This page is provided to give you an example of the diversity of classes in Silent Weekends.

Classes offered at the 2009 Silent Weekend included:

50 ASL Phrases or Idioms

Beginners often look at ASL and wonder, "Why didn't I learn that in my class?"  These classes will help beginners with many commonly used ASL Phrases or Idioms, from "Think-dwell" to "What-do?" to "Dumbfounded."  

Classifiers A to Z

Knowing about classifiers and using them are two different things.  This session will show many classifiers and provide practical helps in using classifiers in everyday conversation and in interpreted settings. Knowing about classifiers and using them are two different things.  This session will show many classifiers and provide practical helps in using classifiers in everyday conversation and in interpreted settings.

Interpreting Difficult Words in the Bible

Have you ever wondered how to sign words like abased, conversation, grace, emerods, feebleminded, and more?  This practical workshop will present numerous difficult words, their definitions, and strategies to interpret them into today's language and culture.  There will be time for group questions and interaction.

Song Point What?  Interpreting Church Music

Making church music meaningful and interesting for Deaf people can be quite a challenge, especially when the music does not contain a strong beat.  This workshop will help church signers and interpreters understand the elements of music and how to communicate the message of church songs and hymns in a more meaningful way.

WOW the Message!  Interpreting Emotional Content

Have you ever seen an interpreter produce all of the content on their hands, but miss the emotion of the message?  Conveying the emotional content can be the most difficult part of interpreting.  This session will provide practical ways to “own” the message and let the emotional content flow through the heart to the hands. 

Juggling!  An Art Form to Improve Your ASL and Interpreting Skills

This workshop will look at the similarities between learning a language and learning to juggle and how juggling can improve your ASL and interpreting skills. This is a very hands-on workshop and participants WILL learn to juggle!

Task-Based Language Teaching and ASL
Conference participants will be provided a brief overview of the theoretical principles of TBLT and guided through the process of creating lesson plans based on these principles.  Geared for ASL teachers

Cooking Up ASL Sentences
      In this class we will be "Preparing for the Party".  We will learn signs for various foods, family members, and colors.    You will gain practice in signing sentences with possessives.

Facial Expressions and Conceptual Accuracy
      The fascination with ASL comes alive with appropriate facial markers.  Find out how meaning can drastically change by simply changing your facial expression.   We will also explore conceptual accuracy to match the intended meaning. 

Going on Vacation
        Taking a "Vacation" can be fascinating as you learn the signs for places to go and things to see.  We will incorporate classifiers to tell our stories with a much clearer understanding. 

Shopping in the Candy Store
      This class will focus on signs used for shopping, making the choices, what to buy?  how to pay?   You and your partner will be given the opportunity to practice your exchanges.

Soaring with a Song     
        Do you want to learn ASL?   By using music to learn new vocabulary, you can easily make mental connections and retain the information.  You will compare Signed English to American Sign Language with the lyrics, in order to understand the importance of conceptual accuracy.   Come explore the expression of beautiful ASL set to music with three popular songs.
 
What's Your Phone Number?  Numbers and WH Questions
      Bring your pencil and paper for exchanging information with each other using number signs and wh questions.  What expressions match with WH questions?  You will be surprised how naturally you will incorporate vocabulary and body and facial expressions while you dialogue.

Classifiers for Water Activities
Classifiers can do anything – well, almost! This workshop offers a variety of stories presented by Trix entirely through the use of classifiers.  You will see handshapes transforming into water skiing, boating, stunts, wakeboarding, windsurfing, driving, and many more. Have fun with more classifier storytelling!

An ASL Storytelling Handbook, Trix Upon a Time
          Create your own visual storytelling! Brainstorm the steps needed to put a story together. List all the details of the play that affect the body's senses (vision, sound, smell, taste, and touch). Imagine yourself as a member of the audience (both deaf & hearing). What do they really want to see?  Exercises that help you learn how to make clearer body language, gesture, and signs and finalizing the story and narration in ASL. Participants will learn the following aspects of ASL Storytelling: Role Shifting, Eye Gazing, Characterization, Classifier Usage, Building a story in ASL.

ASL Extreme Makeovers:  The Art of Personification
       Learn how to “change yourself” into someone or something else. In literature, the technique of “personification” gives an inanimate object, a plant, or animal characteristics that make it seem “human”. The object shows emotions and takes on person-like behaviors. You can use this technique in American Sign Language to “become” a flower, butterfly, or even a book! Trix will demonstrate how to personify characters and shift roles within your story. You’ll learn how to “become” a baseball, basketball, beach ball, bowling ball, football, marble, ping pong ball, racquetball, soccer ball, water polo ball, and more!

