Army wife/interpreter

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bjames492

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Hi all,

I am an Army wife. I'm also an interpreting major. I was just curious if there was a resource that had all those military related signs.
 
I'm retired Navy and an interpreter. I don't know of any military specific sign resources. Can you give me an example of what terms you are seeking?

Keep in mind, sometimes it's not enough to have a sign for a specific word if the meaning of the English word is not common knowledge. The military life is full of acronyms and jargon that has to be explained to the civilian populace.

In the case of acronyms, spelling is the way to go.
 
For example another Army wife and I were talking the other day and she tried to ask if my husband had deployed yet, not knowing the sign we fingerspelled. or like telling somebody he is active duty. I fingered all the rank and abbreviations were fingerspelled
 
bjames492 said:
For example another Army wife and I were talking the other day and she tried to ask if my husband had deployed yet, not knowing the sign we fingerspelled. or like telling somebody he is active duty. I fingered all the rank and abbreviations were fingerspelled
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Is the other Army wife deaf?

If the other person is deaf, the best way to learn the signs that are used within the local community is to ask. Spell the word, then give the meaning/definition/example, and then ask if there is a sign.

Even though those of us in the military use jargon shortcuts in our conversations, it's not necessary to use them in order to make our meanings clear. I was a Navy journalist for 24 years, and part of my job was to write about Navy events in a way that civilian readers would understand.

Conceptually, to deploy means to leave for another place. Since the context was established (talking about military husbands), she could simply ask if your husband FINISH LEAVE-FOR OTHER COUNTRY, HUSBAND WORK WHERE--HERE, OTHER COUNTRY/WAR OR, or something similar. In the Navy, we would probably ask HIS SHIP FINISH LEAVE-FOR.

For ranks, the most common signs are for CAPTAIN (like COACH) and SERGEANT. However, since the ranks/rates have different equivalents in each branch of service, it's probably better to spell the abbreviations, only after establishing that the other person knows what they mean. (A captain in the Navy is a senior officer, often the commanding officer of a base, unit, or ship; a captain in the Army is not a senior officer in command, so the COACH sign wouldn't be equivalent in concept.)

For active duty, there are several approaches. You can sign MILITARY ACTIVE, FULL-TIME, or MILITARY STILL/NOW, or RETIRED NOT-YET, for example, depending on context.

Within the deaf community, spelling and abbreviating is perfectly acceptable. If you spell something for which there is a common local sign, it will usually be pointed out to you by another signer.

Try to think concepts. Think how you would describe military terms to a civilian. Would you tell a civilian, "The CO is too busy with NJP's; trouble seems to be SOP at the 51st"? "Tell the XO that the Chief Boatswain went UA; we checked chiefs' mess, goat locker, sick bay, and brig--he must have gone ashore. When we find him, he's going to need more than his sea lawyer at mast."

Say, what? :lol:
 
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the other Army wife is hearing (we're in a signing class together). So from what I understand is that it's ok to use abbreviations when talking to another army wife and if I don't know a sign either re-word it into civilian terms or fingerspell
 
bjames492 said:
the other Army wife is hearing (we're in a signing class together). So from what I understand is that it's ok to use abbreviations when talking to another army wife and if I don't know a sign either re-word it into civilian terms or fingerspell
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Abbreviations are more than OK--they are commonly accepted in ASL communication. As long as everyone present knows what the abbreviation stands for, you're fine.

Remember, no matter who the other person is, civilian, military, whatever, you always sign conceptually. The only exception is names (people, places, organizations, streets), technical terms, and titles (books, movies, professions). Then, you spell it out. Also, spelling something is never wrong. Just be prepared to be able to explain the word if spelling the word isn't enough.

What signing level are you in? Have you taken any interpreter training courses yet?
 
I am in ASL III I haven't taken the interpreting courses yet I probably will in January
 
right where the free plane ticket? i wanna meet army brides, or bridesmaid (then propose) LOL
 
Flying here wouldn't help you much since there ain't many military girlfriends here
 
its always the jargon and specific words that has a totally different meanings then you know that always messes up your customers you working for. its alway best to get an idea how they want to proceed . learn new signs on the fly or fingerspell/sign the words and let the interpretee figure it out on thier own.

When I was in a MCSE classes, I had a few clueless terps and there were some that was willing to learn on the fly when I correct them the correct sign and otheers are just ... well.. trying to do thier jobs. Don't get me wrong- I am glad they are there, but sometimes I have to double think in my head what teacher is talking about with signs that is "off" and this gets very old fast. On the other hand, I wouldnt care less what was said if it was a casual setting and all I care is when is to be cued on things.

So that being said - its best to ask person you will be interpreting for. you can exactly find specific source of "correct" signs and its all learn as you go.
 
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