asl_learner

My girlfriends interpreter has been doing something i disagree with and i need to know what you think. Ever since she came to our school she has been trying to correct our signs or like yesterday she tried saying that a sign we were doing wasint even a sign but i know four Deaf people that use it. does she have the right to correct my girlfriend when my girlfriend has been signing all her life? Please reply.
Thanks,
Daniel

Deafness

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Gemtun

The interpreter has no right to correct your girlfriend. She crossed the boundary lines. I would flip out if an interpreter corrects me. I will tell her or him that she/he has to stay within professional boundary lines.

Sometimes the interpreter does ask me why I am using this sign or whatnot but after I explain, the terp will usually say Cool and try to adapt to my style of signing while terping for me. Each terp is required to match the client's communication style, not the other way around.

sleepytaz

Interpreters shouldn't be correcting signs... because there are more than one way to do a sign... so it is the interpreter's job to accept the sign as it is, but as long they understood what it meant.

Reba

The interpreter should not correct a Deaf person's signs. If it is a sign that the terp doesn't know, or if the terp uses a different sign, the two of them should have a polite discussion to find understanding. The terp could say, "That is a new sign for me. I usually use this other sign for that concept. Can you please show me again, and give me some sentence examples how to use it? I will try to remember to use your preferred sign next time. Thank you for showing me something new."

The terp can use that Deaf's sign for that person. The terp can use other signs for other Deafs, if they prefer. There is much variation in signs, depending on regions, person's age, formal or casual, etc. Terps need to be flexible.

I am a terp, and I learn something new every day!

VamPyroX

Interpreters should not be correcting signs unless it's something that's completely out of the ordinary.

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Reba

I fogot to mention, that I never "correct" a sign but sometimes I do use new signs or classifiers, especially for technical topics that the student has not yet experienced. Usually I ask first, "Do you know a sign for _______ ?" If the student doesn't know a sign for that concept, then I will show the sign that I know, and ask, "This sign OK for you?"

VamPyroX

That's the proper way of doing it. I get that with my interpreters for my computer-related courses.

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Sweet_KJ

Oy, that interpreter obviously does not know that different regions have different signs, and s/he has no right to "correct" our signs.

TiaraPrincess

Yeah, I think it's wrong. I have talked to someone else who had that problem with an ASL professor who told the girl not to talk while signging. Geez! Definitely should talk to the interpreter and let her know. Complain to her boss if she doesn't change.

Nesmuth

I really hate it when anyone corrects the way I sign things or pronounce words. It really pisses me off.

Richard

Gemtun

How would a hearing person feel if he was told to change his accent or way of talking by an outsider?

There are many different signs for a word and I often meet deaf people from the East or South with different signs so we often compare notes and figure out what works the best.

I do get told that my signs are wrong or "outdated" whenever I visit East but I am comfortable with my own regional signing, if you know what I mean?

TiaraPrincess

Well, you know...I have an accent and I have recently found out that there are people who seems to repeat what you said in the correct pronunciation louder and with emphasis. It happens and just stupid people who don't know that we don't give a s-it or that it is much harder for us than it is for them. Some people can't stand to hear accents.

If people try to correct you just say thanks and explain why you don't care in a polite way or go on as if you don't care (don't notice). Hopefully they get the hint.

Tousi

TiaraPrincess....you said you have an accent. Do you mean accent as in you being a foreigner or access as in "deaf accent"?

TiaraPrincess

Yes. I have both . Some of it are attributed to lack of confidence. Though, you cannot tell where I am from at all because I don't have an accent that identifies easily where I am from. Most will think it's an accent while others who knows that I am deaf ahead of time will automatically think that it's just a deaf accent until they find out because I don't look foreign either. My aural rehab therapist told me that she thinks I have both while my audiologist thinks it's a deaf accent, but me knowing myself better I know it's not at all a deaf accent. Impossible. I can hear the differences in words pronunciation, but I can't repeat it back with Americanish accent. I thank my audie for being honest with me, but eh she knows me better and longer than my audiologist. Most people won't be honest about how I sound, but I do know from observing. Yeah, I can be mysterious, and I know I have bad days with my voice/speech too . I was told by 2 teachers that I spoke like an American. I was like ummm.....right. It won't hurt my feelings to hear the correct thing. Glad to confuse people . Until then, where I am from remains a mystery.--wink--..........lol


-----------------------------Where's Waldo?---------------------------------------

Tousi

Ahhhhh,is Mademoiselle TiaraP French? Or is Fraulein Tiara German? Or is TiareP a stiff-upper-lipped Brit? Or perhaps she is a senorita?