ASL Idol!
   Join the fun and show off your talents in “Trix’s ASL Idol”! Let the magic happen as you try out your improv signing skills at this creative event. Join in as Trix and event participants compose and present A to Z, number, and handshape stories, and all kinds of ASL entertainment. Deaf judges will determine contest winners. Don’t miss this sensational signing extravaganza!
      This event offers an enchanting and entertaining evening of traditional ASL storytelling. Trix performs amazing feats of American Sign Language skill, thrives on audience interaction, and enjoys accepting artistic challenges onstage. With her creative storytelling, Trix brings into play handshapes, classifiers, 3-D representations, personification, role shifts, international sign, and more. Let Trix take you on a roller coaster ride through ASL poetry, storytelling, folk tales and fun!

ASL SEMANICS:  Precision of Expression Series Focus Word:  RUN
      Semantics is defined as the study of meanings expressed by the elements of a language or a combination of the elements. A concept expressed in an ASL sign often cannot be conveyed by a single all-purpose English word. Likewise, English words and phrases may have variations in meaning, which require translations using different ASL signs. This workshop helps the student advance skills in translating the languages of ASL and English. This workshop will
focus the word of RUN.

Empowerment through Signing Skills
          Get ready to face your challenges and win! Trix’s tips empower you in building superior signing skills. The presenter will review regional accents and cultural perspectives. The presenter has worked with students, teachers, and interpreters. She’s learned about their challenges, and in conversation with Deaf friends, as well as through surveys, she has discovered ways to support signing empowerment. She helps workshop participants feel “on top of the world”. How do you handle it when someone criticizes your skills? Learn to honor yourself and your values, your time, and the skills that you’ve been building over the years.

“Face-Painting” with Non-Manual Signals in ASL
       Non-manual signals (NMS) in American Sign Language enrich and clarify the meaning of manual signs. Come and learn that art of painting your face with a full spectrum of NMS colors and designs. Non-Manual Signals include: 1) Non-Manual Adverbs 2) Lexical Non- Manual Behaviors 3) Non-Manual Grammatical Markers 4) Emotional States / Evaluative judgments 5) Prosodic Structure 6) Discourse Structure 7) Turn Taking 8) Backchannel Feedback 9) Grammatical “Sound” Markers, and 10) Mouth Movements.
        This workshop will focus on developing accurate non-manual signals and markers as used in ASL. Demonstrations of each category of facial behaviors and head movements will be shown in context. Practice exercises will be offered. By the end of this workshop, you’ll be an artist!

Handshape Common Misuse:  Really?  Did I Sign That?
      The Handshape is probably the most apparent parameter of ASL.  Linguists have identified a large number of discrete handshapes, which the signs are most look-like. The presenter will demonstrate several categories that demonstrate various degrees of similarity for particular handshapes, which can lead to misunderstandings.  She will also show the proper application of palm orientation, location, and movement for the handshapes.

Deaf Culture:  Our Way
      This workshop shares information about the different kinds of deaf humor and jokes. To be able to understand more about the humorous aspects of the deaf experience. Will share examples of classic "deaf jokes".   The following jokes have been passed down through generations of deaf people and are widely known among individuals within the American Deaf Community. Deaf Humor is important to our culture. The participants will learn and wish to become more than casual acquaintances of the deaf community. Will share some humorous (Deaf jokes), hazardous and sometimes embarrassing experiences of being deaf in a world where sound predominates almost every aspect of life.

Deaf Culture:  Social Interaction and Its Rules
       This session is a must for all those who work and deal with the deaf, sign language students, agencies, staff personnel, interpreters, family members of deaf  people and etc. This is so because the study and understanding of the deaf have recently begun to shift focus from a clinical/pathological perspective toward a more cultural viewpoint. As any cultural group has its own unique traditions .It is only by understanding these traditions that the diversity of the people and the nuances of their language can be appreciated. In this session, participants will begin to experience the rich cultural identity and will come to observe in a deeper way the interactions that characterize these two unique groups(Deaf and Hearing). Will show different culture tips and how to get along well in the deaf community.

How to Use Classifiers and ASL Classifiers with Movement
      This session will have the participants learn how to use classifiers to describe things and to manipulate the classic classifiers.  The participants will learn how  to describe and indicate more complex concepts from drawings, photos and short narratives. There will be some fun activities to do. 

