Read, Reflect & Assess Yourself: It’s Good For All Of Us And Improves Us All

Read, reflect & assess yourself: it’s good for all of us and improves us all

Opposites Attract or I didn’t know he was my enemy because he’s the coolest guy I know. ....Huh?

Raise your hand if you come to tumblr (at least my side of tumblr) to get away from the craziness of life. Yeah. Me too. Let’s face it. You’d have to be literally living under a rock to not notice how divided the US has become and to be honest, it’s exhausting…so tumblr.

It’s cool how most of us seem to get along here. Don’t ya think? And yet, if truth be known, we have a plethora (favorite word since “Three Amigos”) of differences. Yep. We really are a rag tag assemblage of all letters of the alphabet, age, experience, and represent all spots along the spectrum of politics, religion, education, etc. You may not believe that but it really is true. Many a time I’ve been intrigued by something someone posted and went to examine their blog only to find they are well outside of my comfort range in one or more of the areas above. And that always makes me stop and reflect. Always.

Without knowing we are so opposite, I center on something you’ve said (posted) as being awesome. For me that’s usually a post which suggests you have a warped sense of humor… just like moi. *grins* Then, after investigating your tumblr lair, I find out about your “dark side.” Hmm. Does that mean I can no longer think you are awesomely sarcastic and/or punny?? That I’d love to spend an hour over a glass of sangria with you trading quips and rolling our eyes as we groan in concert? Dude. What a horrible (and frankly boring) existence this would be if that were true.

Do you know what an echo chamber is? Pretty much what it sounds like. “Sounds like”.. “echo”.. get it? I say something and the same thing comes back at me. This is pretty cool when you’re on a cliff edge or in a cave… at least until the bats come for you. And I get that in life we do like to hang out with folks who have a similar worldview as our own. Truly. I get it. Me too. BUT.. THAT SHOULD NOT MEAN WE DESPISE EVERYBODY ELSE UNCONDITIONALLY. I typed that in CAPS cause I think it’s important… not because I’m yelling at you virtually. From the D/s standpoint, it would be like saying I refuse to speak to, listen to, be in the same room with, or certainly become friendly with ANY sub who doesn’t like bondage. I mean, I may not understand them but it would be silly to wipe them from my mind like shaking an etch-a-sketch. Right?

And another thing to consider… this one is tougher so only the strong should continue reading….

(Glad you could make it..*smiles*) One more piece about being in an echo chamber…If you are old enough to read my NSFW blog, and most especially if you have children, you have to know that it’s extremely possible that one day your own words will come back to bite you in the ass. Am I wrong? No. I didn’t think so. This does not mean that I am attacking whatever your current viewpoints are about life, the universe, and all things sparkly. It means that the human brain is meant to grow.. think… experience… think… change… experience… adapt… and so on. What I believe today may not necessarily be the thing I believe tomorrow. And that’s okay. Trust me. So just don’t get so 100% hung up in your own point of view. You may not have the same one tomorrow.

Damn. This blog turned out really long. But the message is short. Don’t be a close-minded ass. Most everyone has some element about them to which you might connect. If you’re lucky enough and open enough to recognize those elements embrace them. Period. End of story.

#Pineapple Does Too Belong On Pizza

Happy Trails my crazy ass friends!

~Ginger

How Interpreters Juggle Two Languages at Once

For most of history, interpretation was mainly done consecutively, with speakers and interpreters making pauses to allow each other to speak. But after the advent of radio technology, a new simultaneous interpretation system was developed in the wake of World War II. In the simultaneous mode, interpreters instantaneously translate a speaker’s words into a microphone while he speaks, without pauses. Those in the audience can choose the language in which they want to follow.

On the surface it all looks seamless, but behind the scenes, human interpreters work incessantly to ensure every idea gets across as intended. And that is no easy task.

It takes about two years of training for already fluent bilingual professionals to expand their vocabulary and master the skills necessary to become a conference interpreter. To get used to the unnatural task of speaking while they listen, students shadow speakers and repeat their every word exactly as heard, in the same language. In time, they begin to paraphrase what is said, making stylistic adjustments as they go. At some point a second language is introduced. Practicing in this way creates new neural pathways in the interpreter’s brain and the constant effort of reformulation gradually becomes second nature.

Over time, and through much hard work, the interpreter masters a vast array of tricks to keep up with speed, deal with challenging terminology and handle a multitude of foreign accents. They may resort to acronyms to shorten long names, choose generic terms over specific, or refer to slides and other visual aids. They can even leave a term in the original language while they search for the most accurate equivalent.

Interpreters are also skilled at keeping aplomb in the face of chaos. Remember: they have no control over who is going to say what or how articulate the speaker will sound. A curve ball can be thrown at any time. Also, they often perform to thousands of people and in very intimidating settings, like the UN General Assembly. To keep their emotions in check, they carefully prepare for an assignment, building glossaries in advance, reading voraciously about the subject matter, and reviewing previous talks on the topic.

Finally, interpreters work in pairs. While one colleague is busy translating incoming speeches in real time, the other gives support by locating documents, looking up words and tracking down pertinent information. Because simultaneous interpretation requires intense concentration, every 30 minutes the pair switches roles. Success is heavily dependent on skillful collaboration.

From the TED-Ed Lesson How interpreters juggle two languages at once - Ewandro Magalhaes

Animation by @rewfoe

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mixrpixr

2 years ago