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Interpreters: Let’s Talk About Us

by Ari-Asha Castalia and Dan Veltri

This is a new DVD featuring eleven interpreters discussing ethical issues.  You may earn a total of 0.8 RID CEUs by viewing this DVD and answering the discussion questions. Please note, there is an additional charge of $15.00 for CEU processing payable when you submit your answers to the discussion questions.

ISBN: 1-932501-75-4

Price: $59.95  plus shipping and handling


In December, 2005, Ari-Asha Castalia and Dan Veltri, both interpreters and workshop presenters from San Francisco, had a conversation about the need for an honest dialogue among professional interpreters about the work we do.  Beyond the linguistic skills and knowledge involved, and beyond the surface readings of the old Code of Ethics and the new Code of Professional Conduct, they saw a need for an opportunity to discuss subtle issues that sometimes cause conflict among interpreters and between interpreters and the consumers they serve.

Ari and Dan decided to bring together eleven certified interpreters from diverse backgrounds, seeking a blend of interpreters of all colors, men and women, hearing and Deaf, seasoned and newer interpreters, codas and non-codas.  Freelance community interpreters, educational interpreters and those who work primarily for video relay services were all invited to participate in the project.

The participants were brought to a private home in Sacramento, California for a weekend in May, 2006.  They were divided into discussion groups and provided topics with an illustrative scenario to discuss.  Participants were not given the scenario until just prior to the cameras rolling, to capture their immediate reactions.  Groups were free to take the topic in whatever direction they saw fit.  With one camera focused on each participant, the entire discussion was captured.  Later each session was edited.  

The scenarios invited discussion on the following topics:
  • Support while working (both asked for and not)
  • VRS and teaming within VRS settings
  • Clarifying motivation for interpreting choices: message clarity vs. “saving face”
  • Handling concerns about each other's business practices
  • Managing feelings of ownership of the process and content
  • Managing disparity of skills amongst team members

The Deaf participants had an additional discussion on these topics:

  • Working with interpreters who over-manage the situation
  • Responding to the interpreter's demeanor
  • Working with interpreters for the first time
  • Cultural mediation vs. boundary crossing for CDI's
  • The DVD is divided into eight sessions.  Some of the sessions are conducted in sign language and some are in spoken English.  The sessions conducted in sign language may be viewed with or without captions.  Use the subtitle button on your DVD remote control to turn captions on or off.   For sessions in spoken English, captions are permanently displayed.

    Suggestions for using this DVD:

    This DVD can be played on either a DVD player or a computer with a DVD drive.  Two documents, dq.pdf and ceu.pdf are available for viewing and printing when using a computer DVD drive.

    To use in a group setting we suggest first printing the dq.pdf file containing the scenario so group members can read the material prior to viewing.  Then view the sessions, and lead a discussion, using the questions found in the document.  Feel free to add questions of your own.

    For individual use we suggest reading the scenario on screen.  Then view the sessions.  After watching, print the dq.pdf file and answer the discussion questions.  To earn CEUs, print the ceu.pdf file and follow the instructions to complete and submit your paperwork.


    Item LTAU


    Price: $59.95


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