Number Incorporation and Numbers in ASL
     Numbers play an important role in everyday life.. This session provides an informative, positive and practical approach to numbering practice to help you learn numbering as an integral part of ASL rather than an isolated component.. If you think numbers are difficult,  this session gives basic information about how numbers are used in ASL.  In Most languages, numbers are one of the most difficult things to learn well. The participants will learn the rules for numbers. Indicating money in sign language is not difficult. There are just a few rules to memorize.  The participants will learn more about numbers tips.( time, age, sequence and so forth) There are several ways to sign in numbers. 

Show Me the ASL
        This workshop will have the participants learn how to sign in ASL and learn how to be more comfortable with ASL    Will have the opportunity to look at the sentences and decide how to sign in ASL. 

Demystifying Prosody in American Sign Language
    In spoken languages, prosody refers to variations in rate, pitch, loudness, stress, intonation and rhythm of continuous speech. As it relates to fluency - the absence of prosody is perceived as monotonous speech. Speech that is not rhythmic or prosodic is also characterized as unusually slow or fast, halting, dysfluent and lacking the normal rhythm and fluency of a native speaker.
     In American Sign Language, prosody is a term that is used to refer to variations in handshape, the movement, rhythm and size of signs, and to movements of the torso, head and neck. Variations in posture and body movement, the rate and direction of sign movement, sign tension and stress, increases and decreases in the size of sign production, variation in pacing and pauses, and repetition of signs create rhythm and fluency. As in spoken languages, native and near-native fluency are often marked by skill in prosodic variation. In this workshop, we will examine characteristics of native signers that are examples of prosody.

Hearing Loss:  Pathology or Challenge:  Communicating with People who Have a Hearing Loss
   The failure of effective communication with a person who has a hearing loss is often blamed on the person with the disability themselves. In fact, the hearing impaired person may feel guilty and blame themselves for communication errors.
    Here are some tips from people with hearing loss as to how to take responsibility for communication by making their needs known in an assertive and knowledgeable manner.

How to Oppress Deaf People:  A Field Manual
     Interpreters are often well-meaning individuals who have the best intentions to provide equality and communication access for Deaf people. Yet, interpreters are often viewed with suspicion and as oppressors by members of the Deaf Community.     
   Using sociological theories of In-group / Out-group dynamics, this workshop will discuss the tension between interpreters and the population they serve, and suggest methods to improve the cooperation and communication between the interpreting community and the deaf community. 

Setting Boundaries:  Reality for the Emerging Interpreter
           When making the transition from signer/interpreter training student to working interpreter, one of the greatest challenges is setting boundaries. Your personal and professional behavior as an emerging interpreter can set the tone with consumers for an entire career. This workshop will define a number of boundary-setting strategies used by experienced interpreters. The attitude of Deaf Consumers to these strategies will also be discussed. Interactive participation is expected!

Time X Ten
           Vertical time, horizontal time, calendar time and sun time? Time is managed in ASL in a variety of creative visual ways, using space, movement, direction and non-manuals. Here is a workshop that describes and allows practice for ten variations in time for beginners and intermediate students.

ASL Colloquialisms
         Part of linguistics study of how colloquialisms and slangs differ in ASL in comparison to English.  For example:  brown nose, held back anger, lost the thought, and more.  Each slang has its own ASL sign/grammar.  This is one of the most misused and misunderstood part of our ASL language.

Multiple Meanings
        One word equals one sign?  NO.  There are several semantics signs for one English word depending on the content of the sentences.  Students can learn to select right sign to match information and avoid using a wrong sign which cause confusion and misunderstanding.  Example:  My nose is running vs Jane is running for office.  The sign for running is different for both sentences.  This is one of the most misused and misunderstood part of our ASL language.

Sign Mime
        Sign mime uses non-conventional signs and is all mimed.  Classifiers, gestured movement, and visual emotions/expressions are used to perform in sign mime.  Inspirations are from movies, cartoons, scripts, books, and your creativity.  The benefits of using sign mime are the ability to tell a story either through scripts or imagination that is wholly visual, ability to imitate expressions and emotions, and enrichment in descriptive skills.  Develop your storytelling skills in showing you how to use classifiers, gestures, and visual signs.  All will have a “hands on” learning experience in different areas of Sign Mime’s techniques which are:  Body Classifiers, Body Part Classifiers, Instrument Classifiers, Locative Classifiers, SASS, Point of Views, Abstract, and Split Screen.

