Interpretrator

That is a really good one! (And here I thought I had only one universal complaint...ha ha.) This is definitely on both hearing and deaf. I can understand it more from the deaf point of view, because someone can talk for a relatively long amount of time (as in Reba's great example) without saying ANYTHING. But hearing people should be able to SEE that I've only made, say, two signs before they get up to leave, assuming everything has been interpreted and understood.

Here's something else this train of thought led me to. Sometimes I think deaf clients need to use more obvious "I understand" body language and/or interact with the hearing client more directly. Example (a composite of course): a teacher comes over to explain something directly to a deaf student in a computer course. It's a fairly long explanation and the teacher is either intimidated or educated enough to give me all the time I need to sign the explanation. The student gets it and nods slightly. I know the student well enough to know this can be interpreted as "yes, I understand, thanks." The teacher stands there for a second, feeling a mismatch between the student's response and my interpretation.

I think this goes along with the students who direct questions at me when they really mean to ask the teacher (different from the ones who ASK me questions). Because some students will look at the teacher, nod, smile, thumbs-up, all those indicators that the information has been processed. I don't think hearing people are comfortable with more subtle forms of expression and probably don't believe the student has really understood.

Deafness

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Interpretrator

Here's another one for hearing people: trusting the interpreter to do her job. I was in a class where the teacher had never worked with deaf students and interpreters before and I must say did do a pretty good job trying to adapt to what ended up being an awkward class set-up. Now it so happened that there were a mix of deaf students in the class, some who really didn't care about the class and others who had some processing problems. For both reasons, they rarely got their assignments right or on time.

The teacher then, without asking the students about this, jumped to the assumption that my team and I must not be interpreting right. She asked us to say exactly what she said...in English...while we were interpreting into ASL. So she could hear her vocabulary. Now this teacher doesn't know anything about setting up vocabulary words in sign, or about the major limitations of sim-com, or the total impossibility of speaking in English and signing in ASL at the same time, or any of these technical things, which we now had to stay after class and work out with her so that she understood why this was flat-out impossible.

But the more important part of it, which we couldn't really come out and say politely, is that this teacher just didn't trust that we were doing our jobs. Any failing on the part of the students had to be because of the interpretation. This was pretty insulting on several levels as you can imagine, especially when I had one of the same students in another class and the teacher went right to HIM to ask why his assignments weren't on time, etc.

Similar things have happened in smaller ways ("how did you interpret what I just said?" What am I supposed to do...show her the signs??) but this was the worst example. And honestly the teacher meant well, but it remains a pet peeve.

ayala920

This may just happen with me because of the situation in which I work (a treatment facility for mostly high school aged kids), but I get blamed by the students a lot when they screw up. For example, they'll claim not to have known they had a test or assignment due, and one student actually blamed me when he forgot his paper, telling the teacher he'd given it to me to hand in for him!

Luckily for me, the teachers I work with are pretty bright and don't buy it. It also helps when there are other deaf students in the class saying, "What are you talking about? She said that twice yesterday!" Makes me feel a little better.

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~Ayala~


"Most English-speaking people...will admit that cellar door is 'beautiful', especially if dissociated from its sense (and from its spelling). More beautiful than, say, sky, and far more beautiful than beautiful. Well then, in Welsh for me cellar doors are extraordinarily frequent, and moving to the higher dimension, the words in which there is pleasure in the contemplation of the association of form and sense are abundant."

Liebling:-)))

Good thread here.

I am glad to have interpreters around here to share their posts here with us...

Now I have a question for you all.

We ordered an Interpreter via Agency to interpret for us at kindergarten that's time Alan was 3 years old. She interpreted the communicate between my hubby and me and 2 supersivors. During meeting, 2 supersivors both stopped and discussed something each other. I noticed that Interpreter sat and listen 2 supersivors "discussed" something and did not interpret us. I asked her why she didn't interpret for us what they discussed about. She answered that it's not her obliagtion to interpet us because they both talked each other, not to us directly. I was like and stopped 2 supersivors immediately and told them that it's not fair because we can't hear what they talked about. Supersivors apologized us and told us that they thought Interpreter would do it for us because it's open talk during meeting. Interpreter explained them that it's not her obligation to interpret us when 2 persons talked each other instead of talk to us directly... huh? I can see from Supersivor's impression that they was like huh? and accepted to repeat their discussion to us directly for an Interpreter to interpret us.

