Quote:
Originally Posted by HoHGuyOhio
Expansion is very much a part of the interpreting (not transliterating) process, and ASL interpreters are not the only ones who do it. Expansion usually happens when interpreting from a low-context language (English) to a high-context language, ASL (and various other spoken languages). Interpreting from English to Spanish...the grammar is different, but by and large there are word equivalencies. Even with medical terminology, there is a Spanish word for even very long medical words (colonoscopy = colonoscopia). But there is not a single sign for the English word colonoscopy. Sure you can fingerspell it, but that isn't interpreting. It's a transliteration of the English word. In order to INTERPRET the phrase in which the word "colonoscopy" is used, you need to unpack the meaning. This is one reason an interpreter needs to UNDERSTAND the message they're interpreting fully. You can't really offer an equivalent ASL interpretation if you can't understand what's being said.
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You brought up some really good points. And you are exactly right about the transliteration vs. interpretation. However, there are many medical terms that the interpreter may think she/he knows its meaning but really doesn't. (I'm playing as a Devil's Advocate here, not necessarily disagreeing). What if she/he expands the meaning but it is incorrect? That's where I think the client needs to say, "Excuse me, Doc. Can you explain to me what a colonoscopy is?" It is the same thing as if a hearing person hears the word "colonoscopy" but doesn't know what it means. It is that person's responsibility to ask the doctor to describe what the procedure is. It is the interpreter's responsiblity to make sure it is fingerspelled correctly and if expansion is needed, to make sure it is correct. Also, how do you really know what that client knows and doesn't know? It is likely I have more medical training than most of the ASL interpreters. Thanks for responding
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