Sunrise with Shineyhead
           Come and wake up with Shineyhead’s show!

City & State & Country Signs
         There are over 180 signs to memorize! Gain knowledge of our American signs and the native sign for that country. Some of the signs are definitions of a cultural aspects or trademarks.


“Getting a Picture in Your Mind”  
           This workshop will help develop strong receptive skills that will teach participants to create a picture and walk through the picture, this workshop will develop those visualization skills. The participants in challenging activities like drawing a home floor plan , describe a car in detail, and learn signs of characters to interpret children’s stories.

My Experience with “Deaf Rights”
          This workshop will focus on my experience from 1950’s through present time  related with communication systems , using interpreters, the laws, jobs, and the communication barriers. Also, I will discuss old technology to new technologies for communication and living. How did my parents communicate with me during my childhood?

Polish Up on Fingerspelling and Numbers
            Participants will learn how to recognize the correct way of fingerspelling and using numbers. Demonstrate proper handshape to make concept clear to the Deaf reader. Categories covered  will be money, measurements, height, ages, sports, etc.

Signs of Sexual Behavior
           (Informal and Formal )   Multitudes of activities to assist you in using the appropriate signs of sexual behavior in your casual signing and interpreting. You will be exposed to the actual signs along with explanation for their usages. The activities will teach how to accurately use the sign in natural conservation or interpreting settings.  Even church interpreters need to know these signs because of interpreting marriage counseling by the Pastor or priest or rabbi.

Choir
  Even if you are new to signing, you can be performing Sunday morning!  Must attend Contemporary Harmony

Contemporary Harmony – 1 hour for everyone who plans to stay for Sunday morning. 
      If you attended any one of the “Religious Song” sessions I taught, this hour will be spent practicing the song(s) for presentation during the Sunday Morning service.

Memory Mats for Sign Language Concepts     
       This class is specifically designed for new and beginning sign language learners. The brain is a complicated element of your being…and sometimes you feel like learning sign language is too.  Learning sign language is not complicated.  Attend this class to understand how your brain helps you learn best so you can benefit the most from other teaching sessions.  We will explore various graphic organizers that may help you memorize and retain new information about sign language.

Religious Songs
       Let's learn some Christian songs together!

Scripture Analysis Workshop
        This workshop is designed for interpreters of traditional religious groups.  Understanding the five types of scriptures (expository, theological, devotional, ethical and practical), participants will obtain new skill sets to transliterate scriptures.  The instructor will explain the features of each type of scripture and use active protocols to stimulate participants to practice transliterating each type of scripture.   

Beginning ASL, Where Do I Put My Hands?
  Everyone tells me "Use ASL" but how?  I can't get past my English!  This class will help you start making the transition from English to beautiful ASL.

Expounding with Adjectives
      Help!  I feel like a deer in headlights!!  So you've taken a sign class but when you met a deaf person you froze  This class will help you get past the fear and feel confident to hold a conversation.

Transforming Nouns to Verbs 
   "I haven't seen you in a 'Month of Sundays""!!  Our language is full of funny sayings, or "idioms", handed down to us by family friends and society.  We will incorporate normal nouns and verbs compared to how they are used with idioms to make your signing conceptually accurate..

Fingerspelling and Introducing Yourself"     
       Let your fingers do the walking!  This class will focus on fingespelling ease and clarity.  It will help you in introducing yourself and everyday use.

Weather and Sports
  Classifiers!?!  What's that??  ASL incorporates specific handshapes and movements that can bring your signing alive and create a clearer picture, saving time and energy.

Deaf Culture, You Need to Know    
     Deaf Culture Faux Pas ... A faux pas is a violation of accepted social rules, faux pas vary widely from culture to culture, and what is considered good manners in one culture can be considered a faux pas in another.  We will examine how this relates to deaf culture and how you can avoid a deaf culture faux pas.
 Express Yourself
      Yes, this will be close to the end of the day class, BUT! It will be one of the best! ASL is a great fun gestural language that you can convey so many wonderful things, emotions & pictures thru sign & gesture. Come learn how to express yourself and impress your deaf friends!   

ASL Stories by Paul Jones    Paul will share six ASL stories which are masterpieces of usage of classifiers.
nterpreting Old Testament
     Paul will preach using Old Testament figures.

