Organization and analysis of an interpreted text

Content Mapping (Witter-Merithew)

This excellent article explains a cognitive exercise called content mapping, which can be used to visualize a text. Required

Topic Maps: From Information to Discourse Architecture

A non-SL interpreting related and slightly more academic discussion of information as “discourse architecture.” From the literature in information architecture, ‘topic maps’ visually demonstrate cohesion and the semantic organization of topics. Discourse architecture is a helpful framework for organizing interpreted texts. (Citation: Johnsen, L. (2010). Topic Maps: From Information to Discourse Architecture. Journal of Information Architecture. 2(1). Retrieved from http://journalofia.org/volume2/issue1/02-johnsen.)

The Meaning of Texts (Witter-Merithew)

Reprinted from Witter-Merithew, A. (2001). Understanding the meaning of texts and reinforcing foundation skills through discourse analysis. In C. Nettles (Ed.), Tapestry of Our Worlds, Proceedings of the 17th National Conference of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, p. 177-192. Required

Discourse mapping: Developing textual coherence skills (Winston & Monikowski)

Although written for interpreter educators, this article by Winston & Monikowski, along with the Content Mapping article above, represent seminal works in ASL interpreter education. The concept of discourse mapping (see also advance organizers [Ausubel] and concept mapping [Novak & Gowin]) has become an important tool in helping interpreters cognitively map (peg, chunk, link, self-monitor) ideas in discoursal texts.

Cohesion & Transitional Devices (Spoken English) Required

This two-page handout taxonomizes four types of spoken English cohesion and transitional devices: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential transitions. Helpful in organizing mind/discoursal maps.

Constructing Meaning (Colonomos): Discourse Analysis/Notetaking Tool

Colonomos’ “orange sheet.” This diagram helps to explain where, how, and what meaning is derived in a speaker’s/signer’s discourse. All of these constituent domains add up to a speaker’s/signer’s intention. (Don’t download this unless you lose the orange copy handed out in class.)

Prediction Skills

GRE Sentence Completion Exercises
GRE Sentence Completion Exercises (from ETS Tests)
GKAcademy GRE Sentence Completion Exercises

Mindmapping User Tasks

Again, another article from the world of design and user experience, “mind maps enable association-based thinking in a non-linear (think: “non-English”) way.” What principles in this article about design are applicable to interpreter thinking?

How UVU students use mindmapping in their work

Rebecca Halls (UVU ’10) shows us how she prepared for this assignment. Great job, Becca. Making us proud.