NAJIT Academy: What does “understanding” mean?

“Understanding” meaning in context is not as easy as most people imagine it to be. Language processing is a highly complex cognitive process. This webinar will examine some of the most salient theories about language meaning and understanding. Attendees will become familiar with the practical applications of theory to the practice of interpreting and get a clearer sense of how the Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals process the meaning of an interpreter’s rendition. Examples will include the legal, healthcare, and education domains.

 

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this webinar, attendees will be able to:
1- Recognize some of the major theories in language studies that address meaning and
understanding;
2- Identify the practical applications of semantic and pragmatic meaning to the practice
of interpreting in various domains;
3- Articulate in their own words the difference between “understanding” an utterance an
“knowing” what a word means.

 

Presenter Bio

Janis Palma has been a federally certified English-Spanish interpreter since 1981, NAJIT-certified as an English-Spanish interpreter and translator since 2004, and has been teaching judiciary interpreters at all levels since 1986. She holds a PhD in Language Studies, a Master’s in Legal Studies (MLS), a Master of Arts (MA) in Puerto Rican and Caribbean History and Literature, and is currently working towards a PhD in Rhetorics, Communication and Information Design at Clemson University. She draws from her self-guided studies as well as formal education in language, literature, and the law, for course contents and publications that she carefully designs to provide interpreters with new and
different topics intended to further their knowledge, skills, and professional expertise.