but as some of you are aware, this interpreter coordinator is a panda fanatic.
So I'm very excited that Suzanne Braden, Director of Pandas International, has been chosen as one of the top ten finalists for Animal Planet's Hero of the Year! All she needs to win the top honors and monetary prize (which will benefit the Pandas) is YOUR vote on Sept 14!
Why should you vote for Suzanne? Some of you may remember that in May of 2009, a horrific earthquake decimated much of the countryside of Sichuan Province. The Wolong panda reserve was at the epicenter of the quake, and almost a quarter of panda habitat was destroyed.
No one truly knows the effect on endangered wildlife, but villagers have been reporting ill and starving pandas being found in the area. Pandas International has been instrumental in providing food and medical supplies for both pandas and humans in the affected area. Currently, Pandas International is raising funds for replanting the bamboo forests destroyed in the quake; and as we all know, bamboo is the major food source for Giant Pandas and their neighbors the Red Pandas. If Suzanne Braden wins the Hero of the Year contest, the Pandas will also be winners!
Please check out the Pandas International website for more information about their work.
And please be sure to check the Animal Planet site between Sept 14 and Sept 27 to vote for Suzanne Braden as Animal Planet Hero of the Year! VOTE
September 8, 2009
August 10, 2009
The Coordinator's Weekend
Friday was a beautiful day, and after work I headed for my favorite hiking trail. I was trying to get a closeup photo of a frog, when the emergency phone rang.
Saturday was another beautiful day, and a friend and I were eating lunch down by the river, when the emergency phone rang.
Sunday evening some friends invited me to a cookout, and I had just started on the delicious bbq chicken, when the emergency phone rang.
Monday morning, I'm already late for work, and the emergency phone rings.
How does the phone know when I'm having fun or late for work? I still haven't figured that one out!
Saturday was another beautiful day, and a friend and I were eating lunch down by the river, when the emergency phone rang.
Sunday evening some friends invited me to a cookout, and I had just started on the delicious bbq chicken, when the emergency phone rang.
Monday morning, I'm already late for work, and the emergency phone rings.
How does the phone know when I'm having fun or late for work? I still haven't figured that one out!
August 5, 2009
There's a New Giant Panda!
OK, so this isn't about interpreters or coordinating, but it's way more exciting! Bai Yun, supermommy panda at the San Diego Zoo, along with studmuffin Gao Gao, are the proud parents of a new cubbie! According to the Zoo's blog, the cub arrived at 4:58 am today. This makes the fifth successful Giant Panda cub birth at San Diego Zoo, starting with Hua Mei and Mei Sheng (both now in China), and Su Lin and Zhen Zhen, the California girls.
You can watch mommy with her new baby here: San Diego Zoo Panda Cam.
You can read the birth announcement here: San Diego Zoo Giant Panda Blog.
So what do Giant Pandas have to do with interpreting? Absolutely nothing, unless you interpreters need to de-stress from an assignment. May I suggest taking a few minutes to relax with the Panda Cam!
You can watch mommy with her new baby here: San Diego Zoo Panda Cam.
You can read the birth announcement here: San Diego Zoo Giant Panda Blog.
So what do Giant Pandas have to do with interpreting? Absolutely nothing, unless you interpreters need to de-stress from an assignment. May I suggest taking a few minutes to relax with the Panda Cam!
August 4, 2009
Quiet Week So Far
Hmmmmm, maybe I shouldn't say that out loud, especially since almost all the certified interpreters are in Philly right now for the National RID interpreter conference.
One thing that never ceases to amaze me after all this time on the job here, is how terrified some hearing people become when faced with communicating with someone who is deaf. Or how some insist on talking to people they know can't hear (or maybe they don't realize that the Deaf can't hear?)
While in-depth or lengthy communication such as a visit to the doctor's office, real estate transactions, bank loans, attorney consulations, meetings, etc. generally require a qualified sign language interpreter, there is a very simple method for everyday interactions. To communicate with a person or group of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and who, say, are ordering their meal at a restaurant or are making an appointment... just use your pen and paper to write back and forth! You'd be surprised how easy it is to communicate with someone who 'speaks' a different language, if you just put a little thought, imagination and effort into it. Your place of business or organization can be 'deaf friendly' with a little bit of planning.
