In what ways does watching an ASL storytelling performance advance your interpreting skills and contribute to your professional growth?

Question for interpreters: In what ways does watching an ASL storytelling performance advance your interpreting skills and contribute to your professional growth? Should it be possible to earn CEUs for watching ASL storytelling presentations? How do such authentic cultural presentations enrich your interpreting repertoire? Do you pick up new vocabulary or classifiers? Do you deepen your cultural understanding?

Please kindly send your comments to Trix for use in documenting the value of storytelling performances in regard to CEUs. Thank you.

ASL storytelling presentations demand a lot from voice interpreters.

Message, tone, register, vocabulary selection options, timing, and the storyteller's personal style contend for attention in the mind of the interpreter. The process of conveying all of these storytelling elements from a signed performance to a voiced presentation is highly challenging.

The interpreter must bring the story to listening audiences without losing the ASL presenter's content, flavor, or flair. Interpreters need to keep both Deaf and hearing cultural perspectives in mind. Sometimes a whole string of signs will translate best into a word or short phrase, or a single sign will require a lengthy sentence or two. Studying English Equivalents will help interpreters prepare for work with ASL storytellers.

Why do I love Hot Cocoa so much?

There are many reasons why this hot cocoa made my day and even nights.  My parents introduced me to hot cocoa at the age of 2 during fall and winter times. I became addicted to hot cocoas for years.

During my college year, I had horrible day or even cranky. My parents offered me a hot cocoa, it melted my moments. I couldn’t explain. It goes on and on. I finally went to see a doctor telling me there was something wrong with me – drinking hot cocoa is a must.  My doctor said it was nothing wrong – it is better than drinking coffee, sodas, unhealthy drinks along with smoking cigarettes, chewing gums, etc.  I also learned that cocoa is healthy.

My tongue prefers this made with a milk along with Hershey and vanilla syrup. I enjoyed tasted many different hot cocoa packets whenever they offer, I purchased and saved in my briefcase as “to-go” cocoa wherever they are not available to offer a hot cocoa. I would ask for warm milk, mixed together – gulped! Yummy!

Unfortunately, my business partner is addicted to coffee, I don’t drink coffee. I am sure you enjoy your coffee just like me I enjoy cocoas. Having coffee sales would not stop me at all – I would simple add the different cocoas to taste along with coffee. Mmm.

My friends teased me that my cocoa is my drug. It is true; I didn’t mind having my cocoa insult ion, just kidding.  Of course, I would put “drink hot cocoa” at the top of “my things to do” list everyday wherever I go to work, perform, rest, and that way I get a least one thing done!

Finally, I have decided to put my hot cocoa shelf in my new coffee shop: Trix’s Hot Cocoa Collections. It was fun to find wholesale hot cocoa products. There are several excellent tastes, some are sort of, and a very few are not great.  Check my shelf and you find my products that are taste awesome! 

I d toast my hot cocoa to you all, enjoy hot cocoa!  Hugs, Trix

What is in store for you in the future?

I would like to put all of my workshops onto DVDs. I also hope to have the opportunity to be in entertainment, such as films, commercials, and/or television. I cannot predict what will happen to me in the future, but with support from friends, fans, communities, and families, I have been encouraged to follow my dream. One day, my dream will come true. I would love the adventure of performing in front of cameras.
I would love to continue with my studies pertaining to linguistics, specializing in ASL storytelling. I have enjoyed attending workshops and classes all over the country. I also would love to develop a further understanding of storytelling textures. I hope to continue educating and entertaining people.

What do you do during your free time while you are here presenting your workshops/shows?

REST:  Resting up is my highest priority so as to be prepared for my upcoming workshops and shows. I enjoy a little TV or a movie. If there's a spa available, I'm there!

HOT COCOA: Hot cocoa with milk is heaven.

PHOTOGRAPHY: I'll wander beaches, flower gardens, or any quiet places where I can snap pix and meditate.

ORGANIC, HEALTHY FOODS: A taste of local fare is fun.

WORK: Sorting through email is a must.

PERSONAL NETWORKING: An invitation for a cup of hot cocoa, a spa visit, a walk through a flower garden or down a lonely beach is an honor to accept. I am not fond of tourist spots with crowds of people. Traveling for 14 years, I've seen enough of cities. I crave small-town shops and quiet beaches.

How do you stay so thin?

(Laughing) There is no trick. I do not overeat and I only have one vice: hot chocolate with vanilla. The airports are my exercise – the long walking, lifting suitcases, and standing in long lines. I love to eat, but flights usually do not have food served. There is not much to eat during a long flight. I drink plenty of water. Some hotels don’t offer food service. There is no transportation for me to pick up food. The performances also require a huge amount of energy which burns calories.