Interpreter dress code

Dennis · 01-08-2005, 01:46 PM

As an offshoot from another thread, I'm starting this one.

A poster on these forums stated that these women in the below picture "look like professional interpreters"

Quoting that poster:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Terps are supposed to wear clothing that is an easy contrast with the color of their skin, and not confusing for the eyes. That means, white terps wear black, navy blue, dark green, dark burgandy, dark gray. Black terps wear cream, pastels, beige. Terp clothes can't have stripes, flowers, polka dots, plaids, or any kind of "busy" pattern. Subtle patterns are OK. No long earrings, no bright nail polish, no bracelets or watches, only simple rings (not on every finger), no shiny fabrics, no visible tatoos, no long hair bangs, no bushy mustaches or beards, and no turtleneck sweaters. Nothing "distracting" is allowed. Also, terps have to be careful not to have anything too loose on their shirts, like loops or baggy pockets, because you can get "hung up" in them (it has happened to me). We have to be careful with our glasses, too. Sometimes they go into orbit with certain signs, ha, ha.

I usually wear long skirts or slacks while terping because I am either standing on a platform or sitting at the front of a room facing the audience or class. I don't want to offer any "free shows", if you know what I mean. My other preference is no sleeveless tops. I don't want people to see my upper arms flapping in the breeze while signing.

Of course, terps have to dress appropriate to the setting. That is, formal for church, court, and business meetings, or casual for sports events or industrial work places. At the college, I usually dress similar to the instructors.

The Deaf clients do not demand that. That is just what is normal professional appearance for terps. If a terp doesn't dress appropriately, then the clients can complain, and the boss will have a "talk" with the terp.

A few of our Deaf clients also have low vision, so we have to be even more careful about what we wear for them.

If you saw my clothes closet you would think I go to a lot of funerals, ha, ha.

For the most part, I agree with this poster. I would like to add that in my industry, there is some leeway for interpreters to wear "smocks" which are simply solid-colored jackets worn over their normal clothes. Depending on if the interpreter is a full time interpreter or if they're a part time interpreter, that will affect their attire.

I've worked with certified interpreters who are hired as admin assistants as their "day job" at the office. They are allowed to dress business casual, and as creative admin assistants tend to do, they dress creatively, often seasonally. Off the top of my head, I remember blue/black striped sweaters, white shawls, orange turtlenecks, white/navy plaid blouses, and green cardigans.

When an interpreter is needed, the certified admin assistant are called to do so with a smock if necessary. If their interpreting skills are needed in advance, they are informed and are expected to show up dressed appropriately.

I have seen them dress like the picture above with advance notice especially if someone like a company executive or a customer will be present, vs. a conference call where they're not seen and have to dress to impress.

***VamPyroX*** · 01-08-2005, 02:46 PM

You pretty much said everything. That's what I like on my interpreters. I have had a couple of interpreters in the past who wear horrible flashy clothes.

Angel · 01-08-2005, 02:50 PM

It really doesn't bother me what type of clothes any interpreters wear as long they have clothes on them ....

bbnt · 01-08-2005, 04:11 PM

If I had to use an interpreter I would prefer looking at a halter top and mini skirt

Levonian · 01-08-2005, 04:27 PM

I'd have to say that I'm with bbnt all the way on this one...

Angel · 01-08-2005, 05:24 PM

LOL...

Of course you guys rather to see that on any women for that matter!!...

Reba · 01-08-2005, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

Its up to terps whatever they want to wear, including ear pierce, nail polish, hair style, etc. We would lose terps if we kept on compaint about them all the time. (We need terps badly since we have few terps in Bavaria where we live) Terps here wear anything what they wants because it´s them, we learn to accept as they are also accept what I am, too.

Honestly, terps´s taste of clothes doesnt bother me because I accept what they are.

I guess each country is different. In the USA, professional terps are supposed to follow guidelines of appearance and behavior. The reason for dressing a certain way has nothing to do with style or personal preference. One reason is to make it easier for the Deaf client to see the signs clearly, and not get tired eyes. Another reason is to look professional, not like a volunteer terp from off the street. A third reason is to not embarress the Deaf clients in front of the hearing clients.

