! Jessica Carter SLIN 403 Dr.

High December 3, 2013 Deaf Event Journal Fall 2013 Workshops on a Shoestring, Atlanta, GA - Sept. 21, 2013 During this time block there were two mini workshops: Thriving, Not Just Surviving as an Interpreter, and Whats Up With Finish? The first of the two workshops discusses the occurrence of burn out in interpreters. The presenter explained that burn out occurs as a

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response to a high level of chronic work demands. She continued on by explain the three phases of burn out (Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Negative Self-Evaluation) and their symptoms. Lastly, the presenter wen into detail about how to solve burn out when/if it happens. I found that this workshop hit home with me because I was really feeling discourages at this workshop as the day went on. There was a long of negativity toward the students or younger interpreters. This has gotten so disheartening to me as my time has gone on, especially because I work so hard. I felt like I didnt get enough of a negativity break between my summer and this workshop. I could relate to a lot of what was being discussed, and felt a little alarmed at my unhappiness with this career choice. The last workshop of the day really picked the mood up. The presenter was very energetic and bubbly. The workshop focused on the use of FINISH. The point of the workshop was to examine the many ways that FINISH can be used. We did this as a group by watching various videos of deaf individuals and some CODAs, and then analyzed through group discussion how the sign was used. The last part of the workshop consisted of an

! activity. The presenter would present the group with a sentence and we had to sign it including FINISH; it was amazing how many different variations there were in the room. Silent Dinner, Charlotte, NC - Nov. 8, 2013 This was my one and only silent dinner that I attended at a mall this semester. Unfortunately not many people showed up. I typically go to the events at Southpark Mall, but

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this was held at Northlake this week. What this meant for me is that I didnt know many people there. Its crazy to me how some people have their usual events that they go to in the deaf community. I ended up talking to a woman for a while. She clearly had a physical disability and this modified her signing. I was a bit taken back at first trying to comprehend what she was signing, but she was really nice and patient with me. Other than that I got a chance to chat with Chris. I know Chris from his usual visit to the silent dinners at Southpark. I had not seen him since last semester so I was surprised he remembered me. He had associated me with other GWU students and gave me a hard time for not being around at as many deaf events (particularly at Southpark) repeatedly teasing me and calling me a slacker. Chris is always so vibrant at events; he has a cochlear implant and dances around to the mall music trying to get a laugh out of people. Deaf Night Out, Charlotte, NC - Nov. 9, 2013 This event was by far different from any deaf event I have ever gone to. I had gone to Deaf Night Out once before, but the location and the crowd were different this time. Immediately I noticed that the crowd of deaf people was in the corner right next to all of the speakers in the bar, that right there made much of the experience exhausting. I continually had to step away and give my ear a break from all of the noise. Also, the crowd was different. These people werent the typical attendees at other community events. They were simply there to hang

! out at the bar and have a night out; they were not there to interact with students. I had to

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somewhat find the people I knew or the people interested in chatting. Also, the things that were discussed were different. It wasnt your usual get to know you type of conversation. Then when it came down to getting my deaf event paper signed I was somewhat at a loss for who to ask. I asked an older man that I had talked to for a bit, and he signed it, but he seemed upset. I felt like people were there to have a good time and they didnt want students cramping their fun with signatures and small talk at the bar, I dont think I would go back to deaf night out unless I was going with deaf friends. This was uncomfortable and overwhelming. Information Processing for Interpreters, Morganton, NC - Nov. 18, 2013 This workshop was like taking English Processing Skills for Interpreters all over again. Sadly, much of this information had slipped through the cracks in my mind so it was a great refresher. As I read through the outline a lot of things that sounded familiar came back to me, and I took a good deal of notes on others things I felt I should remember. In the end of the workshop when we were split into groups to translate the Star Spangled Banner, I found myself in yet another dreaded workshop interaction. It appears to me that I always get stuck with the negative committee at workshops. Anyways, as I worked with my group my suggestions were of course all wrong and I was inexperienced. What changed at this workshop is that I accepted it. I told my partners ok and we went with their ideas. I found myself sitting wondering why, what all this experience meant. I hate to complain, but this is my journal, and I find that many seasoned interpreters are far too hard on new interpreters. This is to the point that I dont even want to go to workshops. I enjoy learning at workshops so much, there are many aspects to the job that have intricate working parts and I love that, and I want to network, and meet other interpreters, but I can only be looked down on so much in my career. I think there is a severe

! imbalance in the field at this time. There is a large group of very seasoned, and experienced interpreters, and then there is a group of new language leaners that are well educated in the profession. Unfortunately, sometimes those two groups dont blend so well. It was a sticky situation, but I sat there and just waited, smiling. My input was later validated, but theres always a difference in opinion because in interpreting theres not only one right answer all of the time. Honestly, either way we both were right, but this time, for once I sat back quietly instead of holding my ground. I really think this is just a push to me for some reason. Theres something I am supposed to learn from those two women. At the end of the workshop I had a great refresher of information from a class that felt like it was so long ago, and a little bit of a wake up call.

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