Resources for Interpreting Interaction

Interpreter Education is increasingly recognizing the importance of focusing on interactive discourse to prepare new interpreters for what they will actually face in their work. To assist these efforts, Digiterp Communications is creating innovative new resources that allow interpreters (and students) to get a realistic appreciation of interactive discourse.

Part of the Internal Discussions series, two recent releases focus on medical interactions, and both have an accompanying study packet with ideas for use, as well as the opportunity for earning CEUs.

• Internal Discussions: An Appointment in Gastroenterology
• Internal Discussions: An Appointment in Cardiology

Using a pedagogical framework based on the educational philolosophy of Lev Vygotsky, these CD-ROMs provide a uniuque format which allows for preparation, interpreting in a consecutive format, viewing the original interpretation created during filming (with two camera angles as shown above), and then interpreting in a simultaneous format. For details, click on the links above.

Independent Study Packets:
Doug Bowen-Bailey, of Digiterp Communications, has developed independent study packets to accompany each of these CDs. Because of the support of the RSA Region V Interpreter Education Project at the College, of St. Catherine, these packets are available for free downloading. To get them, visit the RSA Region V Project website and follow the link to their Independent Study page.

Coming Attraction:
As part of an interpreter capacity-building grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services--Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division, Digiterp Communications is creating a CD entitled, By the Book: Interpreting an Intake at a County Jail. This uses a similar format to introduce interpreters to interpreting for a booking at a county jail. It includes the opportunity to prepare, to interpret consecutively, observe the original interpretation, and then interpret simultaneously.