If a terp has a professional attitude, then he/she should not mind dressing appropriately.

If a client complains about the terp's appearance or behavior, nothing bad happens to the client. They don't "lose" terps. If the terp wants to keep working, the terp must make the changes.

Of course, a terp should never, never criticize the clothing of a client.

I am curious. How do you hire terps in Bavaria? Thru an agency, or as individuals in private practice, or ...? Who pays?

oakbluffs · 01-08-2005, 06:59 PM

I remember seeing a professional interpreters in action when I was a kid (mid-70s). They were wearing dark navy blue lab coats. I guess it was standard attire back then, right?

01-08-2005, 07:35 PM

I know for sure interps hate those "smocks", they'd rather wear something they like and match the standard clothing requirements for being on the job than to wear a fugly "smock".

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbnt

If I had to use an interpreter I would prefer looking at a halter top and mini skirt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levonian

I'd have to say that I'm with bbnt all the way on this one...

Yeah, yeah.. You'd find them in Utah!

Some of them even wear see-through blouses! Just ask RedTwister!

Reba · 01-08-2005, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deaf258

I know for sure interps hate those "smocks", they'd rather wear something they like and match the standard clothing requirements for being on the job than to wear a fugly "smock".

I have never had an assignment requiring a smock. Most terps prefer more professional attire now. A smock is OK in an emergency, if you don't have time to change clothes. Also, most adult clients now prefer to use terps that "blend in" better with the crowd and not look so "institutional".

Interpretrator · 01-09-2005, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

I have never had an assignment requiring a smock. Most terps prefer more professional attire now. A smock is OK in an emergency, if you don't have time to change clothes. Also, most adult clients now prefer to use terps that "blend in" better with the crowd and not look so "institutional".

I agree, I think smocks are pretty much a thing of the past, or at least that is what I have heard from people who have been interpreting for 20 or 30 years and have seen the profession change.

The above picture is very professional, but it definitely depends on where you are interpreting. In a business environment, that would be very appropriate. In a community college setting (where I mostly interpret), that would be too formal. I would feel really silly if I were dressed better than the teacher! I usually wear a black or dark blue plain T-shirt (no pockets, logos, etc.) and a pair of neutral-colored pants. However, if I were to interpret at a university, I would have to dress more formally, or so I hear.

Interpretrator · 01-09-2005, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbnt

If I had to use an interpreter I would prefer looking at a halter top and mini skirt

That just cracked me up. I have heard some INTERESTING stories about some interpreters who would have made you very happy!

Margie · 01-09-2005, 11:09 AM

I agree with you Reba,
Interpreters should dress in nice clothes that are comfortable.
They shouldn't wear alot or jewerly, especially alot of dangeling earrings,
bangel bracelets ect.
And if they have long hair, it shoiuld be put up in a nice bun out of the way.
I'm an interpreter myself,and I've seen one interprerter at GWC( Golden West College in Hunginton Beach CA), she got fired cause the deaf students compalined she was playing her hair and jewerly.
Margie
Dir. of Communication Services
OCDAC

Cheri · 01-09-2005, 11:59 AM

I had interpreters, who dresses nice and others dress normal. It doesn't bother me as long nothing too freaky.

Lnanaa · 01-09-2005, 07:31 PM

I agreed that interpreters should dress professionally since it is a job after all. One thing about the picture, I don't think interpreter should wear mini skirts or any skirts above the knee. Maybe it won't bother the deaf client but it can be distracting for others who can probably see "underneath."

Skirts lengths that pass the knee should be okay.

Interpreter should dress to blend in the environment such as the college university. I had a professor who came to class teaching with flip flops, beach shorts, and tie dye shirts.

I know I would feel out of place if the interpreter showed up too professionally dress for that class.

