Communication is what being an interpreter for the deaf is all about.
It can take interpreters years to learn to sign quickly enough to translate
another person's words.
Sometimes interpreters find it next to impossible
to keep up. In many instances, they find they need to condense or reduce a
person's words. That makes them more efficient without changing any of the
meaning. This is a skill that can take a lot of practice.
Here's your
chance to start. The following passage is an old speech made by former President
Bill Clinton. Try to reduce the text as much as possible. The original is
179 words long. Try to make your version 150 words or less.
Hint: look
for little words that can be removed first.
We
came to this summit committed to chart a course for the NATO alliance for
the 21st century, one that embraces new members, new partners and new missions.
Here
we committed NATO first to fulfill its mission of collective defense with
the ability to meet new security threats. Second, to remain open to new allies,
and to seek stronger partnerships with nations all across Europe, Central
Asia, and obviously including Ukraine and Russia.
We've also reaffirmed
our determination repeatedly to intensify our actions, military and economic,
until we achieve our objectives in Kosovo. On this, the alliance leaves Washington
more united even than it was when we came here.
Meanwhile, we will
stand by the neighboring countries that have accepted risks and hardship in
support of this effort. If Mr. Milosevic threatens them for helping us, we
will respond.
And we will work to support democracy and development
in the region so that the forces pulling people together will be stronger
than those pulling them apart, and all nations, including someday a democratic
Serbia, can join the European mainstream.