Links Monday

Yeah, a little early today. But I was so excited to find this site at the White House.

As far as I can tell, every video has a closed caption option. Just press start so it begins to load, the click on the icon on the bottom right of the screen and click "cc on." If it turns red, you did it.

And for those who might have missed it, you can see the captioned video of his address to the school children.

I love it when our government is accessible!

Idioms Thursday

While I wait for a dreaded appointment with my dentist I decided an idiom or two about mouths and teeth could be appropriate.

give your eye teeth for something (informal) also give your eye teeth to do something (informal)
if you would give your eye teeth for something, you would very much like to have or be that thing I'd give my eye teeth for a house like that. Most women would give their eye teeth to be tall and thin like you.

(source: give eye teeth for)

I would probably sign this using one of the various signs for DESIRE, modified to show the superlative. ASL-Pro.com uses HUNGER. I have also seen THIRST and a sign that resembles someone drooling. To each your own.

take the bit in one's teeth and take the bit between the teeth
to put oneself in charge; to take charge. Someone needed to direct the project, so I took the bit in my teeth. If you want to get something done, you've got to take the bit between your teeth and get to work.

(Source: take the bit in teeth)

This I would use the sign for TAKE-OVER which I cannot currently find in any of the online dictionaries. It is produced by starting with the palms down, and hands crossed in front of you. As you pull your hands up, uncross them and close them into fists. It sorta looks like PRESIDENT but in front of you instead of at the forehead.

Hope that helps and ya'llhave a great day.

Links Tuesday

Forgive me if this is a repeat...I know I shared how to find TerpTopics on twitter (@terptopics duh) but I don't think I remembered to give you all their website.

So here it is.

The front page mostly points out they have lots of interests and little time - but as a work in progress it is a fun site to navigate.

Wander by and tell 'em Accent on Interpreting sent ya!

Links Thursday

And this time it really is a link...

You should check out this lady: Angela Petrone Stratiy. To quote her "about us" page: she "is an internationally known performer and comedian. Angela is a native signer from a Deaf family. She graduated from the Saskatchewan School for the Deaf and earned a B.A. in English from Gallaudet University and an M.Ed. in Deaf Education from Western Maryland College."

And there is much more here to learn about.

Her website is www.deafutopia.com.

Then when you finish there... Stop by this press announcement:

Gallaudet announces four finalists for President.

Idioms Tuesday

You may have noticed my schedule changed again so I lost fridays for posting hmmm.. I will have to think on how to shift. In the meantime, we will alternate Idioms, links and History on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

So now to today's idiom:

fancy footwork
1. Lit. clever and intricate dance steps. The old man was known for his fancy footwork when he was on Broadway.

2. Lit. adroit movements of the feet that help someone retain balance or move through treacherous territory. It took some fancy footwork to get down the mountain carrying the injured child.

3. Fig. a clever and intricate strategy that helps someone get out of trouble. The governor did some fancy footwork to keep from getting blamed for the scandal.

I believe in the first two instances I would modify DANCE or TIPTOE (see www.aslpro.com)

For the third definition, I expect it to be more signs like EXPLAIN, or COVER UP with the tongue wag that shows it is slimy.

For the sign COVER UP, think two CL:B hands dominant brushing palm down past the non-dominant, which is palm up. (sorry, best I can do - if you find the sign in a video let me know)

Deaf History

I have been thinking about putting deaf idioms on Tuesday, Deaf Kistory on Thursday and Links on Friday to take advantage of the Follow Friday mentality. But I didn't quite make it happen.

Instead today is History because I found a really cool item in the Library Of Congress.

Alexander Graham Bell's papers are stored digitally. This one is a hand written article, apparently not by Mr. Bell, called "The Gallaudet Controversy."

Definately a must read.

Links Tuesday!

So every so often I have the chance to team with another interpreter.

More often I have interpreters come into my office and ask how to properly team.

Here's your answer: DLR Consulting has posted a terrific article on ways to prepare for, and best expedite a teamed situation.

Give it a read. You just might find something that will make your next team assignment easier.