But look before you leap.
It always made me laugh to thin of these two axioms together. After all, if you hesitate you are lost - which implies I should hurry and move. Yet "look before you leap" warns me to slow down and take my time.
So I guess these are as close as we Americans get to the greek philosophy of SOPHROSYNE: moderation and temperence.
I think it is a marvelous trait for interpreters to develop: the balance between acting in haste and doing nothing. After all, we have the unusual position of seeing two sides in a situation. Perhaps by finding the fine line, we can properly ally ourselves and make a potentially difficult situation diffuse and work out to eh benefit of all involved.
For example, a speaker is set to present on a stage with a large podium, two large plants on either side and no space for an interpreter except perhaps down below the stage line in the audience.
While this is obviously not an ideal situation for the interpreter or the deaf audience members, I can assure you it is not ideal for anyone sittingin the first few rows of seating. Accosting teh speaker with language implying they are disrespecting teh Deaf is not going to do anything but cause hardship and heart ache. If the interpreter, however, can appeal to the presenter's wish that all participants gain the value of the presentation, perhaps that same presenter will realize resetting the stage to allow visual access to the powerpoint for all in the front rows would be advantageous to his or her goals.
It won't always work. Sometimes people have had such bad experiences with those that demand consideration they will not listen. But if we return to respect, treat the presenter and sponsoring representatives with the respect their positions require, perhaps we can at least set the stage for the next interpreter and deaf person to experience a more equitable situation.
Just a thought.
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Thursday
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: find out what it means to me
Yeah I am still thinking about respect. It seems it is a difficult subject for many people - I mean I hear all the time how the "young people have no respect."
So what exactly is respect?
respect
verb 1. think highly of, value, regard, honour, recognize, appreciate, admire, esteem, adore, revere, reverence, look up to, defer to, venerate, set store by, have a good or high opinion of
verb 2. show consideration for, regard, notice, honour, observe, heed, attend to, pay attention to
While I do not look in my business associations to receive respect as defined in the first sense, I do expect the second one. After all, while we all wish to be adored, it is unlikely anyone besides a sopouse or a pet will deliver that sort of "respect."
However, it seems reasonable to me to expect and give consideration. It can be as simple as letting colleagues know you are running out for a soda pop and offering to do a run for the whole office. You considered your colleagues, and those who are feeling pressed for time feel a pressure release valve has just been opened. And who knows, maybe next time you feel the heat someone will bring you a cold drink to help cool you off.
It could happen.
(Collins Essential Thesaurus 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2005, 2006)
So what exactly is respect?
respect
verb 1. think highly of, value, regard, honour, recognize, appreciate, admire, esteem, adore, revere, reverence, look up to, defer to, venerate, set store by, have a good or high opinion of
verb 2. show consideration for, regard, notice, honour, observe, heed, attend to, pay attention to
While I do not look in my business associations to receive respect as defined in the first sense, I do expect the second one. After all, while we all wish to be adored, it is unlikely anyone besides a sopouse or a pet will deliver that sort of "respect."
However, it seems reasonable to me to expect and give consideration. It can be as simple as letting colleagues know you are running out for a soda pop and offering to do a run for the whole office. You considered your colleagues, and those who are feeling pressed for time feel a pressure release valve has just been opened. And who knows, maybe next time you feel the heat someone will bring you a cold drink to help cool you off.
It could happen.
(Collins Essential Thesaurus 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2005, 2006)
Wednesday
R-e-s-p-e-c-t
Find out what it means to me:
And I apologize to Sister Ree for that...
Anyway, it struck me yesterday that the key difference between the RID Code of Ethics that I grew up with, and the RID Code of Professional Conduct is the word respect.
Here is the Code I grew up with (it is out of date so the link may not last forever):
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. has set forth the following principles of ethical behavior to protect and guide interpreters and transliterators and hearing and deaf consumers. Underlying these principles is the desire to insure for all the right to communicate.
This Code of Ethics applies to all members of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. and to all certified non-members.
