With debate, four speaking events including oral interpretation, original oratory, impromptu speaking, and extemporaneous speaking make up the competitive part of Cultural Convention. Each year the events are hosted at a different IASAS school. This year TAS was fortunate enough to host.
Oral interpretation (OI) is the ability to make a text or poem come to life through voice, expression and volume.
“[OI] is the kind of thing where your subconscious mind takes over while reading the piece. It’s like muscle memory; you don’t have to think consciously to recite the piece once you have locked in to the rhythm,” said TAS delegate Sanders McMillan (9). “I love that feeling.”
Compared to other Cultural Convention events, oral interpretation is “less stressful,” said JIS delegate Sean Widjaja (12).
In addition, participants are “able to choose their own piece,” said ISB delegate Sarah Ashley (10).
As opposed to impromptu speaking, where students are only given one minute to prepare a three-minute speech, oral interpretation is much more relaxed, since delegates are given several weeks to prepare before IASAS. Delegates thus have the opportunity to perfect their speeches further.
However, although OI might be less stressful then the other events, it still requires a great deal of focus and like every other event, has its restrictions.
Sanders, who participates in not only OI but also drama, said, “Hand, foot, and body movement was absolutely prohibited altogether, and facial expressions and head movement had to be controlled.”
ISB delegate Marian Spencer (12) believes, “trying to find a balance of facial expression,” is difficult.
Before presenting, most participants are “nervous,” said ISM delegate Young Sun Park (10), “[but] if you have confidence in your own [speech] and bring that energy level, then it’s fine.”
Despite her ability to look calm, Sarah’s heart beats very fast before presenting and she feels as though she has, “run a marathon.”
OI proves to be an exciting event with “vocal variety” and “interesting acting,” said ISKL delegate Stephanie Mcfeeters (11). She added, “It’s interesting to see what other people do.”
“I did poetry, which no one else really does, [because] I like the message it sends,” Stephanie said. Her two poems included I am waitingand Populist Manifesto #1, by Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
Ultimately, story telling and OI are no different.
“Everyone likes to be told stories! A great OI performance sucks you in the same way a great movie or novel does,” said TAS delegate Leah Grande (11).
2010 Cultural Convention proved to be as successful as previous years, if not more. All OI delegates were victorious at using expression and accent to bring their text to life and tell a story.
-Meg
Tags: Summary
