Lucy Horton

Portfolio Week 10
Simultaneous English to BSL Analysis Manpower
Company Video

Fingerspelling and Numbers

Fingerspelling is clear throughout the video, with accurate spelling of

names and words such as R-O-B-B-I-E and T-O-O-L-S. I chose to sign the
company name Manpower as MAN POWER. I am aware this is wrong
and it would have been more accurate to fingerspell the name, yet I felt
under pressure as it was simultaneous and was concerned about my
processing time so chose to sign this instead. In future videos, I will try
fingerspelling even if I may fall behind with the speaker, as I can try
intervals and catch up with the information. Also, while reflecting on this I
now realise I could have initialised this to M-P, as the audience would
know the company name since this is the last part of the job process. The
numbers used within the interpretation are accurate, yet not very clear.
For example, THREE is signed with the fingers closed, which may be
difficult to understand. Another production issue is the SECOND NAME.
The SECOND is signed with the fingers quite close together again as it
flows into the NAME sign and is also produced quite quickly. This may
not be clear for the audience. In future videos, I will aim to make my
numbers more distinct and easier to understand.

Vocabulary/Lexicon

One successful vocabulary choice I made was adapting the give us a call
to CONTACT COMPANY. This is more appropriate for Deaf workers
because it is more general, as they may access communicating with the
company in different ways, such as a Video Relay Service or emailing. I
also think the electronic i-9 form was conveyed clearly by signing I NINE
FORM, COMPUTER FORM. I was unsure what this term meant so could not
unpack it. Yet, as it was electronic and completed online, I think clarifying
it was a COMPUTER FORM was a good choice and the person would
possibly understand the meaning as they were in the last stage of the
process.

There is some repetition within the interpretation, particularly of the signs

COMPANY, CHECK and SUPPORT. I shall try to expand my vocabulary
for future interpretations to avoid this repetition. If I was to repeat this
task, I would also possibly place M-A-N-P-O-W-E-R/M-P COMPANY in the
signing space in front of my body, so that I could point to refer back to it
and reduce the repetition of the COMPANY sign. However, I think my
repetition of check is appropriate, as it is reinforcing the point.

Classifiers/Size and Shape Specifiers

 Lucy Horton

An example of classifiers and size and shape specifiers can be seen when
comparing the process to a journey through the jungle. I sign JUNGLE
and use my arms as classifiers moving past my head to signify walking
through the trees in the jungle. I think this is successful as it is visual and
matches the imagery shown within the spoken video, making it more
engaging for the audience and matching the humour.

Structuring Space

Structuring space is shown mostly through the use of a list on the hand
linking to the image in the video, explaining what each part means and
referencing back when giving further detail. This makes the information
clear and easy to follow. There could be a more visual way of structuring
space present within the interpretation, particularly when the different
parts of the job process are shown in the video on the map. I think I rely
on the video too much for the visual information which negatively impacts
my BSL interpretation. If I was to do this video again, I would outline the
map and establish the three different parts, showing travelling to each
part on the map. This would have been much more visual and conveyed
the speakers jungle comparison and humour more efficiently. I would also
consider listing the tools needed rather than gesturing at the video. This
is because it is quite lazy, and means the audience would not have to
constantly switch between watching me and the video throughout the
interpretation.

Furthermore, there is subtle placement of COMPANY and COORDINATOR

in front of the body which could be improved. This placement is a good
way to convey that the company is there and will CHECK things and
SUPPORT the audience. However, the placement moves from my left to
my right, therefore it is inconsistent and may make the information
confusing. When reflecting on this choice, I realise I have placed
COMPANY on my left when describing that they will check information,
which seems they are enforcing policies. Then, I place COMPANY and
COORDINATOR on my right, explaining to contact them if help or more
information is needed. I realised I have placed the more supportive and
positive aspects of the company on the right, and the stricter aspects
which may appear more negative on the left. Therefore, this may not be a
complete error and still make sense to the audience.

Grammar

There is good use of BSL grammar within the interpretation, particularly in

phrases such as ME BEEN SAME PROCESS, T-O-O-L-S NEED and CHECK
WILL. However, there are some English intrusions present. For example,
START JOURNEY which should have been JOURNEY START, and CANT
SAME SECOND NAME which could have been SECOND NAME SAME?
 Lucy Horton

CANT. Some formation of signs is hesitant, particularly the sign

ANSWER at the end of the video. The direction when moving one of the
hands is incorrect, so I try to correct this by adding in the correct
movement with one of the hands. Despite this attempt at a correction, it
is still not completely correct and makes the sign unclear. I need to be
more confident in future videos so that these errors do not happen.
Another false start happens when moving onto the second point of
employee paperwork. I begin to sign FORM as the written type, but
remember it is completed online, therefore change it to suit this format by
using the more general sign of a flat handshape and Y handshape. I
should have mouthed the word form or paperwork to make the sign
clearer.

Interpreting

My processing time was very close to the source text, but I chose to stay
close as the speaker is quite quick and enthusiastic so I did not want to
miss any important information. Furthermore, there were some visual
aids included within the video, so I wanted to be able to gesture to these
at the correct times. If I tried this again, I might change my processing
time to intervals so that I pull back and wait before producing the BSL
before catching up. Yet, still ensuring I catch up in time to gesture at the
visual pictures within the video. I also decided to omit some information,
such as 48 hours. This was because it was extra, unnecessary
information, and TWO DAYS was clearer. However, my eye contact is
very poor throughout, only glancing up at the camera once or twice. This
is an aspect that needs to be greatly improved.

There are attempts to convey the humour present within the English
source text, such as use of facial expression when comparing the process
to a journey. This is somewhat conveyed, yet not as effectively as I had
hoped as most of the humour is seen visually in the video through the
speakers costume and graphics, such as jungle leaves and maps. I
signed the jungle imagery and travelling through this with the use of
classifiers and facial expression successfully. However, after viewing this
again I would have signed putting on the safari clothes and hat when the
speaker changed into them. I now realise I had enough time to do this
and it would have been more humorous than just signing ME GUIDE
HELP.

A more successful inclusion of humour was the section signing LAST PART
NOT-FUN HONEST with an exaggerated grimacing expression and shrug
to try and relate to the audience. Also, I found interpreting once you
have cut through the employee paperwork difficult to interpret. I signed
ticking off that part of the list in an exaggerated manner to match the
tone, which I think worked well. However, this loses the humour of
comparing it to a journey through the jungle.
 Lucy Horton

Composure and Appearance

Overall, the appearance is appropriate, consisting of a plain dark top

which is not distracting for the audience. There is also no jewellery such
as rings or necklaces worn and the hair is tied back out of the face, again
not diverting attention from the signing. The composure is good, with
appropriate posture, as well as body movement and facial expression
relating to the speech rather than showing processing the information.

In conclusion, I feel that I conveyed the correct information and overall

message of the English speaker. This is presented with some correct BSL
grammar and good vocabulary choices which could relate to the Deaf
audience better. However, there are many improvements to be made.
For example, I believe the source text influenced my interpretation greatly
as I have very poor eye contact throughout and my interpretation has
English grammar intrusions. I also relied heavily on the video and the
images it showed. I could greatly improve this by structuring my space
more efficiently, such as by outlining the map and the three different parts
as well as listing the tools needed, therefore signing the images shown
within the video. I also think I would benefit from playing with my
processing time, using intervals instead. This would most likely improve
my BSL grammar so there would be less English intrusions.