PowerWCRulez · 01-09-2005, 10:49 PM

Most an interpreter wear dark uniforms, designed help with a deaf and visually impaired see clearly.

maryks · 01-14-2005, 05:22 PM

So glad I found this discussion!! I am an interpretter for a church and several people (including the friend I interpret the most for!) have thought my concerns about dress were a bit strange at times... but I thought I remembered talking about dress in one of my classes. One thing I try to do... I stand in front of a mirror and sign a few phrases before I leave to interpret somewhere. If I can't follow a few phrases in the mirror, I know that my friend would have difficulty following me for a whole hour in whatever I had chosen to wear. Thanks all for the input!!

Ziusudra · 01-15-2005, 12:29 AM

I believe it's important what interpreters wear. I remember a teacher of the deaf talking to me about it a few years and we were discussing what kind of dress was appropriate for interpreters. I found colours that were not dark the most distracting because of their hands being blurred with the colours. It's not such a problem at a close distance but further away, it does get tiring. I have eye problems as well, so it is even more important to me.

However, most interpreters these days seem to ignore this and they wear whatever they feel like... which is a pain. The most professional interpreters I have seen are the ones that follow the dress code very carefully.

Mommyof3 · 01-15-2005, 01:01 AM

As long as she or he know how to wear Dress Code. I would like to see person wear nice clothes. Not need V shirt or Flash shirt to show off skin, don't wear Skirt too short, don't wear too makeup and perfume, and don't use Bright colored nail polish. It never happened to me before...(knock the wood). Mostly of them wear and show appropriate appearance and clothes.
Mommyof3

Ziusudra · 01-15-2005, 01:42 AM

What about tongue studs? I once had an interpreter with one, and it was kinda distracting with all the metal glinting and all that.

Reba · 01-15-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziusudra

What about tongue studs? I once had an interpreter with one, and it was kinda distracting with all the metal glinting and all that.

Personally, I think the terp should remove it during assignments. It is distracting to the client. Also, when the terp is required to speak for the Deaf client, the stud impedes speech, and can reflect negatively on the Deaf client.

Fly Free · 01-15-2005, 12:26 PM

tongue studs dont bother me -- i had this terp who has one but i LIKED her alot -- she was GOOD (and CUTE as hell) and she had the tongue stud -- very down to earth -- thats the kind of terp i generally like cuz theyre not so TENSE

ive had BAD BAD BAD terps

its usually those who were wayyy too tense, not fluid enuf with their ASL skills

Liebling:-))) · 01-15-2005, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

I guess each country is different. In the USA, professional terps are supposed to follow guidelines of appearance and behavior. The reason for dressing a certain way has nothing to do with style or personal preference. One reason is to make it easier for the Deaf client to see the signs clearly, and not get tired eyes. Another reason is to look professional, not like a volunteer terp from off the street. A third reason is to not embarress the Deaf clients in front of the hearing clients.

If a terp has a professional attitude, then he/she should not mind dressing appropriately.

If a client complains about the terp's appearance or behavior, nothing bad happens to the client. They don't "lose" terps. If the terp wants to keep working, the terp must make the changes.

Of course, a terp should never, never criticize the clothing of a client.

I am curious. How do you hire terps in Bavaria? Thru an agency, or as individuals in private practice, or ...? Who pays?

Interesting: It´s good that you want to keep your job as terps and respect your clients what you wear but for us is different. Terps would leave us if we demand too much from them and no respect etc.

Sorry for not response your post an earlier.

I talked a terp. & my friends about your post and need their feedback last week. They are total surprised and said that it´s too much demanding. The terp. said she understood that every countries are different. Her question: Would you wear like this during hot summer time?

She said that she will tell her clients to look for other terps if they do not sataisfy what she wear. My friends said that deafies should be glad that they have terps. around. Why demanding too much?

Honestly Reba, I order terps often for years due parent meeting, evenings, conference, lawyers, doctors, agreement contract, etc. etc. The kind/color of clothes, jewellery, hair, make-up etc. what terps wear is really doesnt bother me & my friends. I never heard any complaints against terp´s clothes until I read any posts here for a first time. (no offense).
I ordered terp last summer. She wore mini rock and t-shirt.

