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.
Monday, April 27, 2009
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!)
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