After conversation over, I told Interpreter that she is paid to interpret for us because she can hear. We have the right to know what they talk about during meeting. She choose to ingore us and walk away. Few hours after that, we reported Agency with complaint about her. Unfortunlately, Agency gave her right. I told them that it's not normal because interpreters are paid to hear and interpret for us during meeting. I told them that it's new to me after many years with different interpreters. Agency said that they can understand and can't do anything against rule but it's nice of interpreters to make voluntarily to interpret for us. I asked them to cancel her name in our list. Agency respect our wish without ask us further question.

I befriend with few of interpeters, they strict to separate their duty as interpreter and private person. Of course I asked them question about this situation. I was like when they explained what Agency and Interpreter said is correct accord interpret rule but they would not do that to deafies because they feel it's unfair because they can hear, deafies can't hear. It's their voluntarily to interpret us what 2 people discussed each other during meeting. I told them that I disagree to this because I "pay" them to interpret for me..., not for them. *sigh*

We order other interpreters... Supersivors feel good that Interpreter can interpet anything what they talked about, no matter either they talk to us direct or not.



Would you do nothing but listen their discussion until they agree then talk to us? It's just my curious question.

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Liebling:-)))

Yes I second that.

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Liebling:-)))

wow, I would like to ask you question...

Who cover the cost of your loss when she/he cancel the appointment in last minute for no reason? She/He or Agency?

Agency for interpret rule here in Germany.

We are obligate to cancel our appointment within 24 hours before appointment. If we cancel like what you mentioned... we have to pay interpreter cost for loss by our pocket money, not Agency... But with emergencies is a different story.

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Liebling:-)))

I have no problem to chat with any interpreters during waiting room... something like that...

how you learn to sign, married, children, holiday, etc... in general way....


Before or After appointment, we went to cafe and have chat when we have time... *strug*

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LinuxGold

I think I know few wish list that Interpreters would *LOVE* to have, something that they will *NEVER* get. Transparency to the hearing people providing voice, perfect and illustrative visual aid without any mistake, custom made for that specific deaf client and show differently to each deaf client according to their reception levels. And become a "visual aid tool only" to deaf client(s) in a way that they can't ask questions to visual aid tools without talking to the targeted audience.

Now with these "impossible" wishlist abeforementioned, is there a way that we can "optimize" as close as possible to these "impossibles"?

Preparation (repeat if you have to, I know it's pain in the butt, but to save your time in later time):
1.) Coach to the hearing person before interview, classes and so on that *YOU* are transparent and that *YOU* are NOT responsible for deaf client actions. ALL communications *WILL* be directed to that deaf client and NOT to expect any answer from an interpreter by themselves. Give them an example "Do you expect an answer from air?" If deaf client happen to meet different hearing person and that hearing person talks to you concerning deaf client, just don't tell him "You have to talk to that person" just immediately interpret to that deaf client. I LOVE it when an interpreter do that, makes me show my true color. "Tell him who? *looks around* who are you talking about?" (If first timer I would go as this) "heh, sorry, I was kidding. Just talk to ME directly as if I'm hearing." If that person presist few times, then I would say "Him who?"

2.) "It is wise to study one's adversary" I'm sure you all already had this experience, analyze one's level(s) and to adapt. If more than one deaf client is in present and their levels are incompatible to each other (i.e. English buff and ASL only without grammar knowledge) then what is the soluiton to this scenario?

3.) Becoming visual aid to deaf client(s), instruct them the same way you did to hearing person. "Do you ask air to review what went on for you?" or something like that.

LinuxGold

This might be a good illustration: SR-71 spy plane.

SR-71 is the stealthy, black and fast spy jet used by military to take snapshots over strategic points. Imagine this, SR-71 flying overhead and you can see it flying by so fast, but you can't hear it *yet*. After few seconds later, you start to hear or feel sonic boom. You can't expect to feel sonic boom immediately after you saw it flying by. The true is the same with sound to visual transition. You are the "sonic boom" and speaker is the "jet" that deaf client see.

Etoile

Oh my god, no! That interpreter was totally inappropriate. Even if somebody is having a private conversation - if the supervisors are whispering and clearly trying to have something in private - if I can hear it, I will interpret it. Sometimes the deaf client can see they are whispering, but I can't hear it, and they will ask me what they're saying. Then I will just say "they are whispering and I can't hear, it must be something private between the two of them." But if I can hear it, I will interpret it. Of course if I can't hear and it is something being addressed to the deaf client, then I will ask them to speak up. But private conversations that I can't hear are...well, they are private!

