DownloadAug. 18 issue
Goshen ASL prof interprets for Obama
By Jodi H. Beyeler Goshen CollegePage:
- 1
- 2
GOSHEN, Ind. — When Sen. Barack Obama came to Concord High School in Elkhart for a presidential campaign town hall meeting Aug. 6, thousands of people wanted to hear his every word.
Julie Armstrong, Goshen College assistant professor of American Sign Language, interprets for Sen. Barack Obama during a presidential campaign town hall meeting Aug. 6 at Concord High School in Elkhart, Ind. — Photo by Jodi H. Beyeler/Goshen College
But for those who couldn’t hear the Democratic candidate, Julie Armstrong, Goshen College assistant professor of American Sign Language, was able to convey the message.
For two and half hours, the Deaf people in the audience received Obama’s message primarily through Armstrong.
A good interpreter must be a good performer, Armstrong said. She had to portray the tone and intent of the speaker all of the time, and yet when the speaking stopped, she had to be completely neutral as well.
As an interpreter, she also can’t twitch, scratch or be visibly distracting.
“It is very physically fatiguing,” she said.
For Armstrong, interpreting for a presidential candidate was all in a day’s work and wasn’t about her political perspective. She has interpreted for a number of high-profile people before, including mayors and governors from both the Republican and Democratic parties.
“I would interpret for John McCain if he came, too,” she said.
Armstrong holds national certification as an ASL interpreter, is a doctoral candidate and has 15 years of experience as an interpreter. There are very few other ASL interpreters in the region with those qualifications.
A local interpreting agency called Armstrong Aug. 2, the day the event was announced to the public, with an assignment request.
Page:
- 1
- 2
Comment on the article Goshen ASL prof interprets for Obama
The purpose of comments is to engage in dialogue. We expect commenters to treat authors and each other as each would want to be treated. Respectful criticism is welcomed; offensive comments will be removed by the site administrator. Name and comment will be posted; email address is for follow-up only and will NOT be made public.