Yes, we hire terps thru agency. There´re professional and non-certifcated terps around. Agency do not accept "private" terps and would not pay me if I hire private terps.

The Agency have strict rules for terps except clothes what they should wear.
I apply my wish terp. to agency then they make an arrangement for me where I should meet, time, etc. etc. etc.

Agency cover terps cost:
Parent evening, meeting, conference, lawyer, rights, agreement contract with bank over house loan, notary, etc etc. except divorce........

Healthy insurance cover terps cost:
therapies,
contract agreement with doctor before an operation
important appointment with doctor over result etc

Court cover terps cost:
criminals, etc etc except divorce

No offense to everyone

Liebling:-))) · 01-15-2005, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Free

tongue studs dont bother me -- i had this terp who has one but i LIKED her alot -- she was GOOD (and CUTE as hell) and she had the tongue stud -- very down to earth -- thats the kind of terp i generally like cuz theyre not so TENSE

ive had BAD BAD BAD terps

its usually those who were wayyy too tense, not fluid enuf with their ASL skills

yeah, some of terps have tongue studs, eye-brow studs.

They look beautiful when they sign with tongue stud on it, also color nail polish with "diamond" on it. wwwoooww

Fly Free · 01-15-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

yeah, some of terps have tongue studs, eye-brow studs.

They look beautiful when they sign with tongue stud on it, also color nail polish with "diamond" on it. wwwoooww

ohhh yea nailpolish -- ack i DO NOT like those who uses RED nailpolish

im ok if they used neutral colors -- earth tones or clear is good with me pink can be acceptable if its not so BRIGHT PINK if u get the idea

TTT · 01-15-2005, 09:32 PM

Can I dress like Sharon Stone in movie Basic Instinct..???

I just need to uncross my legs.

Reba · 01-17-2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

Interesting: It´s good that you want to keep your job as terps and respect your clients what you wear but for us is different. Terps would leave us if we demand too much from them and no respect etc.

That is amazing. Terps at my company cannot refuse service to Deaf clients. We work for a business that serves the clients. It is our responsibility to please the clients. Clients do not need to please terps or terp business.

Quote:

I talked a terp. & my friends about your post and need their feedback last week. They are total surprised and said that it´s too much demanding.

Too demanding? That is surprising. It is really no big deal. Many businesses have dress codes for employees. Terping is the same. The code is for professionalism, and to make things comfortable for the clients. That is good business practice.

Quote:

Would you wear like this during hot summer time?

01-08-2005, 02:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 27,872	You pretty much said everything. That's what I like on my interpreters. I have had a couple of interpreters in the past who wear horrible flashy clothes. __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

01-08-2005, 02:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Angel ♥"Concrete Angel"♥ Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 19,088	It really doesn't bother me what type of clothes any interpreters wear as long they have clothes on them .... __________________ "When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is brought in our life, OR in the life of another." ~ Helen Keller

01-08-2005, 05:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Angel ♥"Concrete Angel"♥ Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 19,088	LOL... Of course you guys rather to see that on any women for that matter!!... __________________ "When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is brought in our life, OR in the life of another." ~ Helen Keller

01-09-2005, 11:09 AM	#13 (permalink)
Margie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 207	Interpreters should dress nice. I agree with you Reba, Interpreters should dress in nice clothes that are comfortable. They shouldn't wear alot or jewerly, especially alot of dangeling earrings, bangel bracelets ect. And if they have long hair, it shoiuld be put up in a nice bun out of the way. I'm an interpreter myself,and I've seen one interprerter at GWC( Golden West College in Hunginton Beach CA), she got fired cause the deaf students compalined she was playing her hair and jewerly. Margie Dir. of Communication Services OCDAC

01-09-2005, 11:59 AM	#14 (permalink)
Cheri Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,081	I had interpreters, who dresses nice and others dress normal. It doesn't bother me as long nothing too freaky. __________________

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01-08-2005, 04:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
bbnt King of all I see Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,513	If I had to use an interpreter I would prefer looking at a halter top and mini skirt

01-08-2005, 04:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Levonian Rattus Norvegicus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Research facility. Posts: 3,829	I'd have to say that I'm with bbnt all the way on this one...

