Editor's Comments from The Reflector Vol. 1, Dennis Cokely
The title of this journal was not chosen lightly. The word 'reflector' has two popular meanings. The first refers to an individual who thinks about (i.e. reflects upon) issues, problems, significant questions and experiences. The second meaning refers to a device or vehicle for transmitting (i.e. reflecting) incoming stimuli. Both meanings were intended in selecting the title of this journal since they accurately describe its goals. The primary purpose of this journal is to provide a means of sharing or transmitting the thoughts, opinions and experiences of Sign Language teachers and interpreters.
The idea of this journal was inspired by Sign Language Studies. This journal, edited by Bill Stokoe, provided researchers with a means of sharing their research and their ideas since 1972. At about the same time, I became actively involved in Sign Language teaching and Interpreting. During the past ten years, I often wished that there was a similar journal devoted to Sign Language teachers and interpreters. I wanted a way to find out what other Sign Language teachers were doing, what problems and solutions other interpreters had and what both groups of professionals were thinking in general. This became especially important because of the tremendous growth in both fields during the past five years. In talking about this with other Sign Language teachers and interpreters, I found that they felt the same way.
In the fall of 1980, I felt that the time had come to begin serious preparations for publishing such a journal. Two factors contributed to this decision. The first was a series of conversations with colleagues at the NAD and RID conventions. The second was the dramatic response to the NSSLRT by people genuinely interested in sharing with each other. I first discussed the idea with my wife after the NSSLRT. She was most enthusiastic and supportive and quickly agreed to work with me and attend to the production and management aspects of the journal. I then discussed the idea with Bill Stokoe who was not only encouraging but also offered the benefit of his own editorial experience. Thus, with that encouragement and support, The Reflector was born.
Betty M. Colonomos Bio
Betty M. Colonomos, currently serving as Director of the Bilingual Mediation Center, is a fluent ASL/English bilingual. Her academic background is in Deaf Education/Speech Pathology (B.S.), Counseling (M.A.), Linguistics (Doctoral program). Betty holds the Masters Comprehensive Skills Certificate (MCSC) from RID. She was the second recipient of the Mary Stotler Award for excellence in Interpreter Education from CIT.
Betty has chaired and served on many national committees on standards and evaluation of interpreters and served as President of the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT). Ms. Colonomos has authored and appeared in video materials on interpreting and she co-authored (with MJ Bienvenu) videos on Deaf Culture, ASL Facial Grammar, and ASL Numbers. She worked as an International Sign interpreter for numerous conferences worldwide. Betty also consults with schools and the legal system as an expert on linguistic and cultural issues impacting the Deaf Community.
Betty is the developer of the Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI), which is the most widely used model in the U.S. for teaching cognitive processes in interpreting.
She teaches the Foundations of Interpreting Series for hearing, Coda and Deaf interpreters that combines study of the IMI with a Vygotskian approach to learning.
Betty is the creator of the Etna Project (2002 – present) held in New Hampshire and Maryland. The project is a series of retreats supporting a Community of Reflective Practitioners who are interpreters committed to their own growth as they seek to become agents for change in the field of interpreting.
Scholarship Fund for BIPOC Interpreters
BIPOC interpreters face challenges to be valued and recognized for their contribution to the field. BMC values these interpreters, offering scholarship funds for every seminar through donations from the interpreting community, BMC, and other supporters. We invite participation from our BIPOC colleagues.
Click here to contribute to the BIPOC Interpreter Scholarship Fund.
Scholarship Fund for Deaf Interpreters
Seminars conducted in ASL are designed to ensure that Deaf Interpreters have opportunities and choice of high quality professional development. Donations from the larger interpreting community and other supporters allow BMC to provide access to seminars for our Deaf Interpreter colleagues at lower cost.
Click here to contribute to the Deaf Interpreter Scholarship Fund.
Foundations of Interpreting
The Foundations of Interpreting Seminar Series provides insights into The Integrated Model of Interpreting and the processes we engage in while interpreting. Click here for more information on the series as well as a schedule of current seminars being offered.
Link to the Foundations of Interpreting page on Facebook!