Margie

Hi Daniel,
If your girlfriend is an interpreter and shes been signing all her life, no one can has the right to tell her that what she signed was wrong.
The deaf know whats a sign and whats not.
I've known ASL now for 29 yrs and proud of it!!
Your girlfriend should not worry about what other people say.
I'm on you and your girlfriends side!!!
Margie
Dir. of Communiation Services
OCDAC( Orange County Deaf Advocaity Center.)

lilredridinhood

I would probably end up walking out of the class if an preter did that to me.

Tarafied

I think that's terribly rude. I'm hearing, so can't really say much in the way of interpreters though. But imagine if someone said a word I didn't recognize. I wouldn't just say bluntly, "That's not even a word". No, I would say something like, "I'm not familiar with that word. What does it mean?".

I think the way the interpreter handled it was just outright rude.

asl_learner

My girlfriend is almost 22 and Deaf so that means she's been signing for what 19-20 years i think that that gives her more knowlidge of the signs then her terp will ever have because my girlfriend requires ASL as a way of communication not just something she wanted to lern as a hobie am i correct? Thanks,
Daniel

TiaraPrincess

Yes, you're correct.

racheleggert

I agree that terp shouldn't critize deafie's ASL skill.... I and terp always have discussion on how to sign for "__________" they learn from me.. such as Bemedji, MN is "B" on nose, you know like boring... Some of terp like mine at school spell words but I told her theres sign for that word so she said oh ok.. Some ppl who learn ASL ask me how to sign words.. last weekend I met some student senators who are taking ASL or know some or fingerspelling, so I help them instead of critize them. They said oh now I remember or oh its new for me!!!

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ktdid2

i didn't grow up deaf, so i'm still learning a lot about ASL and some of what i learn comes from the terps that i meet at different events. usually though, i double check the signs with my Deaf tutor at school so that I know whether or not it's correct in the Deaf community.

i definitely agree that the terp in this situation did not handle the situation at all well. but i'm curious...how is your girlfriend going about solving the problem? does she have a different interpreter now? as far as my own experience (which i admit is very limited) is concerned, most terps will (and should) adjust to the style of the person they are translating for.

hope things are better for your girlfriend though and that something is being done...otherwise, the terp might assume it's ok for her to do that all the time.

je_suis_chic

Daniel, that's not cool. Your girl friend should have skoooooed that terp!

javapride

Suing isn't a resoultion a request for another interperter is better, and i myself is an pending certified Deaf Interperter and i know its under the code of ethics to respect boundries as a interper's professional job and not to criticize anyone's signs. that interp should get a repremand and contact the agency hired her for her interp needs and request another interperter. simple said simple done. that will teach the other interp a lesson abt crossing the lines.

falconer07

Thats really not cool. That terp doesn't realise that ASL is a fluid language, its changing all the time. Its also different wherever you go. My deafie cousin from CA came to Minnesota and he told me that we sign oldly here. (?!) Apparently we in minnesota are just old fashioned. back to subject though... Terp definetly going across the line with correcting signs.

Mommyof3

No way... An interpreter can't tell u what to do or change your own signs. No way.. she doing wrong.. Pls report her boss about her poor job so they can give her "friendly warning" In my experience, it is never happen to me but mostly of them will ask nice and say it again which they might never see my signs before. I will do again and she or he will tell to Hearing person what i say and She or he will tell him/her Go ahead to talk. Sometime before Meeting, An Interpreter will ask me if I prefer ASL, English, or SEE so i let her or him know.

Next time dont bring her along again and have ur report to her Boss about your complain.
Mommyof3

Mommyof3

I suggest few things for you:

1. U get know about an interpreter and feel so comfortable with her or him. Like her or his background and skills of signs such as ASL or English. Her or his professional job and communication with you.

