VRS Interpreters

interpreter · 06-28-2007, 12:00 PM

Any vrs interpreters here? I am starting training next week and would like some feedback about the job.

Thanks!

Tousi · 06-28-2007, 04:30 PM

I'd contribute something 'cept I might get called snotty, wrong, etc, etc. Lol....

Reba · 06-28-2007, 04:54 PM

Not you, Tousi!

terp · 06-28-2007, 08:52 PM

Oh, boy...something went on here today! LOL

However, I'd like to hear about vrs interpreting.

terp · 06-28-2007, 09:03 PM

Oh, sorry...I just found this website this evening. Would love to get to know other terps.

Etoile · 06-29-2007, 01:43 AM

Yes, I am a VRS terp. I am pretty new at it myself so I am still learning the ropes but it is a nice change after 5 years of community interpreting. The most important thing I have learned so far is: If the communication was successful, you did your job. Meaning that if the person making the phone call got what they wanted, you did a good job. Don't worry about not interpreting perfectly. The people don't know who you are, and once a call is over you can forget all about it. If you mess up, life goes on. You can always call a team if you need it. But remember to focus on getting the message across. VRS is about functional equivalency. If the person calling for pizza used a bunch of strange signs for mushrooms and onions and extra cheese, and you had to ask for clarification a million times, but the delivery guy showed up with a mushrooms, onions, and extra cheese pizza...then you did a good job!

terp · 06-29-2007, 06:28 AM

Thank you!

What do you do if the called is being mean to you? Have you ever had someone do something inappropriate on camera?

Etoile · 06-29-2007, 06:55 AM

There are definitely mean callers. You just have to smile and place their call. It's almost never personal, they're just mad at a previous negative experience. If they are making it personal and about you, you just sweetly offer to transfer them to another interpreter. (I am pretty sure all VRS companies have that option for the terp.) If the person is truly abusive, you should usually file a report just so you have yourself covered in case they want to complain to your company.

Recently I had someone call in, and when they came up on my screen, they gave me the finger and immediately disconnected. I just had to laugh, shrug it off, and go on to the next call.

I've never had anything inappropriate, but it does happen. People are often in their homes when they call, and we are basically looking into their homes. Sometimes they are just in their underwear (which is allowed, just weird) but sometimes they flash the terp - which is not okay, and you file a report for that. If somebody tries to pick you up, asks for your phone number, etc. you just have to say "sorry, I can't give out that information."

deafclimber · 06-29-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

There are definitely mean callers. You just have to smile and place their call. It's almost never personal, they're just mad at a previous negative experience. If they are making it personal and about you, you just sweetly offer to transfer them to another interpreter. (I am pretty sure all VRS companies have that option for the terp.) If the person is truly abusive, you should usually file a report just so you have yourself covered in case they want to complain to your company.

Recently I had someone call in, and when they came up on my screen, they gave me the finger and immediately disconnected. I just had to laugh, shrug it off, and go on to the next call.

I've never had anything inappropriate, but it does happen. People are often in their homes when they call, and we are basically looking into their homes. Sometimes they are just in their underwear (which is allowed, just weird) but sometimes they flash the terp - which is not okay, and you file a report for that. If somebody tries to pick you up, asks for your phone number, etc. you just have to say "sorry, I can't give out that information."

yup, that does happen sometimes. my wife told me like sometimes some deafies hangs up on her for no reason even through they never meet each other and she keeps moving on. maybe her red hair freaks some of deaf callers out cuz she is too strong irish gal for them ? ;D

besemiasno · 06-29-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by interpreter

Any vrs interpreters here? I am starting training next week and would like some feedback about the job.

Thanks!

If you're working for Sorenson, you're shit out of luck in finding a better paying VRS.

Etoile · 06-29-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by besemiasno

If you're working for Sorenson, you're shit out of luck in finding a better paying VRS.

I totally agree.

Freedym · 07-04-2007, 01:09 AM

Love to hear more...I just got hires and will start on VRS...thanks for the information MORE MORE MORE....

~Peace

Etoile · 07-04-2007, 10:49 AM

Whenever somebody calls in with a really good connection, I think "yay, I can see you!" Whenever somebody calls in with a bad connection, slow and choppy, I think "oh no, this is going to suck."

You spend a lot of time on hold for various companies...the cable company, tech support, the phone company, etc.

Deafilmedia · 07-04-2007, 11:13 AM

yeah on IP-Relay.... a relay opr said, "oh I know you, smile."