1. Participants will demonstrate various signs for Old Testament characters from Genesis to Malachi.

2.  Participants will demonstrate signs used for certain Old Testament books from Genesis to Malachi.
Construct Language: Stop Telling Me and Show It
       Linguistic Pollution is a real problem. English just manages to creep into our signing product no matter how hard we try. Deaf people agree: some of us just need to "act it out." Are you having trouble letting go of the English? Come and learn some tips on giving your signing a more picture-like quality.
        Using Power Point, the instructor will introduce the 4 ASL “rules of reality,” describe how they are used then show examples of sentences in ASL which have been interpreted from English using the rules as a guideline. The instructor will explain that these 4 rules are crucial when communicating in any form of a visual language.
        Instructor will show how to gesture sample English sentences and ask for volunteers to do the same.
 
NIC Interview: Give Me a Sample Already!            
     Tired of going to workshops without seeing model answers for the NIC Interview? Come to this workshop with your questions and sample situations to watch a NIC: Advanced and a NIC: Master interpreter model how they would answer scenarios in front of a camera.
         Using Encounters With Reality, the instructors will model possible ways to answer scenarios. Scenarios will be chosen at random by participants. Instructors’ answers will adhere closely to RID’s NIC Interview Examination Rubric Anchors.
        Instructors will also show select scenarios using Power Point. Participants will be asked to work in pairs and identify the conflict found in the scenarios as well as come up with possible solutions.<>

Trilingual Interpreting: A Basic Overview on Working Through Multiple Languages    
                Working from ASL to English and back is hard enough. What happens when you add another language into the mix? Curious about how the process is different, if at all? Maybe you've had questions about the work of juggling three cultures at once. Maybe you've been apprehensive about walking into a workshop labeled "For Trilingual Interpreters." If that's the case, this workshop is for you. Bring your inquiries!
           Instructor will discuss a brief history of trilingual interpreting and will list several trilingual interpreting “hotspots.” Instructor will also summarize the trilingual interpreting process.
           Instructor will review with the participants several simple phrases from languages other than English. He will then present these sentences as stimulus and ask volunteers to interpret said sentences into ASL.
          Instructor will then present the same sentences as stimulus and will ask volunteers to transliterate said sentences, keeping the spoken language clear on the mouth while trying to use the appropriate signs that match the words.

Conceptual Accuracy and Idioms     
        Most beginning signer become confused and frustrated because they cannot think of or recall the sign for a particular word.  Hearing minds tend to rely on their native which is based on sound and is not a conceptual language.   ASL is not a word for word system of communication.  ASL is a CONCEPTUAL system.   Individuals who want to become skilled singers must become conceptual signers and not WORD signers.   In this class we will take a good look the meaning of CONCEPTURAL ACCURACY and learn ways to train the mind to SEE rather then HEAR.    Join us for the fun as we also throw in a few English idioms which will blow your mind!!!!

How do you Voice That??
   You might call this conceptual accuracy in reverse,   Now we are looking at ASL to English instead of English to ASL.   What words will you use for  that ASL phrase.  Will the “hearing” understand.   Am I getting the point across?   Does my voice tone match the Deaf person's sign tones   Do I follow English word order or voice ASL??   How important is it anyway??

Music and the Deaf Ministry
   Music is a big part of most church services.   But it can be torture for the Deaf.     It can also be torture for the hearing interpreter.  Oh, wow how I am going to interpret that one.  Deaf people can enjoy and be touch by music if expressed in a clear visual ASL picture.
     We will discuss the purpose of music in the church. We will also examine variations of signed music giving tips for each variation and how to bring it all together.  We will look at why signed English does not work and ASL does.         Two examples will be used singing each in English and then ASL.   Join us for a great time!!

Scriptural Concepts
       How many concepts are there in the scripture for the word “glory”?   Are you using the same sign for all of them?  What about phrases like “the carnal mind”, ‘without a vision men perish” or “be ye not unequally yoked together”   How many concepts for simple words like sleep, dead, or though can you find in the scripture?  We will examine words and biblical phrases in this class keeping them in context with the verse. We also will look at various passages and consider the entire meaning, then put it into a visual picture.   
     Knowing and understand scriptural concepts is vital for those who want to give a clear message.  As the scripture says, “If the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle”.  If you want to "tune up your trumpet" this is the class to take.

What Really is Involved in Deaf Ministry???   Am I Called??     
     This class will either move you or anger you.  I will share with you some facts that have been confirmed to me by both the Lord and my experience of 28 years in this Ministry.   If you feel like you are spinning your wheels and getting no where in your ministry this class is for you.  It will answer question like: How do the Deaf view the church????  What is Ministry??    What constitutes DEAF MINISTRY??  How do I go from Sign Ministry to SUCCESSFUL DEAF MINISTRY??!!

