Where'd I Park the TARDIS? The Pop Culture Savvy Terp

To interpret effectively for Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers in the K-12 and postsecondary education systems, educational sign language interpreters should be savvy on popular culture issues and trends.


Think of the eighth grader proclaiming their love for vampires who sparkle inthe sun. What about the high school student sketching picture after picture of a TARDIS? Or the group of college students hotly debating the latest episode of Game of Thrones or Downton Abbey? Let’s not neglect the kindergarteners sporting Frozen apparel and singing “Let It Go” for the umpteenth time. What about the high number of young padawan learners practicing their lightsaber skills in preparation of the newest Star Wars film? Then we have those who have been eagerly anticipating their letters of acceptance to Hogwarts.

Still think a working knowledge of popular culture is unnecessary in working with students in K-12 and postsecondary settings? Think again. (...)

(Read the entire article at the Minnesota Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf's Educational Interpreters Committee here, as well as engage in friendly discussion).

For those preferring an ASL version, here is the accompanying vlog version:

(Captions are available - toggle the CC button to activate).




About the Author:

Kaitlyn Mielke, a recent graduate of University of Minnesota Twin Cities with
a Master in Liberal Studies, did her thesis on interpreting for the performing
arts with a special focus on Musical Theatre. She also has a Bachelor of
Individualized Study from UMN in English, Theatre Arts, and Deaf Studies.
She works as a Sign Master collaborating with interpreting teams for touring
Broadway musicals. When not sitting in the front row of a show, she can be
found with her nose in a good book (Harry Potter, for instance) or working on
multiple writing projects.


For those interested, here's a link to over 150 suggested signs for everything HARRY POTTER - go check it out! http://bit.ly/1uZWBhT


Also I would like to thank CHS ASL for the original inspiration for the way to sign "May the Force Be With You" - original video found here: https://youtu.be/SB6DZV-Ev0g