She remember my name, and other personal information...
and she knew who I wanted to call, cause she got familiar with the phone
number I gave her.

Silentwolfdog · 07-07-2007, 01:31 AM

What do you do if you witness something awful such as murder or abusive activity occurring? Do you still report even though you are swore not to tell (I am not sure if they are supposed to keep conversation a secret).

terp · 07-07-2007, 07:31 AM

you are to report abuse if you see it happen before or after the call, but not during. If you do see it happening during, you are to call for another terp for a second pair of eyes to witness it. Or you call the manager to help.

Etoile · 07-07-2007, 10:40 AM

Also, on the terp software program that we use, there is a place for us to mark if abuse was witnessed. So there is already a way for us to report it if we see it. And yes, I would definitely call a team over to witness it with me. Same with a 911 call, if a deaf person calls 911, you call a team terp over immediately.

HoHGuyOhio · 07-16-2007, 11:16 AM

Wow. I'm seeing a lot of proprietary information being shared. Careful.

SJKA · 07-26-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by besemiasno

If you're working for Sorenson, you're shit out of luck in finding a better paying VRS.

what about snapvrs i know it work for ojo... but it does work any vp.. if yall already know or not.. check it out Snap!VRS Video Relay Services | Sign Language Telephone Communication use for ip address more fast

navyman · 08-06-2007, 07:54 PM

Like most Deafies, I'm a big fan of VRS. I also use VCO while making calls. How do VRS interpreters like handling VCO calls? Easier? Harder? Is it a nice break not having to do voice reversing?

Etoile · 08-06-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navyman

Like most Deafies, I'm a big fan of VRS. I also use VCO while making calls. How do VRS interpreters like handling VCO calls? Easier? Harder? Is it a nice break not having to do voice reversing?

I like handling VCO calls. They are a bit easier, but mostly it's because it is something different! Anytime a call is unusual, it is fun. Most calls are normal everyday stuff...call the doctor, call tech support, call about my bill...so anything out of the ordinary is fun. And there are very few VCO calls, so it is fun.

I also like that with VCO I don't have to explain relay, because the hearing person doesn't know that relay is being used! Not a lot of hearing people are familiar with relay, especially video relay, so it is easier for me if I don't have to say the stuff about "are you familiar with video relay" and "I'm interpreting the call" and everything. MOST of the time it works the same way when a hearing person calls a deaf person...they already know they are talking to a relay operator and I don't have to explain to them. Some hearing people don't know about it though, and they ask why they have to call the different phone number, etc.

So yes I like VCO, it is easier and fun!

ismi · 08-06-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

I like handling VCO calls. They are a bit easier, but mostly it's because it is something different! Anytime a call is unusual, it is fun. Most calls are normal everyday stuff...call the doctor, call tech support, call about my bill...so anything out of the ordinary is fun. And there are very few VCO calls, so it is fun.

This raises a question I've been wondering about for a while. Do any of the VRS companies do a combination HCO/VCO service, something like Captel but with VPs?

Etoile · 08-07-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ismi

This raises a question I've been wondering about for a while. Do any of the VRS companies do a combination HCO/VCO service, something like Captel but with VPs?

I don't think there are any VRS companies that offer HCO, I have not heard of any of them that do!

Terpreter · 10-18-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by besemiasno

If you're working for Sorenson, you're shit out of luck in finding a better paying VRS.

Maybe back in the old days, sure. Not anymore.

Terpreter · 10-18-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navyman

Like most Deafies, I'm a big fan of VRS. I also use VCO while making calls. How do VRS interpreters like handling VCO calls? Easier? Harder? Is it a nice break not having to do voice reversing?

I usually like it. Sometimes I don't when the person is very hard to understand, and the hearing person really doesn't understand them either; especially if they're calling a business and it's not a personal phone call to family/friends.

It also complicates things when the deaf person signs, in the middle of a VCO call, "talk for me" and out of the blue I have to start voicing. The hearing person usually gets VERY confused then, if it's not a family member or someone who is used to the deaf/hoh person & knows they're using relay.

Ooh, or when it's someone who doesn't need our signing services, but wants to be connected internationally to someone else on the taxpayers' dime.

06-28-2007, 12:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
interpreter CI & CT Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 31	VRS Interpreters Any vrs interpreters here? I am starting training next week and would like some feedback about the job. Thanks!