Sunday School for Deaf Adults, Some Great Tips
     Participants will outline various language skills of deaf people such as high verbal orientated, ASL or Sign English
     Participants will identify each language skill and modify a biblical lesson. Teaching Bible Study to the Deaf
      This class session will focus on the need to understand Deaf Culture, the Deaf mind-set, and the Deaf perspective of the Bible in order to “teach” bible concepts to Deaf individuals
      I will describe reality experiences observed over and 18 year period that will demonstrate the need for a more specialized teaching technique in the Deaf bible class. 

Design Your Own Interpreter Training Program
       Throughout my interpreting career, I have continually wanted to be critiqued, get feedback, and be informed of my weaknesses and strengths.  Since I was a QA “0” and even today as a CI/CT, that desire hasn’t changed. In recent years I have been blessed to work with many beginning interpreters who have wanted our mentors to do just that, so I created this tool to help all of us do self assessments!!  Imagine, whenever you really feel like you need a boost, a refocus, or just don’t have a workshop/class coming up, you can improve your skills using You-Tube or books on tape!!!   Explanation and application of this tool for self-assessment will be broken down into 3 workshops, each examining separate aspects of the interpreting process that raters look for, and we will “rate” a tape. Come and improve your skills with us!!!

The participants will:

1)      Identify and distinguish criteria raters use to evaluate interpreters’ levels.

2)      Study assessment tool provided.

3)      Rate a tape of an interpreter utilizing tool.

4)      Outline a plan to video tape self, utilize tool, and accept outcomes of weaknesses ad strengths

Hospital Interpreting:  You Want to be Helpful?   Are You Sure???
      This workshop, specifically created for Interpreter’s and Deaf consumers in hospital situations, will explore the interpreter’s role and the safest and most appropriate things interpreters should and shouldn’t do. In the hospital setting interpreter’s decisions often become different than in other situations. We will identify the models of interpreting, NAD/RID’s CPC, as well as various roles in the hospital to bring us to an educated discussion of various situations that have occurred and could occur in the hospital-interpreting setting. Hopefully we will realize in this setting, a “non-helpful” interpreter does mean professional interpreter. Audience participation is welcome. Presenter has been a professional interpreter since 1986 and a Registered Nurse since 1992.
 
Take Your Client from “HUH?”To “Ohhhhh I See!”     
     We hearing consumers often look at the interpreting/transliterating process as how WE got it out; but we really need to construct our message to benefit the perspective of our D/HH consumers. Did we give them the message in the easiest way for THEM to comprehend? Let’s analyze transliterating and interpreting and try to break the process down to its most pure message equivalence.  We will formulate the language continuum, analyze similarities and differences of each process/language, and then apply. In the application process we will take one source message; transliterate, analyze, interpret and analyze! What a difference we will see in a back to back setting!! WOW! 

“Not All Interpreting Jobs are Created Equal”
     As our profession has increased in research and quality, as well as the sheer number of Professional/Certified Interpreters, the evolution of such growth causes specialization, similar to that of physicians’ profession.  The purpose of this workshop is to examine the genres of interpreting settings: from educational and community, through VRS and compare various characteristics of that genre such as, but not limited to: support systems available; skills needed; benefits package, pay levels, specialize training, etc… Come ask your questions and get answers to questions such as: -“Why am I told that the highest level ‘terps should be doing educational especially the pre-k and kindergarten?”
    What’s it like to do shift interpreting in the hospital? “ 
     “I’ve heard that VRS is hard, why?? It’s just phone calls. I just got certified, why did they suggest I get a couple of years doing community interpreting, then come back?”  “Do you make more money doing educational or community interpreting?”   “I’m really scared to do community interpreting; I just want to do VRS.”  This is a great time to figure out your “niche” without trial and error.

ASL Misunderstandings
     In this workshop we will discuss why hearing people often misunderstand the deaf when they sign ASL. Learn how "yes" can actually mean "no" and "no" can actually mean "yes"

Deaf Culture vs. Hearing Culture
      Born deaf, Bill Rennie grew up in a hearing home and didn’t learn sign language until he was 15 years old. In this round-table, open discussion, he will openly talk about his struggles going from one culture to another and share his often times humorous stories of living in a those two cultures.

