Name: _______________                                       Seattle Central Community College
Health and Human Services                                          Interpreting Training Program

Interpreting Observation Log Format: SAMPLE
(please refer to Interpreter handbook p. 17 & 18 as to how you should conduct yourself)
printable version

1. Date and length of time of your observation: Monday, Feb 12^th for 2 hours.

2. Type of Event: 50^th anniversary of an organization’s founding; or High school science class

3. Purpose and Topic of the Function: to inform, entertain, to teach, celebration etc.,  presentation on the state of the union address or “Photosynthesis”

 4. Setting: a local large church basement with rows of chairs, a long table at one end or, classroom with chairs and tables in U shape. About 30 students in the class

5. Participants: Teacher and 30 students; or one Master of Ceremonies, and 50 Deaf and  hearing people, most who use signs. There is some diversity in age and race in this group.

6. Interpreter’s Role: There are two interpreters at this event, both alternates between standing on stage next to the presenter and sitting facing the stage interpreter and feeding information as needed.

7. Interpreter’s Dress and Manner: How was the interpreter dressed for this event, how did the interpreter conduct her/himself at this event? Interpreter was in a nice dark suit, the outfit is appropriate for the platform lecture. The interpreter was very professional in attire, demeanor and speech. She continued to behave professionally while interpreting and while seated or The interpreter wore jeans and dark colored polo shirt at the Deaf picnic. I think the outfit appropriate for the occasion but felt the jeans looked a bit dirty.

8. Did the interpreter introduce self at the beginning of the event? If so, how was it conducted? Interpreter approached the presenter and introduced self then asked where the presenter wishes her to stand. She then proceeded to the stage and stood about 2 feet away from the presenter.

 9. Interpreter’s Communication Mode for this Situation: ASL; or PSE or Contact Sign, uses a lot of fingerspelling, mouthing of words, excellent use of classifiers for concepts etc.

 10. Interpreting Team: How was teamwork utilized? The second interpreter is attentive and fed information every time the working interpreter looks at the seated interpreter or 2^nd interpreter was reading a book while first interpreter was interpreting or the seated interpreter was writing down notes while watching the signing interpreter.

 11.  Register and Affect: What kind of register did the interpreter(s) use i.e., frozen, formal, consultative, informal and did it match the situation accordingly? Did the interpreter use appropriate language and body language to match the message? The interpreter used frozen register when reciting the National Anthem then it was formal the rest of the time. I enjoyed watching the interpreter use a similar affect as the presenter which was really animated. 

 12. What did you learn from this observation? I liked how the interpreter introduced herself at the beginning of this event and how she conducted herself throughout the session. I learned that you can use classifiers even in formal presentation situations like when she explained how the electoral college is set up. I was surprised to see when not interpreting, either interpreters left the room, or was reading rather than provide support to the working interpreter.