Quote:
Originally Posted by deafbajagal
Also, how do you really know what that client knows and doesn't know?
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It's not a matter of what you know and what you don't, it's a function of the language itself as HoHGuy explained really well. If there is no sign for "colonoscopy" and the interpretation is into pure ASL, expansion is necessary. It has nothing to do with second-guessing what the client knows; it's just how interpreters convey concepts that are not expressed by a simple sign in ASL.
Now, in that situation, here's how I would probably handle it. I would probably fingerspell the word and see if the client nodded or showed any sign of understanding. If not, I would segue into sign-supported fingerspelling and do an expansion on "colonoscopy." If at that point the client clearly doesn't understand, unless it's due to my signing, that is not my responsibility. At that point I agree it's up to the client to ask the doctor what it means. Then I can hopefully interpret the doctor's explanation in more depth.
Remember, interpreters don't get much of a chance normally to know all about your linguistic and other knowledge, unless we've worked with you before. So don't take expansion as an insult; it's something we're trained to do when we run up against things like technical jargon.