Page 11 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

x Reading Between the Signs

later, grammatical lessons. Cultural aspects were late additions to
the curriculum. It is not until very recently that the subject of
cultural influence was viewed as critical to the success of interpre-
tation. Anna Mindess’ book provides a framework for understand-
ing culture as well as specific descriptions of the important ele-
ments of mainstream American and Deaf cultures and offers sug-
gestions for dealing with those elements in our work.
Today we realize that this kind of knowledge can be the very
factor that heightens or decreases our effectiveness. My advice is
this: read these pages well, take notes, and think about the mate-
rial presented. Any confusion, disagreement, or commentary must
be taken to the profession in a public forum. Write an article or a
letter to the editor, or find some other outlet to think together. We
must dialogue to grow.
I am personally and professionally very grateful for the contri-
bution Ms. Mindess has made to the field of sign language inter-
pretation. It is a topic we are all striving to understand and ex-
plain. Within these pages is a fabulous resource.
—Sharon Neumann Solow

–FM MINDESS PMKR 10 10/18/04, 11:19 AM