But I think that interpreter you had was completely wrong in not interpreting what the supervisors said to each other.

Reba

Exactly!

Reba

This used to bother me, especially when I was a newbie terp. If a student got a bad grade, or dropped a class, I would doubt myself and wonder if it was somehow my fault, and the student didn't do well because of my inadequate interpreting.

My "epiphany" happened when I realized that the same student dropped another class that was interpreted by the most highly skilled, very experienced, multi-certified primo terp at the agency. Bing--light bulb on! It wasn't me--it was the student! (Just like hearing students, not every student is a good "match" for every subject or every instructor's teaching style; also, not every student, hearing or Deaf, is college material.)

I still do a lot of self-evaluation and critiqueing. It also helps to get feedback from team members.

Reba

The person who made the terp appointment pays. For example, if it is a school assignment, the school pays. If it is a medical appointment, the doctor pays. If it is a work place assignment, the business pays. The Deaf consumer normally does not pay.

Liebling:-)))

Yes, I have different interpreters who interpret when they heard "whispering" or parents´s "gossip" during break time. I do not expect them to interpret for me because they are not pay for that but it´s really nice of them thoughtful of us deafies... but during meeting is a different story... That´s why I requested Agency to cancel her in my wish list. I haven´t hire her for 7 years now after hired her for a first time... Agency asked me once to hire her because nobody have time for my appointment. I said NO and make a new appointment with school, lawyer, etc. until my wish interpreters have free... They arranged the appointment for me... I´m satisfy and happy to have my wish interpreters around... who tell me everything what they hear... It´s interesting new what hearies talking about...

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Liebling:-)))

Do you mean that school, doctors, lawyers, etc pay you for the person who can´t make up in last minute because of that "cold weather"? If yes, I do not agree to this because it´s unfair of them to pay you because a person choose to cancel due weather condition, not them.

We have to cover the loss of interpreter´s cost because we choose to cancel in last minute for no reason... We have to learn our lesson for not play on interpreters for nothing.

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Reba

I would like to be able to "chat" with a Deaf consumer prior to an appointment. It would help me become familiar with that person's signing style, preferences about voicing, regional differences, etc. Unfortunately, many people take offense at the most seemingly innocent questions, and act like the terp is interrogating them for personal secrets. Beyond the weather and traffic, there isn't much that is "safe" to discuss with a new consumer.

The other problem that is common, is that the Deaf consumer shows up just in time for the appointment, and we are quickly whisked into the office without even time to make introductions. There is no time to get to know the Deaf consumer, and no time to "brief" the hearing client about the "how to" of the interpreting process. Then, when the meeting is over, every one dashes off, zoom!

Liebling:-)))

Oh dear, I´m sorry... I can´t image after read your post here. *sigh* I wish interpreters and deaf consumer should have time each other until they get familiar as human instead of see interpreters as "signing machine". I´m glad that you made your public post here to share with us. I hope deafies will see the sense after read your post here.

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Reba

Sigh...I "wish" that was possible. I almost never get to meet privately with the hearing client before the assignment; not even for 30 seconds. People schedule themselves down to the minute. Even classroom instructors show up, drop their books on the desk, and start lecturing immediately.


That is what I usually do. Also, thru my body language and eye contact I "direct" the conversation towards the person involved.

Good question. In most of my assignments, there is only one Deaf consumer, or married couples with compatible styles, so not a problem. However, sometimes when I interpret at my church, there will be two or more Deaf consumers with "opposing" language needs. One wants full English signing and full mouthing of every word. The other wants ASL, and no "lip-flapping". If the two people are flexible, I can use PSE with some mouthing. Neither one is totally satisfied but with one terp only, do-do?

If one is not flexible, then that one usually doesn't come back. I really regret that but I don't know how to solve that situation.

Mookie

Not really, the deaf customers have right to tell interpreters to stand up so that he/she can see clearly what the hearing speaker/professor speaks. Maybe the deaf student can not see blackboard that she/he stands in front of him/her. I know it may be dumb to request interpreter to stand but she/he has to follow customer's wish.

One time, interpreter came for the mandatory staff meeting at 8AM. He could not sign very well while his eyes were getting too tired. (You probably guessed that he stayed up all nite long). I ordered him to stand up and interpeted very well...

