Uncle Dale's Rules for Interpreters
Workshop Description:
In 2010 Dale H Boam began an ongoing commentary on the lives of interpreters using his Facebook page, which has grown into a following of posts and reposts crossing the nation. Dale’s Interpreter Rules for Life incorporate all aspects of the interpreting experience from the profound:
Interpreter Rules for Life No. 43
You cannot interpret what you do not understand.
To the profane:
Interpreter Rules for Life No. 79
Interpreters talk about the ADA like teenagers talk about sex, they sound like they know a lot-but are really just repeating stuff they heard from other interpreters.
From the wise:
Interpreter Rules for Life No. 60
Don't give criticism and expect critique.
To the witty:
Interpreter rules for life no. 1
If the speaker says "dude" as a part of regular speech, never presume to guess how and when any sentence will end.
From the deep end:
Interpreter Rules for Life No. 11
You always want to work with someone you believe is better than you. If both you and your team are following this rule, you got it made!
To the shallow end:
Interpreter Rules for Life No. 9
Remember, being an interpreter is like joining the mafia, once you're in you have to die to get out!
And the just plain practical:
Interpreter Rules for Life No. 6
Before you go into any appointment take a moment to remind yourself that irregardless is not a word, frozen things thaw they don't unthaw, and that ravel and unravel mean exactly the same thing.
Dale will bring a collection of his most popular observations for a discussion that is at times rollicking, at others thought provoking, and always poignant.
Presenter Bio:
Dale is a tenured Associate Professor of Deaf Studies at Utah Valley University and attorney advocating for persons who are Deaf. Dale presents nationally on both interpreter education and legal advocacy and is the author of many papers on interpreting and the rights of people who are Deaf including: The Physics of Processing Time; Cohesion and Orphans in Interpretation; Legal Rights of Individuals with Disabilities: Law, Deafness and Personhood; Vote: The Power is in Your Hands; Making the ADA Effective for the Deaf Community; and Serving the Client Who is Deaf.
Dale also works with arts organizations including the National Theatre of the Deaf, The Utah Opera Company, The Sundance Institute, The Wang Center for the Performing Arts, The Fulton Opera House and many other companies.
Dale grew up in Taylorsville, Utah, but has lived in Indianapolis, New York, Chicago and Boston. Dale is nationally certified as an ASL interpreter and is licensed to practice law in both Utah and Massachusetts. Dale was on the board of the 2007 Deaflympic Games and the organizing board for Deaf Studies, Today!, He is heavily involved with Deaf technology projects including Deaftv.com and the Deaf World Library.