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!

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!

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.