I have right to contact interpreting agency why the interpreters arrived late. My bosses would not pleasure to wait for the interpeters while I conduct the meeting for them and whole staff. Yeah, it is very embrassment for me while they are waiting for the interpreters to show up. 95 employees plus another teleconferences with another 100 employees at offsites waited for 10 minutes. That is not a very great professional manner for the temps to show up late....

About university class, I already told the campus manager that I have right to cancel the interpreters if i may not come to class. The temp may leave in an hour, according to the contract. Any professor can not grant temps the permisson to leave the class that I could not be in class. Why? I come to class after work. There may be heavy traffic or I may be coming late due to my personal reason. I only take 4.5 hours class once a week (not MWF or TR). One of the terps decided to leave the class but I caught him why he left. He said that he already waited 15 minutes that I did not show up. I told him that he should waited for an hour not 15 minutes, and this is not a community collge with deaf program. I also told him that if he did again, I can contact the campus manager for the breach the contract.

Liebling:-)))

wow Mookie...

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LinuxGold

Gee, I can see *VERY* aggressive deaf client.

Interpretrator

Even at the community colleges where I have interpreted, we are instructed to wait 10-15 minutes PER HOUR of class, so for a 4.5 hour class we would wait between 45 minutes and an hour or so. Maybe that terp misssed the "per hour" part of the instructions!

As far as interpreting "extraneous" information, like gossiping and so forth, what I usually do is ask the deaf person if he is interested. That way if he doesn't care, I don't have to interpret it, and if he does, he gets to be involved. This may sound lazy but the reason I started doing this is because I used to interpret EV-ER-Y-THING I heard, and I noticed the deaf person trying to be polite and pay attention but was obviously not interested. So that time I asked, and he told me please not to bother. Roll call in class is a good example. Some students want to see all the names spelled out. Others give me the "are you crazy?" look when I ask if they want to see it. So I'd rather save my hand if they don't care!

I agree it is very nice to have the opportunity to chat with a new client before the appointment -- especially, like Reba said, to get a feel for that person's language and preference. A related wishlist thing, which can be kind of touchy, is breaks. Although I like to socialize as much as possible, I really need my breaks! I hate to have to tell someone outright "I can't chat with you right now" so to make sure I get my required downtime during a class or meeting break I usually make sure that the deaf person doesn't need any further interpreting for the moment (for example, questions to the teacher) and then I just leave the area and get that downtime. I know some interpreters feel bad "leaving" the deaf person alone without anyone to sign with, but personally I know it's a choice between staying there and then burning out later, and I'd rather be able to do the job the best I can and THEN, hopefully, have some social time afterwards.

Interpretrator

If I had a student who required I stand up the entire time for a four-hour class, honestly I would ask to be moved out of that class. I don't mean this in a hostile way. I know some interpreters who PREFER to stand and they would be better suited for that situation. But I get very bad lower back pain from standing and interpreting for long periods of time (oddly, it doesn't happen when I'm just SIGNING!) and if the only solution for the deaf student were "interpreter must stand," then I'd just trade with another interpreter.

Definitely there have been some classes, like phys ed or art, where it is totally infeasible to sit. I don't have a problem with that. And of course I've done platform interpreting where there is no option to sit. But if it is a traditional classroom setting, I won't stand for it! (ha ha...)

Mookie

Umm, I have never ordered the temps to stand whole 4-hour course. There would be plenty of available chairs.

Unless there are some problems, such as temp blocking views on the blackboard/projector, individual speaking too low, excessive exhaustion while sitting, I would request the temp to stand temporarily...

Mookie

Why not...don't you want to let deaf individual climbing ladder of the career?

Business is making good profits.

````

If the interpter contantly shows up late for the meeting, the deaf client prossibly is not gonna to gain the million dollars contract....

LinuxGold

I'm not saying that "aggressive" as into bad thing. If I weren't aggressive, then I wouldn't be working as a Database Programmer

Reba

I think the preferred word is "assertive".

Reba

Those are the agreed upon terms for hiring interpreters.

Who do you think should pay the interpreters for last-minute cancelled appointments?

LinuxGold

Thanks for correcting me.

Reba

I hope there are potty breaks during those four hours, too!

In some classrooms where I work, there are no extra chairs. None! If I get there before the instructor, I take his/her chair. If not, I stroll down the hallway until I find an empty classroom, and take one of their chairs.

In one lab situation, I had to bring my own stool from home. Even wearing orthopaedic "granny" shoes, I can't stand for four hours without a break.