07-07-2007, 01:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
Silentwolfdog a toku fangirl Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 689	What do you do if you witness something awful such as murder or abusive activity occurring? Do you still report even though you are swore not to tell (I am not sure if they are supposed to keep conversation a secret). __________________ If you are using red or blue font, there's a good chance that I am not reading your posts due to it being blended into background! I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. ~Sarah William Check my art at http://silentwolfdog.deviantart.com

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06-28-2007, 04:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,144	I'd contribute something 'cept I might get called snotty, wrong, etc, etc. Lol....

06-28-2007, 04:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Reba Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 16,091	Not you, Tousi!

06-28-2007, 08:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
terp signlanguageterp Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	Oh, boy...something went on here today! LOL However, I'd like to hear about vrs interpreting.

06-28-2007, 09:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
terp signlanguageterp Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	Oh, sorry...I just found this website this evening. Would love to get to know other terps.

06-29-2007, 01:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Etoile HOH terp Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 872	Yes, I am a VRS terp. I am pretty new at it myself so I am still learning the ropes but it is a nice change after 5 years of community interpreting. The most important thing I have learned so far is: If the communication was successful, you did your job. Meaning that if the person making the phone call got what they wanted, you did a good job. Don't worry about not interpreting perfectly. The people don't know who you are, and once a call is over you can forget all about it. If you mess up, life goes on. You can always call a team if you need it. But remember to focus on getting the message across. VRS is about functional equivalency. If the person calling for pizza used a bunch of strange signs for mushrooms and onions and extra cheese, and you had to ask for clarification a million times, but the delivery guy showed up with a mushrooms, onions, and extra cheese pizza...then you did a good job!

06-29-2007, 06:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
terp signlanguageterp Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	Thank you! What do you do if the called is being mean to you? Have you ever had someone do something inappropriate on camera?

06-29-2007, 06:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
Etoile HOH terp Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 872	There are definitely mean callers. You just have to smile and place their call. It's almost never personal, they're just mad at a previous negative experience. If they are making it personal and about you, you just sweetly offer to transfer them to another interpreter. (I am pretty sure all VRS companies have that option for the terp.) If the person is truly abusive, you should usually file a report just so you have yourself covered in case they want to complain to your company. Recently I had someone call in, and when they came up on my screen, they gave me the finger and immediately disconnected. I just had to laugh, shrug it off, and go on to the next call. I've never had anything inappropriate, but it does happen. People are often in their homes when they call, and we are basically looking into their homes. Sometimes they are just in their underwear (which is allowed, just weird) but sometimes they flash the terp - which is not okay, and you file a report for that. If somebody tries to pick you up, asks for your phone number, etc. you just have to say "sorry, I can't give out that information."

07-04-2007, 01:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
Freedym Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2	Love to hear more...I just got hires and will start on VRS...thanks for the information MORE MORE MORE.... ~Peace

07-04-2007, 10:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
Etoile HOH terp Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 872	Whenever somebody calls in with a really good connection, I think "yay, I can see you!" Whenever somebody calls in with a bad connection, slow and choppy, I think "oh no, this is going to suck." You spend a lot of time on hold for various companies...the cable company, tech support, the phone company, etc.

07-04-2007, 11:13 AM	#14 (permalink)
Deafilmedia Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,579	yeah on IP-Relay.... a relay opr said, "oh I know you, smile." She remember my name, and other personal information... and she knew who I wanted to call, cause she got familiar with the phone number I gave her.

07-07-2007, 07:31 AM	#16 (permalink)
terp signlanguageterp Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	you are to report abuse if you see it happen before or after the call, but not during. If you do see it happening during, you are to call for another terp for a second pair of eyes to witness it. Or you call the manager to help.

07-07-2007, 10:40 AM	#17 (permalink)
Etoile HOH terp Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 872	Also, on the terp software program that we use, there is a place for us to mark if abuse was witnessed. So there is already a way for us to report it if we see it. And yes, I would definitely call a team over to witness it with me. Same with a 911 call, if a deaf person calls 911, you call a team terp over immediately.

07-16-2007, 11:16 AM	#18 (permalink)
HoHGuyOhio Certified Interpreter Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 165	Wow. I'm seeing a lot of proprietary information being shared. Careful.

08-06-2007, 07:54 PM	#20 (permalink)
navyman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 101	Like most Deafies, I'm a big fan of VRS. I also use VCO while making calls. How do VRS interpreters like handling VCO calls? Easier? Harder? Is it a nice break not having to do voice reversing?