Why I don’t assign “cold” material

AND WHY I MIGHT….

It is not uncommon for job applications, internship applications, and even credentialing exams (historically) to request samples of “cold” material interpreted. Given my understanding of communication, connection, and the interpreting process, I do not assign “cold” material. “Cold” work refers to the interpretation of materials that are randomly selected and viewed without any preparation, preview, or time to digest.

I’m not training students to be mindreaders, but rather to be meaning makers. Very rarely do I ever encounter truly “cold” material in my work as an interpreter. Some argue that VRS brings a ton of “cold” material, but I would argue we get information from a number of sources, the phone number, the fact that it is a phone call, repeat consumers, etc.

In preparing students for the “real” world, I want them to get what they need to do their work effectively. I want them to know who, what, when, where, why, and how….. I want them to advocate for knowing those elements to be able to interpret most effectively.

One instance I may use “cold” material, is to challenge their belief that interpreting is easy and/or that they already know how to do it. I would give them some experience of sweating it out and then talk about what they noticed and how they might be able to address those things (anxiety, heart, breathing, etc.)

When and why would you use (or not) “cold” material?

(originally published in Amanda’s Musings museletter, Volume 1, Issue 1, Feb 2023)