Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

Rating:
Summary: For interpreters and other interested persons
Review: Excellent--- a good base book for us to move forward with as a profession.

Adele Harth

RID & NAD interpreter

Rating:
Summary: You Must Read This Book!
Review: I was a little skeptical as to whether I should even buy this book, as it is tauted specifically for interpreters and I am still learning ASL, but this book transcends ASL and Deaf culture to provide a great sociological field of study for everyone who works, plays, indeed LIVES in our society. Talk about providing insight as to the "how and why" we all make social faux pas, and the ways that we can be more open to resolving the mistakes we often make. This book is a must read for anyone who interacts with people of different cultures/backgrounds on a regular basis.

Rating:
Summary: An ABSOLUTE "must read"
Review: This is by far one of the absolute best books (just in general, not even specifically related to Sign Language) I've ever read!--and I read *a lot* of books. I was not able to put this book down; it was absolutely fascinating.

If you are a Hearing person at all familiar with Deaf culture, you will see yourself and your Deaf friends in this book and lightbulbs will go off as you recognize and identify the reasons for specific interactions you've had in Deaf community. As someone who has been enthralled with ASL for more than 20 years and involved in Deaf community off and on (more off than on to my dismay) for more than 10 years, I found myself, after reading this book, wishing I could reconnect with every Deaf person I've known and *apologize* to them for all the cultural gaffs and blunders I've made, and for all the misunderstandings and misassumptions on my part. I SO MUCH wish I had had this book 10-20 years ago to help me bridge the gap and to understand the different perspectives from which Hearing and Deaf approach communication.

Not only that but this book has opened my perspective and helped me to better understand my coworkers in the High Tech industry who are from Asian, Arab, and European countries, as well as to better understand the cultural differences between myself and the homeless and street-culture-savy teenagers with whom I work on a voluneer basis.

Thank you so much to the author for this amazing, fascinating, and accurate work!