01-08-2005, 06:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
oakbluffs Low-functioning Deafie Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oak Bluffs, MA Posts: 184	I remember seeing a professional interpreters in action when I was a kid (mid-70s). They were wearing dark navy blue lab coats. I guess it was standard attire back then, right?

01-09-2005, 07:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
Lnanaa Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 27	I agreed that interpreters should dress professionally since it is a job after all. One thing about the picture, I don't think interpreter should wear mini skirts or any skirts above the knee. Maybe it won't bother the deaf client but it can be distracting for others who can probably see "underneath." Skirts lengths that pass the knee should be okay. Interpreter should dress to blend in the environment such as the college university. I had a professor who came to class teaching with flip flops, beach shorts, and tie dye shirts. I know I would feel out of place if the interpreter showed up too professionally dress for that class.

01-09-2005, 10:49 PM	#16 (permalink)
PowerWCRulez Ubuntu Linux User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 789 Blog Entries: 1	Most an interpreter wear dark uniforms, designed help with a deaf and visually impaired see clearly. __________________ [] Astrospace IRC Chat clients [] Astrospace IRC Web [] Ubuntu Linux [] [] Personal Web & Scammer Alert List [] Wheelchairjunkie [] [] Updated: 9/10/2007 - SK3 is here! [] [] Avatar Pic: Ride on the bus [] [] MyMiniCity (Returned! Finally script working now) [] [] Play Pulltab game on facebook! []

01-14-2005, 05:22 PM	#17 (permalink)
maryks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 19	So glad I found this discussion!! I am an interpretter for a church and several people (including the friend I interpret the most for!) have thought my concerns about dress were a bit strange at times... but I thought I remembered talking about dress in one of my classes. One thing I try to do... I stand in front of a mirror and sign a few phrases before I leave to interpret somewhere. If I can't follow a few phrases in the mirror, I know that my friend would have difficulty following me for a whole hour in whatever I had chosen to wear. Thanks all for the input!!

01-15-2005, 12:29 AM	#18 (permalink)
Ziusudra The Cammy Fighter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 771	I believe it's important what interpreters wear. I remember a teacher of the deaf talking to me about it a few years and we were discussing what kind of dress was appropriate for interpreters. I found colours that were not dark the most distracting because of their hands being blurred with the colours. It's not such a problem at a close distance but further away, it does get tiring. I have eye problems as well, so it is even more important to me. However, most interpreters these days seem to ignore this and they wear whatever they feel like... which is a pain. The most professional interpreters I have seen are the ones that follow the dress code very carefully.

01-15-2005, 01:01 AM	#19 (permalink)
Mommyof3 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Do you need to Know? Posts: 304	As long as she or he know how to wear Dress Code. I would like to see person wear nice clothes. Not need V shirt or Flash shirt to show off skin, don't wear Skirt too short, don't wear too makeup and perfume, and don't use Bright colored nail polish. It never happened to me before...(knock the wood). Mostly of them wear and show appropriate appearance and clothes. Mommyof3

01-15-2005, 01:42 AM	#20 (permalink)
Ziusudra The Cammy Fighter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 771	What about tongue studs? I once had an interpreter with one, and it was kinda distracting with all the metal glinting and all that.

01-15-2005, 12:26 PM	#22 (permalink)
Fly Free Just me Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Wherever i want to be LOL Posts: 9,101	tongue studs dont bother me -- i had this terp who has one but i LIKED her alot -- she was GOOD (and CUTE as hell) and she had the tongue stud -- very down to earth -- thats the kind of terp i generally like cuz theyre not so TENSE ive had BAD BAD BAD terps its usually those who were wayyy too tense, not fluid enuf with their ASL skills

01-15-2005, 09:32 PM	#26 (permalink)
TTT Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MISSISSIPPI Posts: 435	Buttttttt Can I dress like Sharon Stone in movie Basic Instinct..??? I just need to uncross my legs.