2. Ask her or him about business card for yourself to keep for your next appointment or meeting. Sometime An interpreter will pass you few more business cards if you meet Dr or Whoever and give that person to have them call an interpreter. Also sometime u dont have to say but your choice to inform them that You want for example: Jane Smith an interpreter to be there for you. So they will know you feel comfortable and easy fast way to give out of her name and phone number than have them call Interpreter Service. Sometime it is Con for deaf ppls like they dont know who will be interpreter for you @ DR or meeting. U will find that you are not happy or not comfortable with her for reason like lousy signs, not nice person or whatever. Pro is You meet many interpreters as much you want and get know them which you might like her or him come in next time as you have her business card.

3. You will give out your time and date that you are opening during week. For example: My time will be open for M-8 am to 10 am T-Work W-9 am to 11 am etc. So Dr or Meeting Rep will know your opening and will give An interpreter that you are opening so she or he will look her or his time to match. So they will give you a call back to confirm appt. Con is If you dont let them know about your openings which might an interpreter wont able to come in to be there so Rep will call u back then u might change your time and date then Rep call back to Interpreter to make confirm the date and time. Waste time for Call back and Back again. Pro is U give out your date and time for your openings so Rep will know your openings. It is fast way and save Time.

4. Sometime u can ask Interpreter to see if she or he will available for you anytime such as Hosptial after hours or Other Reasons. She or he will tell u Fine with her so you will know that Interpreter can come in for you. Sometime she or he will say No to you cuz of Family, Limited Hours, or whatever Reasons. Con is Hosptial sometime won't call an interpreter for you cuz it is last min to walk in or go in ER or don't know any of names with Interpreter to contact. Waste time. Pro is you have her or his name on business card and pass to Nurse so she can call interpreter to come in as fast service.

5. Sometime you can ask your interpreter to get his or her boss name and phone number IF He or She know alot about ADA or Complain from DR or Interpreter service for lousy job, rude or whatever reasons. So you wont have to ask around or wonder who to contact with.

6. Get local interpreter to get easy to drive to appointment at dr or meetings cuz it will make you feel less waiting too long in wait room. Long Distance interpreter is more harder cuz long drive, cost mileage, cost hourly and won't make time in your reasons as ER @ Hosptial or whatever.

I hope that is help information with you and your g/f as next time!

HoneyShot

Hmmm, this thread reminds me of something that happened few weeks ago.

There was terp who asked me what one of my signs meant, so I told her, and she said that's wrong - just like terp did to the girlfriend mentioned in this thread. I said no it's not it's just different one. She told me I should only use the most common one for that word, so people understand easy. I told her no, I am always happy to teach people the sign I use if they don't already know it, but I won't use the other one, even though I know it too, because it is offensive for me personally because it is disrespectful to some of my family. She rolled her eyes & ask "why???" So I explain that sign she used is more commonly used still, but is old sign. The word was 'Jewish', you see, and some of my family get very hurt seeing and knowing that old sign in NZSL for Jew is mimick of hooked nose stereotype. She understand then, and was happy to use my sign with me, for respect. So I thank her for that, but firstly she was really rude and told me I was wrong to sign different from most common used sign, until I persisted in explaining why. If I didn't keep trying to get my point across like that, then she wouldn't have realised why it was important and would have thought it was ok for her to chastise me on using the sign that is appropriate for that meaning within my community just because she didn't know it before meeting me.

She said that she always thoguht that Deaf not care about PC much, or if a sign looks offensive or not, and that she read that Deaf think change of ethnic or religious signs that were offensive is not needed. I told her some Deaf probably might think so, sure, and that's ok for them, but we are just like everybody else and most don't like to knowingly hurt people either, so I just personally prefer to use sign that isn't hurtful or a sensitive issue for people I love. She said she never thought of it like that!?!?!

I think if a terp behaves like this, it is important to persist in making it firm that we have right to use our signs, not only ones they are most familar with. If it is done politely but clearly, then they usually get the message, and it's ok. In the end she thanked me, but it took some explaining first for her to turn around on that opinion!