For more information on ways you can provide more effective communication, please contact Sarah Roberts, Effective Communication Advisor at Mid-Hudson Interpreter Service. And check out our website at www.taconicresources.net/mhis.
One thing that never ceases to amaze me after all this time on the job here, is how terrified some hearing people become when faced with communicating with someone who is deaf. Or how some insist on talking to people they know can't hear (or maybe they don't realize that the Deaf can't hear?)
While in-depth or lengthy communication such as a visit to the doctor's office, real estate transactions, bank loans, attorney consulations, meetings, etc. generally require a qualified sign language interpreter, there is a very simple method for everyday interactions. To communicate with a person or group of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and who, say, are ordering their meal at a restaurant or are making an appointment... just use your pen and paper to write back and forth! You'd be surprised how easy it is to communicate with someone who 'speaks' a different language, if you just put a little thought, imagination and effort into it. Your place of business or organization can be 'deaf friendly' with a little bit of planning.
For more information on ways you can provide more effective communication, please contact Sarah Roberts, Effective Communication Advisor at Mid-Hudson Interpreter Service. And check out our website at www.taconicresources.net/mhis.
July 28, 2009
Emergency Cell Phone
As much as I hate to be the carrier of the emergency phone, I will have to admit it has one redeeming quality; when it rings as much as it did the other day (cuz the office phone was on DND), it gets me out of those staff meetings! LOL shhhhhh.... don't tell my boss.....
July 23, 2009
Trying Something Different
Okay, so there was not much response to our interpreter blog, so let's start over. This time we're going to depend on one writer (me); and since all I know is what I do, that's what I'm going to blog about.
The first thing I want to say is that I very much appreciate working with all of you: the interpreters, the requesters, and the people of the deaf community. Most all of you have been very supportive through the years, and you have all taught me a lot (even if the only thing I learned from you was patience, still, at least I learned something!) J/K
Seriously, the interpreters in this area have been very generous with their suggestions and knowledge, and for that I am very appreciative. The general community has been for the most part great to work with, and the deaf community has given us their trust, which is highly valued.
About interpreters: I read an article on Yahoo news that made me think of those online interpreting agencies that are more frequently being used to fill jobs. In this article, which you can read here, spoken-language translators are being sent to the front lines of the war in Afganistan, often without being told of their destination. The military is depending on these translators for vital communication, but the people being sent are totally unsuited for the assignment, including being translators of the wrong language.
I know this happens all too frequently with sign language interpreting. The deaf and hearing consumers depend on the sign language interpreter for effective communication, but often the person who shows up is not qualified, or is qualified but is not a correct match. It happens even when the agency is well intentioned and striving to do the best possible job. When you are dealing with a local agency, the remedy is often simple contact: let the coordinator know that you were not satisfied with a particular interpreter, and give the reasons why. If you have a preference for a specific interpreter, let the coordinator know this. And by all means, if you feel the coordinator is not doing the best job, speak up. This coordinator appreciates all feedback, both negative and positive. It's the only way I'm going to learn to do my job better.
The first thing I want to say is that I very much appreciate working with all of you: the interpreters, the requesters, and the people of the deaf community. Most all of you have been very supportive through the years, and you have all taught me a lot (even if the only thing I learned from you was patience, still, at least I learned something!) J/K
Seriously, the interpreters in this area have been very generous with their suggestions and knowledge, and for that I am very appreciative. The general community has been for the most part great to work with, and the deaf community has given us their trust, which is highly valued.
About interpreters: I read an article on Yahoo news that made me think of those online interpreting agencies that are more frequently being used to fill jobs. In this article, which you can read here, spoken-language translators are being sent to the front lines of the war in Afganistan, often without being told of their destination. The military is depending on these translators for vital communication, but the people being sent are totally unsuited for the assignment, including being translators of the wrong language.
I know this happens all too frequently with sign language interpreting. The deaf and hearing consumers depend on the sign language interpreter for effective communication, but often the person who shows up is not qualified, or is qualified but is not a correct match. It happens even when the agency is well intentioned and striving to do the best possible job. When you are dealing with a local agency, the remedy is often simple contact: let the coordinator know that you were not satisfied with a particular interpreter, and give the reasons why. If you have a preference for a specific interpreter, let the coordinator know this. And by all means, if you feel the coordinator is not doing the best job, speak up. This coordinator appreciates all feedback, both negative and positive. It's the only way I'm going to learn to do my job better.
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