Interpreters/transliterators shall keep all assignment-related information strictly confidential.
Interpreters/transliterators shall render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker using language most readily understood by the person(s) whom they serve.
Interpreters/transliterators shall not counsel, advise or interject personal opinions.
Interpreters/transliterators shall accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, setting, and the consumers involved.
Interpreters/transliterators shall request compensation for services in a professional and judicious manner.
Interpreters/transliterators shall function in a manner appropriate to the situation.
Interpreters/transliterators shall strive to further knowledge and skills through participation in work-shops, professional meetings, interaction with professional colleagues, and reading of current literature in the field.
Interpreters/transliterators, by virtue of membership or certification by the RID, Inc., shall strive to maintain high professional standards in compliance with the Code of Ethics.
And here is the short form of the current Code of Professional Conduct (underline emphasis mine):
A code of professional conduct is a necessary component to any profession to maintain standards for the individuals within that profession to adhere. It brings about accountability, responsibility and trust to the individuals that the profession serves.
RID, along with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), co-authored the ethical code of conduct for interpreters. Both organizations uphold high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct for interpreters. At the core of this code of conduct are the seven tenets, which are followed by guiding principles and illustrations.
The tenets are to be viewed holistically and as a guide to complete professional behavior. When in doubt, one should refer to the explicit language of the tenet.
TENETS
Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.
Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession.
Interpreters maintain ethical business practices.
Interpreters engage in professional development.
I suppose it is like common sense - which isn't all that common. I grew up with the assumption that all people deserve respect, including me. So I respect those with whom I work. They may not do things my way, they may not sign my way. But the goal of the job is to communicate, not be right.
There is so much I could say on this subject that I suspect it will become a new series.
Today I just ask that you look over the two codes. See the differences and ponder with me: why was it necessary to remind us to be respectful of each other?
And I apologize to Sister Ree for that...
Anyway, it struck me yesterday that the key difference between the RID Code of Ethics that I grew up with, and the RID Code of Professional Conduct is the word respect.
Here is the Code I grew up with (it is out of date so the link may not last forever):
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. has set forth the following principles of ethical behavior to protect and guide interpreters and transliterators and hearing and deaf consumers. Underlying these principles is the desire to insure for all the right to communicate.
This Code of Ethics applies to all members of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. and to all certified non-members.
Interpreters/transliterators shall keep all assignment-related information strictly confidential.
Interpreters/transliterators shall render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker using language most readily understood by the person(s) whom they serve.
Interpreters/transliterators shall not counsel, advise or interject personal opinions.
Interpreters/transliterators shall accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, setting, and the consumers involved.
Interpreters/transliterators shall request compensation for services in a professional and judicious manner.
Interpreters/transliterators shall function in a manner appropriate to the situation.
Interpreters/transliterators shall strive to further knowledge and skills through participation in work-shops, professional meetings, interaction with professional colleagues, and reading of current literature in the field.
Interpreters/transliterators, by virtue of membership or certification by the RID, Inc., shall strive to maintain high professional standards in compliance with the Code of Ethics.
And here is the short form of the current Code of Professional Conduct (underline emphasis mine):
A code of professional conduct is a necessary component to any profession to maintain standards for the individuals within that profession to adhere. It brings about accountability, responsibility and trust to the individuals that the profession serves.
RID, along with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), co-authored the ethical code of conduct for interpreters. Both organizations uphold high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct for interpreters. At the core of this code of conduct are the seven tenets, which are followed by guiding principles and illustrations.
The tenets are to be viewed holistically and as a guide to complete professional behavior. When in doubt, one should refer to the explicit language of the tenet.
TENETS
Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.
Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession.
Interpreters maintain ethical business practices.
Interpreters engage in professional development.
I suppose it is like common sense - which isn't all that common. I grew up with the assumption that all people deserve respect, including me. So I respect those with whom I work. They may not do things my way, they may not sign my way. But the goal of the job is to communicate, not be right.
There is so much I could say on this subject that I suspect it will become a new series.
