These ASL texts were filmed as part of the 2002 Educational Interpreter Institute held at the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (MSAD) in Faribault, Minnesota. Mike Cashman provided two evenings of entertainment and education. The first night was a tour of the MSAD. The second night was a presentation on Current Events. On this CD, the texts are presented in the opposite order, that is the Talk on Current Events is presented first. This is due to the fact that Mike presented in Noyes Auditorium and the setting was more conducive to quality filming and texts that could be captured and shared. However, since there was room on the CD for more texts, I decided to include as many as I could of Mike?s explanations of the history of people and places at MSAD.
Because these were live presentations directed at a specific audience, some of the context for understanding them may not be evident in the video. Writ-ten summaries have been included to provide support for comprehension and analysis. They are intentionally not presented as interpretations so they are not mistaken as the “correct” way to interpret these texts.
Mike?s talk on Current Events happened in August of 2002 and, as time passes, it will obviously become less current. However, his use of language and his engagement with his audience will offer interpreters and students of American Sign Language ample opportunity hone their skills. The selections from the tour of MSAD will continue to remain relevant for people interested in Deaf Culture and the history of Schools for the Deaf.
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