Deaf Idioms
    These are signs you don’t normally learn in a classroom situation or from a book but they are signs used by the Deaf community in their everyday conversations.       Recall 15 different Deaf Idioms and prepare and illustrate how each idiom is used in context in ASL.

Fingerspelling Warp:  Improving Receptive Skills
      Some Deaf fingerspell at warp speed!  In this workshop the participant will learn some techniques on how to improve their receptive skills!       Participants will recognize fingerspelling in its natural state (by a Deaf person) with 90% accuracy.  Participants will identify and use the technique described in this workshop.

Poetry Development in ASL
           Use your imagination and express yourself without worries or stress of "am I doing it right?" Instructor will guide you through the process.            
             Participants will develop a poem expressed through ASL by synthesizing imagination, emotions and feelings.

Religious Signs
       In this workshop, you'll learn over 150 religious signs.  Whether you are involved in a Deaf Ministry or interpret or want to interpret services for the Deaf, this will be a helpful resource.
ASL Homonyms and Synonyms     
    In this workshop you will learn same-English words (like, "What do you mean?" and "You're so mean!") (homonyms) that have different signs, and then you'll learn signs that are signed the same or nearly the same (synonyms) but have different meanings

Introduction to Legal Interpreting
      So, what’s the big deal?  A few legal terms, some life-altering decisions, an attorney, some handcuffs.  Through engaging discussions, interactive work, and case studies we’ll examine just what makes interpreting work “legal” and we’ll explore some of the key differences between legal and non-legal work.
      After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

1.      Identify key elements of legal interpreting;

2.      Distinguish key functions of an interpreter in legal settings;

3.      Determine which assignments to accept or decline based on assignment characteristics;

Session 1:  Legal Interpreting:  The Key Ingredients to a Successful Experience            
     Participants will explore foundational aspects to legal interpreting by examining the differences between legal, non-legal, and court interpreting while at the same time learning essential qualities of a legal interpreter.  Various settings and key roles of legal interpreters will also be explored.  Participants will also examine the legal right to an interpreter. 

W3 – The Who, the What, and the Why of Interpreting in Court
           In an effort to fully understand and appreciate the varied roles and responsibilities of a legal interpreter in the judiciary, participants will examine key roles of a court interpreter, learn the essential components of Model Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Judiciary, and apply the code to real scenarios.

Developing Receptive Skills           
     This workshop focuses on the development of visual receptive language skills, an often-cited concern for second language learners.  Since the majority of interpreters for the Deaf today acquire American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language, the ability to fully understand sign language is critical to a comprehensive understanding and interpretation of the signed message.  Focus will be on various techniques in developing greater receptive ability, some areas addressed:  culturally based signs, numeric recognition, fingerspelling, and interactive behavior.

Incorporating Expansion Techniques in Your Interpreting          
 The language differences in American Sign Language and spoken English require that interpreters employ various expansion and compression techniques to achieve message equivalency.  Expansion techniques are used in order to make implicit information in the source language more explicit in the target language.  If an interpreter is unfamiliar with expansion techniques, the resulting interpretation develops errors, unnatural phrasing, and incorrect grammatical structures.  The goal of this workshop is to expose interpreters to various expansion techniques and to begin incorporating specific techniques as found in American Sign Language.

Scholar-Apprentice: A New Look at Mentoring           
    Mentoring is a vital tool for those in the interpreting profession.  A mentor provides feedback and guidance to those in want of such a model.  How that mentor provides feedback, and the language used by the mentor can encourage, or discourage, the “apprentice” (mentee).  There are specific terms and phrases that can be used to depersonalize feedback to encourage growth.  This approach and terminology will be presented along with an overview of the history of mentoring.  The Self Guided Approach and Guided Approach will be introduced and clarified.  Peer Mentoring will be discussed as a possible alternative.

Creating Classifiers
     This is classifiers discussion and development- how to create new classifiers for new images -- The use and variety of classifiers go beyond the standard ones taught in ASL classes- true fluency in ASL includes the ability to create new classifiers that are syntactically correct, and the meaning of such new classifiers clearly conveyed. Attendees will learn models for classifier creation opportunities, and how to think in 3-D/Visual linguistic style, and a greater understanding of classifier use. Attendees will also learn how to describe actions and objects without using standard ASL vocabulary or reliance on PSE. 