Today I just ask that you look over the two codes. See the differences and ponder with me: why was it necessary to remind us to be respectful of each other?
Tuesday
Idioms and Idiomatic expressions
Today I thought I would compare three idioms that reference cash - since the economy is on so many minds.
cash in (something)
- to exchange coupons or bonds for their value in money
I cashed in a large number of my savings bonds in order to get some money to buy a car.
cash in on (something)
- to make money from an opportunity
The former basketball player cashed in on his popularity to open a very successful restaurant.
cash in one`s chips
- to exchange or sell something to get some money (from the chips used in a poker game)
I decided to cash in my chips and go back to school.
As you can see, they have three very different meanings.
The first can be most easily signed as "EXCHANGE". (available at aslpro.com)
The second may be best as "OPPORTUNITY"- the way I grew up signing it. Instead of the versions most of the online dictionaries have (initialized O-P from TRY), I learned it as if grabbing something off the palm of my hand, dominant hand open to closed as it brushes past the non-dominant palm. (If you cannot find an example on line, let me know and I will post one at you-tube).
Now the third one I thought meant something different, and found this definition at the freedictionary.com
cash in one's chips - pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life.
So if the third idiom "to cash in one's chips" means to sell soemthing off, like used in poker, then I would say it would be signed the same way as the first; EXCHANGE.
However, as I recall it being used, if someone "cashed in his chips" I would think DEAD.
Just my humble opinion.
Any disagreement?
cash in (something)
- to exchange coupons or bonds for their value in money
I cashed in a large number of my savings bonds in order to get some money to buy a car.
cash in on (something)
- to make money from an opportunity
The former basketball player cashed in on his popularity to open a very successful restaurant.
cash in one`s chips
- to exchange or sell something to get some money (from the chips used in a poker game)
I decided to cash in my chips and go back to school.
As you can see, they have three very different meanings.
The first can be most easily signed as "EXCHANGE". (available at aslpro.com)
The second may be best as "OPPORTUNITY"- the way I grew up signing it. Instead of the versions most of the online dictionaries have (initialized O-P from TRY), I learned it as if grabbing something off the palm of my hand, dominant hand open to closed as it brushes past the non-dominant palm. (If you cannot find an example on line, let me know and I will post one at you-tube).
Now the third one I thought meant something different, and found this definition at the freedictionary.com
cash in one's chips - pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life.
So if the third idiom "to cash in one's chips" means to sell soemthing off, like used in poker, then I would say it would be signed the same way as the first; EXCHANGE.
However, as I recall it being used, if someone "cashed in his chips" I would think DEAD.
Just my humble opinion.
Any disagreement?
Monday
Idioms and Idiomatic expressions.
I was looking about The Idiom Connection and came across these two:
fall head over heels
- to fall down (and maybe roll over)
The little boy fell head over heels when he fell down in the park.
fall head over heels in love (with someone)
- to fall deeply in love with someone
The young man fell head over heels in love with the girl in his English class.
Perhaps it is merely where I grew up, but I seldom hear "head over heels" for anything other than love these days. Recently a sportscaster used a less polite form of "rump over tea kettle".
But as usual, what you really want is how I would sign these: The first concept I think is best conveyed with ROLL modfied to show where the person experienced the fall. (This sign is available at ASL Browser.)
The second concept is more familiar as FALL IN LOVE (Thanks to Lifeprint.com for the animated gif.)
fall head over heels
- to fall down (and maybe roll over)
The little boy fell head over heels when he fell down in the park.
fall head over heels in love (with someone)
- to fall deeply in love with someone
The young man fell head over heels in love with the girl in his English class.
Perhaps it is merely where I grew up, but I seldom hear "head over heels" for anything other than love these days. Recently a sportscaster used a less polite form of "rump over tea kettle".
But as usual, what you really want is how I would sign these: The first concept I think is best conveyed with ROLL modfied to show where the person experienced the fall. (This sign is available at ASL Browser.)
The second concept is more familiar as FALL IN LOVE (Thanks to Lifeprint.com for the animated gif.)
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