Sign Language interpreters generally spend more prep time in performing arts assignments than any other. After considering the weight of impact this type of interpreting has on a consumer's life experience, Wing Butler offers a reversal of thought by applying performing arts techniques to our everyday interpreting. By applying principles such as turn-taking, contextual and meaning based interpreting, acting vs. interpreting, explicit and implicit messages, etc., sign language interpreters can carry their zeal, or fear, for performing arts to arguably more impactful interpreting assignments.

1. Consumer Perspective
It’s the foundation of why we’re
here.
Story telling
It’s what makes it sooo good.
THEATER
INTERPRETING
FOR EVERYDAY INTERPRETERS
PERFORMING ARTS TECHNIQUES
Interpreter’s Perspective
It’s all about the “work”.

2. A Chance for Advancement
With 52 Saturdays a year, you have chosen to spend it
with me. I don’t take that lightly.
A Favorable Combination of Circumstances
All of the years spent in becoming who we are and
somehow we are sharing this moment in time together.
Thank You for making this a great opportunity.
OPPORTUNITY

3. INTRODUCTION

4. Feeling the “Puff”
Yes. He felt that and so can you.
Feeling the Rope
You can learn that way too. And most do.
OPPORTUNITY

5. INTRODUCTION

6. • Music
• Names & Relationships
• Teaming
• Semantics & Meaning
• Implicit & Explicit Message
• Passive & Active Voice
• Using the Stage & Blocking
• Alexander Technique
• Creative Space & FS
Topics We’ll Cover
Here’s what I
learned .
PERFORMING ARTS TECHNIQUES – AGENDA

7. PERFORMING ARTS TECHNIQUES
Principles of Flight
Gravity/Weight
The more weight the more gravity
has a hold.
Drag
The friction between the surface of
the wing.
Thrust
The force that propels an object to
overcome the previous two.
Lift
When All three principles reach a
balanced threshold, “lift” is
achieved.

8. Drag - Translation
Just like gravity our
knowledge base, personal
beliefs, and world view
threaten our ability to
embark through meaningful
change.
Lift – Meaning and
Native-like Product
It’s only after decreasing drag
and increasing your speed
does meaning give you
momentum to a comfortable
relationship in the
interpreting process.
Weight – Personal
Perspective
The culmination of who
we are; experience, world
view, biases and
weaknesses.
PERSONAL BRANDING– WIN/WINg APPROACH
Thrust –
Audience/Consumer
Perspective
The whole reason we’re
here.
The Goal

9. Drag - Translation
- Active & Passive Voice
- Semantics & Meaning
- Creative Space and FS
Lift – Meaning and
Native-like Product
Weight – Personal
Perspective
- Teaming
- Alexandar Technique
- Music
PERSONAL BRANDING– WIN/WINg APPROACH
Thrust –
Audience/Consumer
Perspective
- Explicit & Implicit
Message
- Names &
Relationships
The Goal

10. PERFORMING ARTS TECHNIQUES
Personal Perspective
Teaming
See RID Articles
Alexander Technique
The awareness of physical space
and reaction
Music
Purely a hearing world experience.

11. PERFORMING ARTS TECHNIQUES
Audience/Consumer Perspective
Explicit & Implicit Messages
“Do I look fat in this?” “Does this
look good on me?” An auditory
medium and visual medium.
Names & Relationships
Who is connected to who and
how?

12. INTRODUCTION

13. PERFORMING ARTS TECHNIQUES
Interpreter Perspective
Passive & Active Voice
Grammar Girl And the Dog
Semantics & Meaning
Meaning Based Translations
Creative Space & FS
Sign Choice. Spatial Mapping
“Don’t talk about the dog, be the dog”

14. INTERPRETERS PERSPECTIVE - Meaning

15. Consumer Perspective
It’s the foundation of why we’re
here.
Story telling
It’s what makes it sooo good.
THEATER
INTERPRETING
FOR EVERYDAY INTERPRETERS
PERFORMING ARTS TECHNIQUES
Interpreter’s Perspective
It’s all about the “work”.