Happy Halloween Fellow Terps!!!

Happy Halloween from a little terp;) This one my best friend Todd sent to me. Thanks Todd!!! Happy Halloween everyone! Have a safe and spooky weekend!

Friends Don't Let Friends Hire Bad Translators!

I suspected foul play! Thanks www.engrish.com!

"C'est le ton qui fait la musique..."

10 Signs of Stress

I just found this poster in the hallway labeled "ten signs of stress". I was seriously going to take it and put it in the interpreting lab. Ummm...parlez vous my life????

Amazing Amazing Interpreter Training Resource!

Today I was looking around for some interpreter practive videos for my lab hours and I found this website with links to several places, for many different languages! Kudos!!
http://interpreters.free.fr/links/practicematerial.htm

Ever Have A Day Like This?

This was literally my whole day.  HANDS TIRED WHY HEARING PEOPLE FLAP-GUMS

Is Ignorance Really Bliss?

The other day while I was in class, my advisor was telling us about a workshop she recently went to for interpreter trainers.  Each interpreter trainer was given a “wish list” to write down things they wished for.  She said that most of the people there put down “to have incoming student be more informed”.  Short of calling them ignorant, she went on to explain that her incoming freshmen are young and sheltered. Many of them have lived in the same place their whole lives and don’t really know much about what is happening outside their world.  As she was explaining this to us, it brought me back to a moment form the previous week.   I was in the lab, trying to cram in as many lab hours as my schedule would allow.  I interpreted a variety of videos on various topics.  Then I began interpreting a video about seizures.  Having had seizures my whole life it is a topic I am very familiar with.  I know the concepts and I know the signs because it is a part of my life.  I have to say, I have never had such an easy time of interpreting as this.  It was a breeze.   I threw out my concepts eloquently and I was very pleased with my performance.  I cleaned up my space and then I left to go to class. As I was walking I started to think about my interpreting, and how much easier my life would be if I simply knew everything.   If I literally knew everything there was to know in the world, I would eliminate all those “ugh oh, what does that mean” freak out moments when your interpreting.   Information is power. The more you know the easier your life as an interpreter can be.  Back to what my advisor was saying, it’s an interesting thought.   I never would have thought she would choose having her incoming freshman be more informed.  I would have thought it would students who work harder, or students who were smarter, or whatever you would imagine a teacher wishing for.  It’s a small detail that I never really thought in-depth about before.  So think about it! Food for thought!

-Gina

Snooki Meets An Interpreter.

Classic;)

Friends Don't Let Friends Hire Bad Translators...

                          Clearly this person had no real friends cause no one told them to hire a translator!!
                                                                     Food for Thought!!!

Photo: www.engrish.com

“Le langage reproduit le monde, mais en le soumettant à son organization proper.”

This is one of my favorite quotes from the French linguist, Émile Benveniste “Le langage reproduit le monde, mais en le soumettant à son organization proper.”  It means that language is what brings people together, but it is also a way of organizing the world into sections, therefore, keeping people apart. It is profound:)

A Day in The Life of A Sign Language Interpreter: University Setting

So funny, and so true!

Looks like this person hasn't had a rest in WELL over a year. WHERE WAS THE TRANSLATOR?!!

LOLOLOLOLOOL

-from www.engrish.com

Keep Calm and Carry On

After a long and demanding week of homework, tests, cramming in interpreting hours, in class interpreting and the regular hustle and bustle of everyday life on campus; I woke up this morning feeling like I was in over my head.  I got dressed and went to interpret for our in-class interpreting exercises. Interpreting was as it always is: a big blur of sweat, blood and signs. Its possibly the only situation where I can not only forget how to sign properly, I also seem to forget how to speak English as well.  When I was done I grabbed some lunch but the build up of stress from the whole week made it hard to eat.  So I decided it was time for some much needed "me" time to decompress. I decided to take a mini 5 hour vacation from the world, and I drove out to Lewisburg.  I shed my stuffy interpreting clothes and threw on my jeans and a top.  I have to say that there is nothing more relaxing then driving west on 80 through the mountains blasting Iron & Wine.  It was such a relief itself.  I spent the day being an anonymous person in a small town relaxing. I sat in Barnes and Noble most of the time but it made such a difference in reliving my stress.  Cause lets face it, its a stressful life. Having only had the experience of being an interpreting student, I don't know if being a real interpreter is any more or any less stressful, but I'm certain it is. When I got back from my "vacation" I felt rested and relaxed. More importantly, ready to work again.  I don't know had I not done this if I would be as capable of moving forward as I am.  In the hustle and bustle of life its easy to put yourself last. But if you think about it, what good are you if you are unrested, stressed and strung out on coffee?? Giving yourself a few hours is not only better for you, it makes you more capable to deal with your life. That's my lesson learned for the day;)

Seeee yaaa;)
Gina

Inside the Interpreter's Closet

Last week my best friend Todd sent this cartoon my way, it shows the inside of every sign language interpreter's closet.  An array of sad blacks, grays, and browns. As funny as it is true, its also ironic. Interpreters are probably the most creative and outgoing group of people I have ever known.  Interpreting is an art as much as it is a science.  In a way we are artists. It is ironic that our wardrobe makes us seem the opposite. Food for thought!

-Gina

Hello and Welcome

Hello out there! This is my first post for my blog "The Daily Terp". Its a blog of resources for interpreters, translators and of course interp students. In addition to getting the word out on new information, events, workshops and so on...I'm also hoping to throw in some good old interp humor to provide some comic relief. Lets face it, we need it. Its hard work and at the end of the day we could all use some laughs. So, I hope you guys stick around and read my blog:) it is after all, for you.

Send me some love
Gina