"Cromania!"
        A narrative about a deaf person’s view on life among a hearing world. Cultural aspects will be discussed as well as the logistics for a deaf person of operating within a business and social world that expects one to hear.
        Participants will be asked to give feedback on certain topics that the presenter will provide, and will also participate in role-playing scenarios. – no voicing will be provided.

Getting Dramatic about Interpreting
      Signing for the theater is a different style and presentation than signing for the classroom or conversationally.  This workshop is for those who would like to interpret for theatre, or to sign with “stage presence”. Participants will learn techniques and ways to hone skills to that will them be more expressive, and a more streamlined part of theatrical interpreting work. These techniques also help interpreters in other work environments in terms of clarity, role assignment, and reducing lag time.

Making Faces
           Facial expressions are an integral part of ASL grammar. This workshop will model some basic facial expressions that have grammatical significance in ASL, and help increase natural fluency in expressive ASL.

English to ASL: Interpreting: Dropping the Form          
     Designed for interpreters who want to improve their interpreting skills.  We will cover theory and process, briefly, then engage in practice using print and spoken English to create an equivalent ASL message.  This workshop will help those who regularly transliterate but want to build their interpreting skills.

ETHICS 101 – Establishing a Foundation
      Interpreters normally work autonomously and must be able to make decisions regarding ethical dilemmas.  Knowing personal core values can help interpreters make difficult choices.  Do you know yours?  Can you explain the difference between moral temptation and ethical dilemma?  Learn how they differ and explore the 4 kinds of ‘right versus right’ paradigms identified by R.M. Kidder.  Establish a foundation for ethical decision-making.

ETHICS 102 - Interpreting Dilemmas and Possible Solutions
     What should I do when this happens?   It’s a ‘right versus right’ situation, how will I choose which “right”?   Participants will explore possible resolutions for ethical dilemmas related to interpreting situations using the Code of Professional Conduct as a guide.   This workshop will focus on situations and group discussion of possible outcomes.

Humanistic Approach to Our Profession, A
       This workshop will examine our professional behavior and the boundaries that have been placed on them by others. The instructor will pose questions about behaviors that might be seen as “unprofessional” by some.   Should the interpreter assist with arranging chairs?  Is it appropriate for the interpreter to offer to get water for others when getting it for themselves? Is it okay for the interpreter to pass papers as they come along?     The theme will be to see if we can’t be professional and humanistic at the same time. 

Amazing Grace:  Revising a Classic     
     Many interpreters have done the classic hymn "Amazing Grace".  How it is interpreted is dependent upon the audience.  Come see and share different versions from transliterating into English for those who want to "sing/sign" along to strong ASL versions for those who want to be able to show Deaf parishioners why this hymn is classic.

When “Duck” Is Not Enough
     Using ordinary items, Maureen gives ideas on how to include visual information that goes beyond size, shapes and color when describing inanimate objects.  She shows non-manual markers that give a wealth of information and includes suggestions on how to practice improving this skill.

ASL Songs
       Discussing the use of ASL and how it applies to sign choices for songs.  Discussion and hands on practice to define the meanings of the song and how to portray it as either a character or classifier influenced theme to show meaning and intention of the artist and/or the listener. 

       Many workshops on this subject have talked about singing choices without taking into consideration the cultural impact that is involved or even missed when the song itself is not consider including the artist’s intention and his/her story behind it.  Popular culture will be also discussed in how the listener expects certain frozen register to help identify the song. 

       The workshop will involve some comedy as performance pieces from the show “My Experience…Different”    

      are analyzed along with other popular songs. 

      Discussion on past experiences and learning from others and presenter.

      List examples of  artistic ASL signing choices.

      Identify cultural references in songs.

      Analysis of songs and choosing to go narrative or acting out.

      Demonstrate skills during hands on portion of workshop.<>

Hearing Jokes in ASL
    Edutainment.   Hearing Jokes have many words.  Pretty wordy.  Loquacious at times.  Many times while telling a joke or interpreting one we concentrate so hard on the words and dialogue we forget to show the characters involved. 
     The purpose of this workshop is for us to practice ASL Joke signing / and interpreting.  We will use Jokes from other comedians and identify characters and how to portray them.  Discussion include body shifting, authority gazing and other made-up stuff from the presenter.

Improv Games for ASL Comfort
        Interactive Improv games to improve your confidence in using everything you have to be understood by the other person.  Hands, Arms, Legs, and those faces…just make it up..interpreters do! Edutainment.  Often we are faced with the problem of running out of signs while we interpret.  This workshop will help the participants feel comfortable making up classifiers during improv games.