without completely losing it and cracking up? ROBOT. That's right, I cannot interpret the word ROBOT. I can't handle it. Even thinking about it while typing this entry is making me chuckle. Seriously, try signing it. I challenge you to sign it in a serious manner. It's impossible. And really, when I'm in the middle of interpreting something and most of my signs only last about a second, I can't help but drag out the sign for ROBOT to about five seconds.
So why is this a problem? Well, currently the seventh graders are gearing up for the good ol'Science Fair. Yes, it's that time of year again. The time when young adolescents dream of grandeur and making the impossible possible. This past week we've watched two videos about science fair projects and ideas, we've visited the computer lab to look at websites with ideas and project help, and we've viewed past science fair projects. All leading to today, when the students had to submit their final topic proposal.
If you haven't done so recently, I recommend talking to a seventh grader. No, really. Have a conversation with one. I promise you, it will be fantastical and hilarious; especially if you ask one to think of a science fair topic. These kids haven't grasped the concept of what is measurable and testable. And, they haven't realized the limits of their own knowledge and ability. Really, that can be a good thing, I mean, all kids should have high goals and strive towards achieving them. But, when a student has difficulty remembering to place his completed homework in the correct tray before the bell rings, it's a little difficult to approve a science fair proposal in which he wishes to construct a robotic arm.
Yes, this is where the sign ROBOT comes into play. My favorite video of the week (note that all interpreters hate interpreting videos) was one that was probably 18 years old and featured a boy who did create a robotic arm. Let's just say that that science class was not one of my finer moments in interpreting; it was a video from 1989 and the word "robot" was used roughly 52 times.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
When you sign "robot" for your extended five seconds, do you find yourself breaking into some new wave? Or perhaps emit a few beeps and chirps?
Well, because I'm holding the sign out for five (or more) seconds, which, when signing ROBOT, means that I'm continuing to move my arms, there is a slight outbreak of dance. There are no beeps or chirps; mainly because I'm on the verge of cracking up. And, true story, the deaf student is usually giving me a weird/concerned/quizzical look, wondering what's so funny and why I'm laughing, when no one else in the class is.
Post a Comment