enforcing sexual harassment policies and arranging training for employees. And those with a more theoretical bent will find pages of psychological theories attempting to explain the phenomenon and a history of sexual harassment legislation. There’s even a discussion of international perspectives on the issue. Extensive links to outside sites and an annotated bibliography provide fuel for further research. Whether you are a victim of sexual harassment, have been accused of it, are interpreting a meeting about it, or developing policies about it, this website is a fast, user-friendly way to begin.
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.
Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Information on Sexual Harassment
http://www.de2.psu.edu/harassment/
Originally created in 1995 by Professor Nancy Wyatt as a supplement to a course on gender and communication, this must-click resource offers extensive information on every conceivable aspect of sexual harassment. From the legal definitions of terms like “quid pro quo harassment” and “hostile work environment”, to an overview of how the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) works, to summaries of important court cases, this site makes the legalese comprehensible. The scope of the site is most impressive; the issue is presented from a variety of perspectives. Victims of sexual harassment will find guides for reporting and documenting the behavior, as well as contact information for relevant state agencies. Those accused of sexual harassment will find an overview of the complaint process and steps for defending themselves. Managers and supervisors will find a variety of resources for creating and enforcing sexual harassment policies and arranging training for employees. And those with a more theoretical bent will find pages of psychological theories attempting to explain the phenomenon and a history of sexual harassment legislation. There’s even a discussion of international perspectives on the issue. Extensive links to outside sites and an annotated bibliography provide fuel for further research. Whether you are a victim of sexual harassment, have been accused of it, are interpreting a meeting about it, or developing policies about it, this website is a fast, user-friendly way to begin.
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.
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