Workshop Description

    “Ya know when we do that thing that’s like…ya know?” Have you ever found yourself discussing language, either signed or spoken, and discovered that you intuitively know how to say something, but are not able to describe how you do it? Knowing a language is quite different from knowing about language. The awareness we have about how languages work is called meta-linguistic knowledge. In this workshop we foster meta-linguistic knowledge of ASL, English, and languages in general to enable deeper reflection on our own language use in everyday communication, and specifically as applies to interpreting between ASL and English. 

    In Part I we learn about how languages are structured, with examples drawing primarily from ASL and English, and we practice hands-on analysis to see how meta-linguistic knowledge boosts our language learning and communication skills. In Part II we focus on how we use linguistic structures to convey nuanced meanings during communicative interactions. We explore complexities of meaning that can be easily overlooked, but are especially critical for interpreters to consciously consider while working. 

 

Educational Objectives
At the conclusion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

(After Part I)

• Identify phonological variation between two instances of a sign.

• List morphological processes that are commonly used in ASL and English.

• Give examples of how changes in linguistic form impacts the meaning and function of an utterance.

• Explain similarities and differences between ASL and English word order/syntax.

(After Part II)

• Explain the difference between encyclopedic meaning and criteria-based meaning.

• Give examples of how Linguistically Induced Information can impact interpretations between ASL and English.

• Identify forms in their own target texts that serve equivalent functions of forms in the source text. 

• Discuss the differences in construals evoked by source and target texts of an interpretation.